| abstract |
The invention relates to methods for producing 1,6-hexanediol and very pure e-caprolactone from a dicarboxylic acid solution (DCL), comprising steps (a) esterification of the DCL with alcohols, (b) partial catalytic hydrogenation of the esters, (c) separation by distillation of 1,6-hexanediol and low-boiling fractions as a top product, and (d) cyclization of the 6-hydroxycaproic acid ester contained in the bottom fraction in the presence of an alcohol boiling at a temperature exceeding the boiling point of caprolactane. |