A process for the production of 1,4-butanediol is described. The process
comprises hydroformylating allyl alcohol in the presence of a solvent and
a catalyst system comprising a rhodium complex, a ruthenium complex and a
diphosphine ligand and hydrogenating the resulting 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde
using the same catalyst system. The process gives high yield of
1,4-butanediol compared to 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol.