Main-Product

Ethylene Glycol is conventionally produced from Ethylene in a two-step Process via the intermediate Ethylene Oxide obtained by Oxidation of Ethylene. Subsequently, Ethylene Oxide is Hydrolized to produce Ethylene Glycol. The major Byproducts are Oligomers: Diethylene Glycol, Triethylene Glycol, and Tetraethylene Glycol.

Ethylene Oxide can also be selectively converted into Ethylene Oxide by Carbonylation into intermediate Ethylene Carbonate that is subsequently Hydrodecarbonized into Ethylene Oxide.

Syngas is a more recent alternative Feedstock for the Production of Ethylene Glycol such as via the Dimethyl Oxalate or Glycolic Acid Intermediates.   

Figure 1: Different Process Routes for Producing Ethylene Oxide (only Reactants and Products are shown, but not the Stoechiometric ratio), [M]: Metal Catalyst,
Orange Color: Reactants, Blue Color: Substrates and Intermediates, Green Color: Product  

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