Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for preparing polymethylol compounds of the formula (I) in which R is in each case independently a further methylol group or an alkyl group having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms or an aryl or aralkyl group having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms, by condensing aldehydes having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms in an aldol reaction with formaldehyde using tertiary amines as a catalyst to give alkanals of the formula (II) in which R is in each case independently as defined above, and the subsequent hydrogenation thereof. What is special and inventive about this process is that the aldol reaction is carried out with an aqueous formaldehyde solution having a formic acid content of
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for preparing polymethylol compounds of the formula (I) in which R is in each case independently a further methylol group or an alkyl group having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms or an aryl or aralkyl group having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms, by condensing aldehydes having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms in an aldol reaction with formaldehyde using tertiary amines as a catalyst to give alkanals of the formula (II) in which R is in each case independently as defined above, and the subsequent hydrogenation thereof. What is special and inventive about this process is that the aldol reaction is carried out with an aqueous formaldehyde solution having a formic acid content of