Process for the preparation of 15-pentadecanolide
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 15-pentadecanolide by hydrogenating 15-pentadecenolide and to its use.
1. A process for the preparation of 15-pentadecanolide by hydrogenating 15-pentadecen-11(12)-olide in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least one metal of subgroup 8 in elemental form, which is optionally applied to a support, wherein the weight ratio of metal to 15-pentadecen-11(12)-olide is below 1:20,000.
2. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the metal of subgroup 8 used is selected from the group consisting of palladium, platinum, ruthenium or rhodium.
3. A process according to claim 2 , wherein the metal used is palladium.
4. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the catalyst comprises at least one inorganic support material.
5. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the catalyst used is palladium on activated carbon.
6. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of amount of metal to 15-pentadecen-11(12)-olide is in the range 1:50,000 to 1:10,000,000.
7. A process according to claim 1 , wherein hydrogenation is carried out at temperatures in the range from 20 to 100° C.
8. A process according to claim 1 , wherein hydrogenation is carried out without a solvent.
9. A process according to claim 1 , wherein hydrogen pressure is 1 to 100 bar.
10. A process for the preparation of 15-pentadecanolide by hydrogenating 15-pentadecen-11(12)-olide in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least one metal from subgroup 8 in elemental form, which may be applied to a support, wherein the hydrogenation crude product has an acid number of at most 1.
11. A process according to claim 10 , wherein the hydrogenation crude product is not purified.