1,4-butanediol : industrial synthetic route Order Now : (paperback) → https://amz.run/5A69 The “Handbook for Chemical Engineers and Entrepreneurs” is part of Chemiprobe project that aims to visualize the chemical value chain and turn chemical engineers into «chempreneurs» pursuing clear opportunities in commodities and fine chemicals. https://www.chemiprobe.com

1. This handbook is invaluable
to unfold the chemical value
chain in case you were a
process designing chemical
engineer, or an entrepreneur
pursuing an opportunity in
the chemical market.
Hint : chemical price
analysis requires
comprehensive
understanding of the
production process,
precursors and products
along the value chain.
The “Handbook for Chemical Engineers and
Entrepreneurs” is part of Chemiprobe project that aims to
visualize the chemical value chain and turn chemical
engineers into «chempreneurs» pursuing clear
opportunities in commodities and fine chemicals.
Order Now : (paperback) → https://amz.run/5A69
https://www.chemiprobe.com

2. How To Use This Handbook
This handbook does not requires you to start at the top of
the table of contents and linearly work your way through
to the end; although that may be essential to gain
perspective about commodity chemicals including
petrochemicals, inorganics, and bio-refinery chemicals.
The chemical finder can be used to find a specific
chemical, very much like most indexes in which chemicals
are listed in alphabetical order. On the other hand, the
table of contents lists chemicals with reference to position
along the chemical value chain that is further illustrated
using diagrams. For each chemical in this handbook, you
will find :
- common name, synonyms, chemical structure
- phrases describing appearance and odor (25 °C , atm)
- relative density, melting point, and boiling point
- safety diamond (NFPA 704 for additional notes)
- applications, submarkets, color code
- industrial synthetic route (reaction)
- process description and simplified flow diagrams
commodity chemical production
direct use (no reaction)
formulation and mixing use (no reaction)
fuel, energy , flue gas treatment , heat transfer fluids
plastics and resins
synthetic rubber
polymeric foam , ploymeric fiber
fine chemical synthesis (general)
fine chemical synthesis (pharmaceuticals)
fine chemical synthesis (agrochemicals-pesticides)
production (agrochemicals-fertilizer)

3. Process Description
Production is based on catalytic reaction of acetylene and
aqueous formaldehyde over heterogenous catalyst composed
of copper oxide. The reaction is carried out inside packed bed
reactor or cascade of multiple reactors to achieve higher
conversion.Optimum temperature range (80 ºC – 100 ºC) and
pressure in the range of (3 bar – 6 bar). Precautions required
for handling acetylene within such pressure range.
After leaving the reactor, the effluent is cooled and sent to
phase separator, vapor phase containing traces of unreacted
acetylene is recycled, the liquid phase containing butynediol is
separated through distillation, not difficult because of the
comparatively distinctive boiling points.
common name butynediol
Appearance 25 °C , atm
white crystalline solid
-- hygroscopic odorless
Relative Density 1.10 * (H2O = 1)
Melting Point - 050
Boiling Point - 238
Flash Point - 128
Synonyms 1,4-butynediol
intermediate butenediol , butanediol

5. Process Description
Production is based on catalytic hydrogenation of butynediol
over heterogenous catalyst composed of nickel or palladium.
The reaction is carried out inside packed bed reactor or
cascade of multiple reactors in case butanediol product is
desired. Optimum temperature range (80 ºC – 160 ºC) and
pressure in the range 40 bar. After leaving the reactor, the
effluent is cooled and sent to phase separator, vapor phase
containing traces of unreacted hydrogen is recycled, the liquid
phase containing butenediol is recycled in case butanediol
product is desired or separated through distillation.
common name butenediol
Appearance 25 °C , atm
colorless hygroscopic liquid
-- -- odorless
Relative Density 1.07 * (H2O = 1)
Melting Point - 007
Boiling Point - 141
Flash Point - 128
Synonyms 1,4-butenediol
intermediate butanediol
common name butanediol
Appearance 25 °C , atm
colorless hygroscopic liquid
-- -- odorless
Relative Density 1.02 * (H2O = 1)
Melting Point - 020
Boiling Point - 230
Flash Point - 121
Synonyms 1,4-butanediol
intermediate butyrlactone , tetrahydrofuran
specialty solvent industrial operations
plasticizers polymer additives
fine chemicals pharmaceuticals

7. Process Description
Production is based on catalytic dehydrogenation of butanediol
over heterogeneous copper catalyst. The raw material is
butanediol that is vaporized, mixed with hydrogen for heat
utilization purpose and sent to the reactor.
The reaction is carried out in the gas phase inside packed bed
reactor. Optimum temperature range (180 ºC – 240 ºC) and
pressure in the atmospheric range. After leaving the reactor,
the effluent is further cooled and sent to phase separator, the
vapor phase containing hydrogen is sent to the vaporizer to
enhance heat transfer.
The liquid phase is separated using distillation, not difficult
because of the comparatively distinctive boiling points of
butyrolactone product and byproducts such as butyric acid.
common name butyrlactone
Appearance 25 °C , atm
colorless hygroscopic liquid
pleasant faint odor
Relative Density 1.13 * (H2O = 1)
Melting Point - 045
Boiling Point - 204
Flash Point - 098
Synonyms gamma-butyrlactone
specialty solvent industrial operations
fine chemicals agrochemicals - pesticides
fine chemicals pharmaceuticals

9. Alternative Process : Maleic Anhydride Hydrogenation
Production is based on catalytic hydrogenation of maleic
anhydride over heterogeneous catalyst composed of nickel.
The raw material is maleic anhydride that is vaporized, mixed
with hydrogen for reaction and heat utilization purpose and
sent to the reactor.
The reaction is carried out in the gas phase inside packed bed
reactor. Optimum temperature range (180 ºC – 240 ºC) and
pressure in the range of (60 bar – 120 bar). After leaving the
reactor, the effluent is further cooled and sent to phase
separator, the vapor phase containing excess hydrogen is
vented or recycled.
The liquid phase is separated using distillation, not difficult
because of the comparatively distinctive boiling points of
butyrolactone product and byproducts such as traces of
propionic and butyric acid.