. . . "The reaction of the invention can be represented by the following equation: wherein R is an alkyl radical, and preferably a lower Raney nickel catalyst. 3,190,928 Patented June 22, 1965 alkyl radical having '1 to 8 carbon atoms., The dione, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanedione, is hydrogenated to the corresponding diol in particularly high yields in accordance with the present process." .