HOMOGENOUS PROCESS FOR THE HYDROGENATION OF CARBOXYLIC ACIDS AND DERIVATIVES THEREOF
(19)AUSTRALIAN PATENT OFFICE(54)TitleHOMOGENOUS PROCESS FOR THE HYDROGENATION OF CARBOXYLIC ACIDS ANDDERIVATIVES THEREOF (51)6 International Patent Classification(s) C07C 027/04 B01J 031/40 C07C 029/149(21) Application No: 2003229955 (22) Application Date: 2003.04.29(87) WIPONo: WO03/093208 (30) Priority Data (31) Number (32) Date (33) Country0210143.4 2002.05.02GB(43) Publication Date : 2003.11.17(43) Publication Journal Date : 2004.01.08(71)Applicant(s)DAVY PROCESS TECHNOLOGY LIMI1 bD(72) Inventor(s) KILNER, Melvyn; TYERS, Derek, Vincent; CRABTREE, Simon, Peter; WOOD, Michael,Anthony (H) Application NoAU2003229955 A1(19)AUSTRALIAN PATENT OFFICE(54)TitleHOMOGENOUS PROCESS FOR THE HYDROGENATION OF CARBOXYLIC ACIDS ANDDERIVATIVES THEREOF (51)6 International Patent Classification(s) C07C 027/04 B01J 031/40 C07C 029/149(21) Application No: 2003229955 (22) Application Date: 2003.04.29(87) WIPONo: WO03/093208 (30) Priority Data (31) Number (32) Date (33) Country0210143.4 2002.05.02GB(43) Publication Date : 2003.11.17(43) Publication Journal Date : 2004.01.08(71)Applicant(s)DAVY PROCESS TECHNOLOGY LIMI1 bD(72) Inventor(s) KILNER, Melvyn; TYERS, Derek, Vincent; CRABTREE, Simon, Peter; WOOD, Michael,Anthony A process for regenerating a catalyst comprising ruthenium, rhodium, iron, osmium or palladium and an organic phosphine is described in which the regeneration is carried out in the presence of hydrogen and water. 2003229955 03M2013 The claims defining the invention arc as follows: 1. A homogeneous process for the hydrogenation of carboxylic acids and/or derivatives thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising: (a) ruthenium, rhodium, iron, osmium or palladium; and (b) an organic phosphine; wherein the hydrogenation is carried out in. the preseuce of more Qian 1% by weight water. 2. A homogeneous process according to Claim 1 wherein the carboxylic acids and/or derivatives thereof are present as solvent. 3. A homogeneous process according to Claim 1 wherein a solvent is present and die water is present as an additive therein. 4. A homogeneous process according to Cla im 3 wherein die water is present in an amount of more than Wo to the solubility limit of die water, in the solvent 5. A homogeneous process according to Claim 3 wherein the water is present in an amounL greater than the solubility limit of the water in the solvent and die excess water forms an aqueous phase. 6. A homogeneous process according to Claim 1 wherein water is generated in situ. 7. A homogeneous process according to Claim 2 wherein die product of the reaction forms the solvent 8. A homogeneous process according to Claim 1 wherein the water is a solvent for the reaction. 9. A homogeneous process according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein the catalyst is a ruthcnium/phosphinc catalyst system 10. A homogeneous process according to Claim 9 wherein die phosphine component of the catalyst system is a tridentate phosphine. 11. A homogeneous process according to any one of Claims 1 to 10 wherein the phosphine component of the catalyst system is tris-l,l,l-(diphenylphosphinomethyl)ethane, 12. A homogeneous process according to any one of Claims 1 to 1 1 wherein the reaction is carried out in the absence of a promotor for the catalyst. 13. A homogeneous process according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 wherein the reaction is carried out in the absence of halide, cDAV05l04.amd. 16 April 2013 J7 2003229955 03M2013 14. A homogeneous process according to any one of Claims 1 Lo 1 3 wherein the reaction temperature is in the range of from about 1 50°C to about 350°C. 15. A homogeneous process according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 wherein the reaction pressure is in the range of from about 250 psig to about 2000 psig. 16. A homogeneous process according to Claim 10 wherein the pressure is Irorn about $00 psig Lo about 1200 psig. 17. A homogeneous process according to any one of Claims 1 to 1 6 wherein the catalyst is regenerated in the presence of tire water and hydrogen. 1 $. A homogeneous process for the hydrogenacion of carboxylic acids and/or derivatives thereof as hereinbefore described with reference to the examples.