Process for the preparation of glyceraldehyde and derivatives thereof

The invention pertains to a process for the preparation of glyceraldehyde, or an acetal or a hemiacetal thereof, characterized in that 3-butene-1,2-diol is dissolved in a lower alkanol and is subjected to ozonolysis to obtain a 3-hydroperoxy-3-alkoxy-propane-1,2-diol, which is subjected to a reductive treatment to obtain a hemiacetal of glyceraldehyde, which optionally may be converted into glyceraldehyde or an acetal or hemiacetal thereof, and to a process wherein the hemiacetal of glyceraldehyde is converted to a 3-aminopropane-1,2-diol derivative, by subjecting the hemiacetal of glyceraldehyde to a reductive treatment in the presence of ammonia or a primary or secondary amine. Preferably, the hemiacetal of glyceraldehyde is subjected to a reductive treatment in the presence of an amine with the formula R1R2NH, wherein R1 and R2 independently are hydrogen or an alkyl group with 1-18 carbon atoms, or R1 and R2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded form a 5- or 6-membered ring, to give a compound with the formula R1R2N-CH2-CHOH-CH2OH, wherein R1 and R2 have the previously given meanings.