Highly selective conversion of diols into aldehydes for the purification of ethylene glycol with a self-adjusting coupling reactor

A coupling reactor was designed to convert 1,2-propanediol and 1,2-butanediol in ethylene glycol, followed by hydrolysis of acetals and regeneration of ethylene glycol. The recovery of ethylene glycol and the selectivity to aldehydes were up to 75% and 86% due to this coupling effect. A coupling reactor was designed to convert 1,2-propanediol and 1,2-butanediol in ethylene glycol, followed by hydrolysis of acetals and regeneration of ethylene glycol.