Abstract: A multistaged fixed catalyst bed process for the production of diisopropyl ether and isopropanol is disclosed comprising a fixed bed of serially connected stages containing zeolite Beta catalyst. A feedstream of propylene and water equivalents selected from the group consisting of water, isopropanol and diisopropyl ether is introduced into each stage at a rate sufficient to provide a mole ratio of water equivalents to propylene equivalents that increases in increments by stage from at least 0.1 in a first stage to at most 1.2 in a final stage. The feedstream is introduced at a temperature between 50.degree. and 450.degree. C., pressure between 700 and 24000 kPa, and weight hourly space velocity between 0.10 and 30, based on catalyst, whereby a single non-aqueous liquid phase is maintained in the fixed bed. An effluent product stream is recovered comprising diisopropyl ether, isopropanol and water from the final stage. Isopropanol is recycled to the first stage when the preferred product is diisopropyl ether.

Abstract: A fluorination catalyst comprising indium, chromium, oxygen and fluorine as essential constituent elements thereof. The catalyst is prepared by fluorinating a catalyst precursor comprising indium and chromium elements by bringing it into contact with hydrogen fluoride or a fluorine-containing halogenated hydrocarbon at a temperature of 300.degree. to 500.degree. C. A halogenated hydrocarbon is fluorinated by bringing it into contact with hydrogen fluoride in a gaseous phase in the presence of the catalyst.

Abstract: A method of controlling the build-up of organic and/or inorganic contaminants (e.g., carbonates, nitrates, nitrites, and the like) in an aqueous process stream, comprising directing at least some of the contaminated stream to a heating means wherein at least some of the contaminants are decomposed. Thereafter, the decomposition products are removed and the purified stream is returned to the process. In a preferred embodiment, the process is an alkylene oxide manufacturing process, and the contaminated aqueous stream is the effluent from a catalyzed scrubbing system for removal of carbon dioxide. Organic contaminants are decomposed to carbon dioxide, which is flashed off; inorganic salts which are decomposed to gases are flashed off; inorganic salts which are not converted to gases are scrubbed out.

Abstract: Described is a method for the purification of perfluorocarbons, or mixtures of perfluorocarbons, having impurities containing hydrogen and/or carbon-carbon double bonds. The impure perfluorocarbons or perfluorocarbon mixtures are reacted with strong aqueous bases in the presence of Ca.sup.2+ or Ba.sup.2+ ions and alcoholate ions together with secondary amines.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of branched C.sub.4+ oxygenates from lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and mixtures thereof. The process comprises contacting the lower alcohols with a solid catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide support having components selected from the group consisting of oxides of zinc, magnesium, zirconia, titanium, manganese, chromium, and lanthanides, and an activation metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIII metal, Group IB metals, and mixtures thereof. The advantage of the process is improved yields and selectivity to isobutanol which can subsequently be employed in the production of high octane motor gasoline.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering ethylene oxide comprising the steps of:bringing a mixed gas containing ethylene oxide into contact with an absorbent so as to cause the absorbent to absorb the ethylene oxide; andstripping and separating said ethylene oxide to recover it from the absorbent, where the absorbent contains propylene carbonate. By employing the present invention, it is possible to reduce the heat recovery loss resulting from cooling the absorbent at the time of transfer from the stripping step to the absorption step, to about one-third that compared with a conventional system using water, without producing the by-product ethylene glycol.

Abstract: A compound represented by formula I, Ar.sub.1 --O--M--O--Ar.sub.2, wherein Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.2 are independently substituted phenyl or substituted pyridinyl, the substituents on said phenyl or pyridinyl being independently selected from one, two or three of (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10) alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10) alkoxy, halogen, carbamyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10) alkoxycarbonyl, oxazoyl, and (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10) alkyl substituted by halogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10) alkoxy, hydroxy, or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.10) alkoxycarbonyl; ##STR1## O is oxygen; R' is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl or H; A is oxygen or sulfur; Q is selected from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkyl, (C.sub.1 C.sub.6) perhaloalkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) alkylthio (C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: A new 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane as a precursor of alternatives of refrigerants, etc.A method to obtain the target products at high yield and high selectivity by reacting tetrafluoroethylene and difluorodichloromethane under the Lewis acid catalyst to produce the new compound and an economical method in a continuous reaction state.A production method of 1,1,1,2,2,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane at high yield by reducing 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane.

