The synthesis of trimethylolethane using formaldehyde and propionaldehyde as material and a mixed solution of calcium hydroxide and a little triethylamine as catalyst is studied.The effects of the amount of calcium hydroxide,triethylamine,the ratio of reactants,reaction temperature and time are investigated.The optimum conditions are:the molar ratio of formaldehyde to propionaldehyde is 4.0∶1.0;calcium hydroxide to propionaldehyde is 1.2∶1.0;triethylamine to total material(formaldehyde and propionaldehyde) is 0.045∶1.0;temperature of condensation reaction is 25℃;condensation reaction time is 1.0 hour;temperature of Cannizzaro reaction is 35℃;Cannizzaro reaction time is 3.0 hours.The yield of trimethylolethane is 90.4%(based on propionaldehyde).Triethylamine can be recovered for reuse.
