Method for breakdown of formates
A process for decomposing formates in formate-containing compositions of matter comprises reacting formate-containing compositions of matter in the presence of at least one heterogeneous catalyst comprising lanthanum and at a temperature of from 80 to 180° C. and a pressure of from 0.1 to 60 bar, the formate-containing compositions of matter having a pH of from 6.5 to 10.
1. A process for decomposing formates in formate-containing compositions of matter, which comprises reacting formate-containing compositions of matter in the presence of at least one heterogeneous catalyst comprising lanthanum and at a temperature of from 80 to 180° C. and a pressure of from 0.1 to 60 bar,
wherein the formate-containing compositions of matter have a pH of from 6.5 to 10,
the catalyst is a lanthanum oxide/copper/copper oxide/aluminum oxide catalyst, comprising 4 to 15 wt % of lanthanum reckoned as La 2 O 3 and based on the total weight of the catalyst,
the formate-containing composition of matter comprises carbonyl compounds formed by an aldol reaction of alkanals with formaldehyde and/or their corresponding hydrogenation products, and
at least 50 wt % of formate is decomposed.
2. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the decomposition of the formates is effected in the presence of hydrogen.
3. The process as claimed claim 1 , wherein the decomposition of the formates is effected in the presence of a tertiary amine.
4. The process as claimed claim 1 , wherein the formate-containing composition of matter comprises compounds comprising at least two methylol groups.
5. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the formate-containing composition of matter comprises hydroxypivalaldehyde and neopentyl glycol.
6. The process as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the formate-containing composition of matter comprises hydroxypivalaldehyde and neopentyl glycol.
7. The process as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the formate-containing composition of matter comprises hydroxypivalaldehyde and neopentyl glycol.
8. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the catalyst consists of:
4 to 15 wt % of lanthanum oxide,
40 to 65 wt % of copper oxide,
15 to 30 wt % of aluminum oxide and
5 to 20 wt % of copper.
9. The process as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the catalyst consists of:
4 to 15 wt % of lanthanum oxide,
40 to 65 wt % of copper oxide,
15 to 30 wt % of aluminum oxide and
5 to 20 wt % of copper.
10. The process as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the catalyst consists of:
4 to 15 wt % of lanthanum oxide,
40 to 65 wt % of copper oxide,
15 to 30 wt % of aluminum oxide and
5 to 20 wt % of copper.