Processes for producing branched compounds via condensation and hydrogenation

1. A process for producing branched compounds, comprising the steps of:

(a) condensing at a temperature from 210° C. to 250° C. a carbonyl compound comprising an aldehyde of the general formula (I):

R 1 CHO  (I)

wherein R 1 represents an alkyl group having from 6 to 12 carbons atoms, and/or a ketone of the general formula (II):

R 2 COR 3   (II)

wherein R 2 and R 3 each independently represent an alkyl group having from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, in the presence of an alkali metal base catalyst to form an α,β-unsaturated condensation product; and

(b) hydrogenating the α,β-unsaturated condensation product.

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the alkali metal base is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides and alkali metal carbonates.

3. The process according to claim 2 , wherein the alkali metal base is an alkali metal hydroxide.

4. The process according to claim 2 , wherein the alkali metal base is an alkali metal carbonate.

5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the carbonyl compound comprises a cyclic ketone.

6. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrogenation is carried out at temperature of from 20 to 350° C.

7. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper and zinc compounds.

8. The process according to claim 6 , wherein the hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper and zinc compounds.

9. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrogenation is carried out at a pressure of from 1 to 300 bar.

10. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising distilling the hydrogenated condensation product.

11. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the condensation is carried out in a heavy metal-free reaction medium.