Abstract: This invention concerns a process for the catalytic partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon feedstock. The process comprises contacting a feed mixture comprising the hydrocarbon feedstock and an oxygen-containing gas, which feed mixture also comprises nitrogen, with a catalyst capable of catalyzing the partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon feedstock, wherein the feed mixture also comprises a sulfur-containing compound. This process allows sulfur-containing hydrocarbon feedstocks to be processed without first undergoing a sulfur removal treatment. Accordingly, a process for the preparation of carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprises subjecting the hydrocarbon feedstock in a first stage to a catalytic partial oxidation process as described above and subjecting at least a portion of the product of the first stage in a second stage to a desulfurization process.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, tetraalkylbisphenols are prepared by biocatalytic dimerization of di-(lower alkyl)-substituted phenols in the presence of peroxidase enzyme and peroxide. Three reaction pathways to the desired diols are provided.

Abstract: Compounds having acidic protons and a molecular structure which can delocalize the electron density of the conjugate base (target compounds) are chlorinated by contacting such compounds with a perchloroalkane and aqueous base in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst which is an tetraalkylammonium hydroxide. Chlorinated products, preferably gem-dichloro compounds, are produced. The gem-dichloro compounds are useful for alkylation of aromatic compounds. For instance fluorene is chlorinated to form 9,9-dichlorofluorene which is reacted with such compounds as phenol or aniline to form such compounds as 9,9-bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, 9,9-bis(aminophenyl)fluorene, or 9-aminophenyl-9-chlorofluorene.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the molecular oxygen oxidation of a secondary alcohol such as isopropanol to hydrogen peroxide is provided.

Abstract: 1,3-propanediol is prepared in a process comprising the steps of:contacting ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an essentially non-water-miscible solvent in the presence of an effective amount of a non-phosphine-ligated cobalt catalyst and an effective amount of a lipophilic phenol at a temperature within the range of about 50.degree. to about 100.degree. C. and a pressure within the range of about 500 to about 5000 psig, under reaction conditions effective to produce an intermediate product mixture comprising less than about 15 wt % 3-hydroxypropanal;adding an aqueous liquid to said intermediate product mixture and extracting into said aqueous liquid at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C.

Abstract: Several Fischer-Tropsch reaction schemes using a promoted iron catalyst in a slurry reactor produce oxygenated naphtha and diesel fractions on distillation that reduce particulate emissions in diesel engines. High carbon conversion efficiencies and optimum chain growth are characteristics of the processes.

Abstract: Highly effective nematicides against pine wood nematodes containing chlorinated hydroxystilbene or salts thereof (preferably, 3',4'-Dichloro-3-hydroxystilbene and 3',5'-dichloro-3-hydroxystilbene) which are prepared by synthesizing chlorinated methoxystilbenes from chlorinated benzyl chloride compounds and methoxybenzaldehydes by the Wittig-Horner reaction, performing demethylation to obtain the chlorinated hydroxystilbenes, and preparing the salts thereof by conventional methods, if necessary.

Abstract: Technical cumylhydroperoxide of a wide composition range is cleaved in circulating reactors of a shell and tube design at the same elevated pressure as dicumyl peroxide is cleaved in a plug flow reactor with a recirculation ratio of at least 26. The cleavage process is controlled using two calorimeters and controlling the absolute .DELTA.T value which is the difference in the temperature drop between the two calorimeters.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of tetrabromobisphenol-A by the bromination of bisphenol-A, which process features: a water and water miscible solvent reaction medium; a relatively high reaction temperature; the presence, in the reaction medium, of unreacted Br.sub.2 during the feed of bisphenol-A to the reactor; and the oxidation of co-produced HBr to yield Br.sub.2.

Abstract: Bromochloro-alkanes are made by reaction of a corresponding chloroalkene with hydrogen bromide by a continuous process carried at -20.degree. to +20.degree. C., preferably in a gas-lift reactor.

Abstract: A process to obtain a product with a high zeaxanthin content, to be used mainly as an ingredient in poultry feed to enhance the pigmentation of broiler chickens and egg yolk, by reacting at a controlled temperature and pressure, marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) meal or its oleoresin, or formulations containing lutein, with strongly alkaline aqueous solutions under controlled conditions, to isomerize the luteine into zeaxanthin in a product with a higher pigmenting activity.

Abstract: This invention provides a purified retro-retinoid compound characterized by a molecular mass of about 302 daltons. Also provided by this invention is a method of enhancing the growth of a cell in a vitamin A reduced environment which comprises contacting the cell with an effective growth enhancing amount of a compound having a structure: ##STR1## wherein the configuration of the C6, C8, C10 and C12 double bond independently is Z or E and the absolute configuration at C-14 is independently R or S; wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl, alkyl halide, alcohol, ester, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, acid halide, amide, nitrile, or amine; and wherein R.sub.2 is hydroxyl, halide, alkoxy, ester, alkyl, alcohol, ether, aldehyde, ketone, carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, nitrile, amine, azide, alkyl halide, acid halide, acid azide, or amide; or wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are replaced by a 14, 15-oxirane group; and wherein the retro structure is alpha or gamma.

