Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of alkene(s) from a feedstock comprising of at least ethanol and/or propanol(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of alkene(s) from a feedstock comprising of at least one monohydric aliphatic paraffinic alcohol by using a reactive distillation reactor for the dehydration of mixed alcohols.

Abstract: A silica support for use in the manufacture of a silica supported heteropolyacid catalyst for use in producing a carboxylic ester from a monocarboxylic acid, olefin and water wherein the support is produced by treating silica-gel granules with steam at a temperature in the range 100 to 300° C. for a period of time in the range 0.1 to 200 hours.

Abstract: Process for treating a mixed C4 stream comprising iso-butene and 1,3-butadiene by (a) reacting the stream with acetic acid in an addition reactor, (b) withdrawing product comprising iso-butene acetate, sec-butenyl acetate, n-butenyl acetate and t-butyl acetate, and recovering n-butenyl acetate from the product and separating and recycling t-butyl acetate to the addition reactor. The process provides increased efficiency of acetic acid utilisation together with useful products, e.g. n-butenyl and sec-butenyl acetates which can be separated and sold as such or converted to other products. The unreacted isobutene can be separated and used as such, or recycled and allowed to dimerise to di-isobutene, another useful product.

Abstract: Process for treating a mixed C4 stream comprising iso-butene and 1,3-butadiene by (a) reacting the stream with acetic acid in an addition reactor, (b) withdrawing product comprising iso-butene, sec-butenyl acetate, n-butenyl acetate and t-butyl acetate, and recovering n-butenyl acetate from the product and separating and recycling t-butyl acetate to the addition reactor. The process provides increased efficiency of acetic acid utilisation together with useful products, e.g. n-butenyl and sec-butenyl acetates which can be separated and sold as such or converted to other products. The unreacted isobutene can be separated and used as such, or recycled and allowed to dimerise to di-isobutene, another useful product.

Abstract: Processes are described for the preparation of glycol butyl ethers involving reaction of butadiene with saturated aliphatic glycols, separating the thus formed n- and sec-butenyl glycol ethers and hydrogenating the n-butenyl glycol ethers. Additional features are the use in the first step of heterogeneous catalyst modified by alkylpyridinium quaternary ammonium, quaternary arsonium quaternary phosphonium counterions and/or the conversion of sec-butenyl glycol ethers to butadiene and saturated aliphatic glycols.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for purifying a heteropolyacid which comprises: subjecting an aqueous solution comprising (i) the heteropolyacid and (ii) salt impurities to at least one liquid/liquid extraction step with an organic solvent, characterized in that the organic solvent comprises a dihydrocarbyl ether having at least 5 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Process for making a butyl ester from butadiene, comprising (a) reacting butadiene with a saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid to form a mixture of n-butenyl and secondary butenyl esters, (b) separating the n-butenyl ester from the secondary butenyl ester, and (c) hydrogenating the n-butenyl ester separated in step (b) in the presence of a catalyst to the corresponding n-butyl ester.

Abstract: Process for making butyraldehyde from an n-butenyl ester of a carboxylic acid, wherein the n-butenyl ester is hydrolyzed to form the corresponding n-butenyl alcohol n-butenyl alcohol so produced is isomerized to form butyraldehyde.

Abstract: Processes are described for the preparation of glycol butyl ethers involving reaction of butadiene with saturated aliphatic glycols, separating the thus formed n- and sec-butenyl glycol ethers and hydrogenating the n-butenyl glycol ethers. Additional features are the use in the first step of heterogeneous catalyst modified by alkylpyridinium quaternary ammonium, quaternary arsonium quaternary phosphonium counterions and/or the conversion of sec-butenyl glycol ethers to butadiene and saturated aliphatic glycols.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for purifying a heteropolyacid which comprises: subjecting an aqueous solution comprising (i) the heteropolyacid and (ii) salt impurities to at least one liquid/liquid extraction step with an organic solvent, characterized in that the organic solvent comprises a dihydrocarbyl ether having at least 5 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Process for making a butyl ester from butadiene, comprising (a) reacting butadiene with a saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid to form a mixture of n-butenyl and secondary butenyl esters, (b) separating the n-butenyl ester from the secondary butenyl ester, and (c) hydrogenating the n-butenyl ester separated in step (b) in the presence of a catalyst to the corresponding n-butyl ester.

Abstract: Process for making butyraldehyde from an n-butenyl ester of a carboxylic acid, wherein the n-butenyl ester is hydrolyzed to form the corresponding n-butenyl alcohol n-butenyl alcohol so produced is isomerized to form butyraldehyde.

Abstract: A compound comprising i) 20-80 mol % of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or anhydride thereof, ii) 5-30 mol % of at least one unsaturated oligomer of an optionally branched olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, having an average molecular weight Mw of 300-5000, iii) 10-60 mol % of an ethylenically unsaturated acid having at least 10 carbon atoms, or a mono-,di- or tri- ester of glycerol (1, 2, 3 propanetriol) in which at least one of the carboxylic acid residues of the ester is derived from said ethylenically unsaturated acid, or an oil, optionally hydrolysed, containing at least 30 wt % of the acid or ester is disclosed, which has both dispersant and VI improving properties in lubricating oils.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising a mixture of a fumarate, maleate and 2-allyloxy-succinate esters falling within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of a triangular chemical composition diagram (hereafter "TCCD") said points representing respectively the ranges of concentration of said maleate, fumarate and succinate in said composition, a process for preparing the same and the use thereof as a reactive diluent in a paint or coating formulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing 2-substituted succinate esters of formula (I) by reacting (a) a dicarboxylic compound with a first alcohol R'O[CH'.CH.sub.2 O].sub.x H where x is 0 or an integer from 1-6 in the presence of a catalyst to form a hydrocarbyl ester or, when x=1-6, a hydrocarbyloxy alkylene ester of maleic and/or fumaric acid and (b) the ester from step (a) with an alkaline earth metal alkoxide in the presence of a second alcohol R.OH to form the 2-substituted succinate ester of formula (I). The esters and paint formulations based thereon are also claimed.

Abstract: This invention relates to non-aqueous formulations comprising resins and/or polymers with a higher solids content and a solvent which is a diether of the general formula: R.O.R..sup.1.O.R.sup.2, wherein each of R, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is a straight or branched chain, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms and in which R and R.sup.2 are the same or different alkyl groups and wherein R.sup.1 is an alkylene group, said formulation containing less than 25% w/w of solvents or diluents having free hydroxyl groups. The formulations are particularly useful in vehicle refinishes.

Abstract: Process for making a butyl ester from butadiene, comprising (a) reacting butadiene with a saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid to form a mixture of n-butenyl and secondary butenyl esters, (b) separating the n-butenyl ester from the secondary butenyl ester, and (c) hydrogenating the n-butenyl ester separated in step (b) in the presence of a catalyst to the corresponding n-butyl ester.