1,4‐Butanediol from 1,3‐Butadiene

Oxidative acetoxylation of 1,3-butadiene to form 1,4-diacetoxy-2-butene, which is further converted to 1,4-butanediol, is the first heterogeneous liquid phase oxidation reaction in commercial scale. Features of the chemistry, catalyst, and process are reviewed in this chapter. The most important development for the 1,4-butanediol production is the Pd–Te–C catalyst that shows satisfactory activity and selectivity, preventing the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene derivatives and Pd leaching. This method enables us to utilize a petrochemical feedstock to produce 1,4-butanediol.