To produce an alcohol in high yield by catalytically hydrogenating a specific aldehyde or a ketone in an aqueous solution or an organic solvent at a specified temperature under a specific hydrogen pressure using a specified ruthenium catalyst.
(B) An aldehyde (except 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde) or a ketone is catalytically hydrogenated in an aqueous solution or an organic solvent at 0-200°C temperature under 0.5-30 MPa H2 pressure while using (A) a ruthenium catalyst having 0.1-20 wt.% of ruthenium content and using the ruthenium on an oxide carrier (preferably TiO2 or SiO2) consisting of the group of TiO2, SiO2, ZrO2, MgO2, mixed oxides and silicic salts except zeolite as a catalyst. Furthermore, acetals and ketals which are by-products can be decomposed by conducting the above hydrogenation in the presence of an acidic catalyst.
JAEGER BERND DR
SAUER JOERG DR
VANHEERTUM RUDOLF DR
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