Abstract:
A process for the preparation of monohydric alcohols by contacting a monoolefin of 2-4 carbon atoms with an aqueous solution containing a heteropoly-acid ion, thereby subjecting the olefin to a hydration reaction, characterized in that said aqueous solution contains the heteropoly-acid ion in a concentration of at least 1/40,000 mol per liter and has a pH ranging from 2.0 to 4.5, and the aqueous solution is heated to a temperature sufficiently high for initiating the hydration reaction, while the free iron ion concentration therein is maintained at not higher than 10 ppm substantially throughout the whole hydration reaction period.