Abstract: A process for the continuous production of monocarboxylic acids from the corresponding alcohols by alkali fusion wherein the oxidation is continuously accomplished in an extrusion reactor without addition of diluents and the alkali salts of the monocarboxylic acids are discharged from the reactor as a solid product and are directly neutralised with mineral acids. High-purity monocarboxylic acids are obtained after phase separation.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of boehmitic alumina compounds having a purity of, at least, 99.95% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The compounds produced according to the invention have a pore radii in the range of 3 to 100 nm. The preparation of such compounds is carried out by, first, obtaining an alumina suspension from a neutral aluminum alkoxide hydrolysis and, then, aging the alumina suspension in an autoclave, preferably, at a steam pressure of 1 to 30 bar, corresponding to a temperature of 100.degree. C. to 235.degree. C., for between 0.5 and 20 hours. The aging step of the invention is preferably carried out with stirring at a peripheral speed of 1 to 6 m/s.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a high-purity, thermally stable catalyst carrier based on aluminosilicate with 0.5 to 50% by weight SiO.sub.2 by mixing an aluminum compound with a silicic acid compound in an aqueous medium, and subsequently drying or calcining the product obtained. The aluminum component used is a C.sub.2 to C.sub.20+ aluminum alkoxide hydrolyzed with water and purified by means of ion exchangers. Simultaneously or subsequently orthosilicic acid purified by means of ion exchangers is added to the aluminum compound.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the production of aluminium alcoholates by reacting aluminium in comminuted form with an excess of an aliphatic C.sub.3 to C.sub.10 alcohol in which the aluminium is supplied to the reactor from above and is brought into contact with an aluminium alcoholate/alcohol mixture above a perforated plate or grid tray (screen) in the reactor. The aluminium, or preferably a suspension of alcohol and finely divided aluminium, is supplied to the reactor and fed from above to a bubble bed made of a mixture of aluminium alcoholate and alcohol in the area of the perforated plate, whereby the mixture of aluminium alcoholate and alcohol in the reactor sump or overflowing in part is recycled to the reactor over the bubble bed and optionally, preferably with the aluminium suspension, returned from above to the reactor and in part is isolated. There is also described a reactor suitable for carrying out the process.