Abstract: A method for producing an alcohol, which comprises reacting an aldehyde with hydrogen in a gas phase in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a corresponding saturated alcohol, wherein a reduced product of a catalyst precursor composition comprising components represented by the following formula (I):Cu(a)--Cr(b)--Zn(c)--Mn(d)--Ba(e)--X(f) (I)wherein X is a transition metal of Group 8 or 4A of thePeriodic Table, and a to f represent the contents of the respective components as converted to their oxides and have the following values:a: 20 to 50 wt %b: 0 to 50 wt %c: 0 to 50 wt %d: 0.1 to 5.0 wt %e: 0.1 to 5.0 wt %f: 0.01 to 3.0 wt %is used as the hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: Organic hydroperoxides are decomposed by drying a reaction mixture containing the organic hydroperoxide and an organic solvent such that said dried reaction mixture comprises approximately 1 weight percent or less of water and contacting the dried reaction mixture with a metal organic ligand catalyst under hydroperoxide decomposition conditions. An organic co-solvent for the hydroperoxide may also be used. Particularly effective catalysts are cobalt acetylacetonates and ruthenium acetylacetonates and combinations thereof.

Abstract: 1,1-difluoroethane is produced by the reaction of 1,2-dichloroethane with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in a liquid phase and in the presence of a Lewis acid. Preferably the Lewis acid is tin, antimony, titanium, molybdenum, tungsten, niobium or tantalum halide or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: In the Oxirane process for epoxide production, at least part of the alcohol formed during isobutane or isopentane peroxidation is replaced by an inert solvent such as decane.

Abstract: Highly active double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts are disclosed. The catalysts comprise a DMC complex, and organic complexing agent, and from about 5 to about 80 wt. %, based on the amount of catalyst, of a polyether having a number average molecular weight greater than about 500. A method of preparing the catalysts is also disclosed. The catalysts are easy to prepare, have exceptional activity, and are readily removed, if desired, from polymer products. The catalysts are used for polymerizing epoxides.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the two-stage hydrogenation of methyl esters which comprises: a) contacting and reacting one or more detergent range methyl esters with hydrogen under predominantly liquid phase hydrogenation conditions at a temperature of less than about 230.degree. C., in the presence of a catalyst comprising a copper compound, a zinc compound, and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zirconium, magnesium, a rare earth and mixtures thereof, to produce an alcohol product and a wax ester product, and b) contacting and reacting the wax ester product from step a) with hydrogen under predominantly liquid phase hydrogenation conditions at a temperature greater than about 220.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst comprising a copper compound, a zinc compound, and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zirconium, magnesium, a rare earth and mixtures thereof, to produce an alcohol product.

Abstract: A diol compound, for example, hexanediol, is produced with a high efficiency by esterifying a carboxylic acid mixture, collected from a reaction product mixture of a liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexane, with an esterifying agent and hydrogenate-decomposing the resultant esterification product mixture with hydrogen.

Abstract: 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutane is obtained from a trifluoroethane compound, by reacting this with hydrogen in the gas phase and without a diluent on a palladium- and/or nickel-containing supported catalyst and subsequently hydrogenating the reaction product.

Abstract: Gamma-butyrolactone is produced by catalytic hydrogenation of maleic anhydride in the vapor phase in the presence of copper chromite based catalysts in reduced form. The reaction is carried out using a substantially uniform catalyst derived substantially from the three components cupric oxide, chromic oxide, and silicon dioxide. The ratio of CuO to Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 to SiO.sub.2 is preferably about 78:20:2. It can prove advantageous to use an inert gas such as nitrogen as a diluent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cost effective and convenient process for the manufacture of fluorinated olefins of the formula RCF.sub.2 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 where R is C.sub.x Cl.sub.y F.sub.z and y+z=2x+1. The invention is also directed to a practical process for converting these olefins to hydrofluorocarbons via the catalyzed fluorination with hydrogen fluoride. Hydrofluorocarbons produced via this process have application as solvents among other uses.

Abstract: A process of preparing alkylene oxides comprises steps of: (1) optionally forming a hypochlorite solution; (2) contacting chlorine with a solution of a hypochlorite below about 60.degree. C., and a pH of less than about 5.5, with sufficient micromixing to achieve a product hypochlorous acid in a yield of at least about 80 percent; (3) separating at least a portion the hypochlorous acid from an aqueous metal chloride solution wherein the solution is sprayed as droplets; (4) distilling the remaining liquid phase; (5) absorbing the hypochlorous acid and dichlorine monoxide in low-chlorides water to produce a low-chlorides aqueous hypochlorous acid solution; (6) contacting the low-chlorides aqueous hypochlorous acid solution with an olefin in a continuous process to form a olefin chlorohydrin; (7) optionally contacting the olefin chlorohydrin with a base to form a alkylene oxide and a salt solution; and (8) optionally separating the alkylene oxide from the salt solution.

Abstract: A process for the selective hydrogenation of aromatic groups of organic molecules carrying at least one aromatic group and one epoxy group with hydrogen in the presence of a ruthenium-containing catalyst, in which a homogeneous ruthenium catalyst is used which can be prepared by reducing the ruthenium compound with a metal having a redox potential of from -0.75 to 2.5 V, a boron hydride, an aluminum hydride, an aluminum alkyl compound, a lithium alkyl compound, or a lithium aryl compound in the presence of an ether.