PROCESS FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OF 2-ETHYL HEXANOL

PROCESS FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OF 2-ETHYL HEXANOL An improvement in a process for preparing 2-ethyl hexanol wherein: A) One mole of n-butyraldehyde is condensed with another mole of n-butyraldehyde in a condensation zone in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide wherein there is . formed 2-ethyl hexenal and higher condensation products; B) The resultant product is contacted with water to separate alkali metal salts therefrom, an organic phase comprising 2-ethyl hexenal and higher condensation products is separated therefrom and unused alkali metal hydroxide is recycled to the condensation zone; C) The organic phase is separated in a separation zone into a 2-ethyl hexenal rich fraction and a residual fraction having a major amount of higher condensation product; D) The 2-ethyl hexenal rich fraction is introduced into a hydrogenation zone containing hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst and therein hydrogenated to 2-ethyl hexanol, the improvement residing in recycling to the condensation zone at least a portion of the residual fraction containing the major amount of higher condensation product.