Abstract: A multi phase catalytic reactor in which a liquid product is separated from a slurry phase containing a finely divided solid catalyst in a liquid medium. The apparatus includes a vessel which contains a number of vertical reaction tubes, arranged to accommodate the slurry phase. Each tube has a filter member in contact with the slurry phase within the tube. The filter members thus define a filtrate zone which is separated from the slurry phase. Gaseous reactants are introduced into the slurry phase within the tubes and a heat exchange medium is circulated around the outside of the tubes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the synthesis of D-chiroinositol from a dialdose, comprising the steps of condensing the dialdose by an acyloin condensation reaction to form an inosose, protecting the carbon atoms at the 2, 3, 4 and 5 positions, reducing the ketone of the inosose and removing the protecting groups. In addition, a method of preparing mannodialdose from mannuronic acid is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the production of methanol, which exhibits high energy efficiency and permits the production of methanol with apparatus of which the production capacity can be increased, the process comprising a primary reforming step of catalytically reacting a hydrocarbon with steam, a partial oxidation step of partially oxidizing a gas fed from the above primary reforming reaction step by adding an oxygen gas, a secondary reforming step of catalytically reacting a gas fed from the above partial oxidation step with steam, a step of using a high-temperature gas obtained from the secondary reforming reaction step, as a heat source for the primary reforming step, a synthesis gas preparation step of separating steam from the gas used as the above heat source to prepare a synthesis gas, and a methanol synthesis step of introducing the synthesis gas into a methanol synthesis reactor using a fluid catalyst, wherein:the molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon oxides in the feed gas to into the methanol synthesis reactor, r

Abstract: A process for the purification of a crude bisphenol comprises the following steps:(1) preparing a mixture comprising from about 35 to about 70% of a crude bisphenol and from about 65 to about 30% of water, by the total weight of bisphenol and water, without addition of a substantial amount of an organic solvent or an alkaline compound, at a pressure above atmospheric and a temperature above about 100.degree. C.,(2) crystallizing bisphenol at a pressure below atmospheric,(3) separating crystalline bisphenol from the mother liquor,(4) dividing at least a portion of the mother liquor into a bisphenol-rich oil phase and a water-rich phase,(5) preparing a mixture comprising at least a portion of the bisphenol-rich oil phase, water and optionally an additional amount of crude bisphenol at a pressure above atmospheric and a temperature above about 100.degree. C.,(6) cooling the mixture and crystallizing bisphenol; and(7) separating crystalline bisphenol from the mother liquor.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method for the recovery of phenol from a cleavage mass resulting from the sulfuric acid cleavage of cumene hydroperoxide comprising neutralizing the cleavage mass, forming an aqueous phase and an organic phase, separating the organic phase into an acetone-rich stream and a phenol-rich stream, removing phenol tars from the phenol-rich stream and cracking the phenol tars wherein the improvement comprises maintaining the pH of the cleavage mass during neutralization between 4.0 and about 4.9 whereby the sulfuric acid is converted to the bisulfate salt and substantially no free sulfuric acid remains in the cleavage mass and corrosion of process equipment is reduced.As a result of this improved process, a phenol tar waste stream containing less than about 4 parts per million by weight of chromium is obtained.

Abstract: A graded temperature methanol reactor includes an inclined container containing a liquid heat transfer medium, such as water, having a varying temperature along the container. Conduits, extending through the container and in contact with heat transfer medium, conduct a feed gas having hydrogen and carbon monoxide and permit heat transfer between the feed gas and the heat transfer medium. A copper catalyst is disposed within each conduit to cause the hydrogen and carbon monoxide to react to form methanol, which condenses as the temperature decreases along the container from the upper end to the lower end. Preferably, the conduits are configured as a rotor and can be rotated relative to the container. By using this methanol reactor, methanol can be produced from a feed gas having hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a 2:1 molecular ratio, regardless of the source of this feed gas.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprises contacting a feed comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock and an oxygen-containing gas with a catalyst in a reaction zone, which catalyst is retained in the reaction zone in a fixed arrangement having a tortuosity of at least 1.1 and having at least 750 pores per square centimeter.

Abstract: Several Fischer-Tropsch reaction schemes using a promoted iron catalyst in a slurry reactor produce oxygenated naphtha and diesel fractions on distillation that reduce particulate emissions in diesel engines. High carbon conversion efficiencies and optimum chain growth are characteristics of the processes.