Abstract: Palladium catalysts can be obtained by vapor depositing metallic palladium on a carrier, treating the palladium coating with a metallic inhibitor by vapor deposition, and heating the product at from 300.degree. to 800.degree. C., and can be used for the partial hydrogenation of triple bonds to olefinic double bonds.

Abstract: A catalyst containing copper and silica is prepared by a process in which an aqueous alkali metal silicate solution containing from 1 to 26% by weight of SiO.sub.2 is brought to a pH of from 0.5 to 2.0 with nitric acid, an aqueous copper nitrate solution containing from 5 to 15% by weight of Cu is added, after the addition of the nitric acid, so that a clear solution containing from 0.18 to 3.0 moles of Cu per mole of SiO.sub.2 is formed, the resulting solution is mixed with an aqueous alkali metal carbonate solution at from 40.degree. to 80.degree. C., the pH of the mixture being kept at from 7.5 to 8.5, and the precipitated material is separated off, dried, calcined by heating at from 250.degree. to 400.degree. C. and pressed in a conventional manner to give catalyst moldings. The catalyst thus obtained is used for the hydrogenation of dialkyl dicarboxylates to diols.

Abstract: In an improved process for the preparation of 6-aminocaproates by reacting a 5-formylvalerate with ammonia and hydrogen using an alkanol as a solvent in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst at elevated temperatures and under superatmospheric pressure, the improvement comprises carrying out the reaction at from 40.degree. to 95.degree. C.

Abstract: Caprolactam is prepared by a process in which(a) the 5-formylvalerate is reacted with excess ammonia and hydrogen in the presence of an alkanol as the solvent and in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under superatmospheric pressure in the liquid phase at from 40.degree. to 130.degree. C.,(b) excess ammonia and hydrogen are separated off from the reaction mixture,(c) the resulting reaction mixture is reacted with water at elevated temperatures with simultaneous removal of alkanols, and(d) the reaction mixture thus obtained is heated to 150.degree.-370.degree. C. and .epsilon.-caprolactam is obtained.

Abstract: Caprolactam is prepared by a process in which(a) a 5-formylvalerate is reacted with excess ammonia and hydrogen in the presence of an alkanol as a solvent and in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under superatmospheric pressure in the liquid phase at from 40.degree. to 130.degree. C.,(b) excess ammonia and hydrogen are separated off from the reaction mixture and(c) the reaction mixture thus obtained is heated to 150.degree.-250.degree. C. and .epsilon.-caprolactam is obtained.

Abstract: Catalysts, in particular for the detoxification of automobile exhaust gases, are prepared by a process in which the active components and the promoters are applied onto a carrier by vapor deposition under very greatly reduced pressure. The carriers used are advantageously in the form of nets or woven fabrics.The catalyst fabrics coated by vapor deposition are pressed together to form catalyst packets for installation in the reactor, and the shape of the catalyst packets is adapted to the flow conditions in the reactor.

Abstract: 2-Methyl-2-alkenals of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each hydrogen, alkyl which may additionally carry aromatic radicals, or an aromatic radical, are prepared by isomerizing a 2-alkylacrolein of the formula ##STR2## in the presence of hydrogen and of a catalyst which contains palladium and an oxide or salt of a rare earth metal as active components, at from 20.degree. to 120.degree. C. and under from 1 to 100 bar.

Abstract: A catalyst which is free from alkali metal compounds and alkaline earth metal compounds, contains palladium and lead as active constituents and is supported on a carrier which contains two or more of the oxides ZnO, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, La.sub.2 O.sub.3 and TiO.sub.2, and the use of this catalyst for the preparation of methyl methacrylate from methacrolein, methanol and oxygen.

Abstract: Methanol is prepared by catalytic conversion of a synthesis gas mixture, containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and/or water, at from 200.degree. to 320.degree. C. and under from 30 to 300 bar in adiabatic and/or isothermal reactions in the presence of a catalyst containing copper and zinc, by a process in which the fresh catalyst is reduced with a hydrogen-containing gas before the start-up of the process, and then the synthesis is started under conventional conditions and is continued until the formation of methanol in the reaction zone has declined substantially, after which the reaction is interrupted and the catalyst is regenerated.

Abstract: H.sub.2 S-containing gases are desulfurized by direct catalytic oxidation of the H.sub.2 S to elemental sulfur with an oxygen-containing gas at elevated temperatures by a method in which the catalyst used is a supported titanium dioxide catalyst containing from 0.1 to 25% by weight of nickel oxide and from 0 to 10% by weight of aluminum oxide, the percentages being based on the supported catalyst.

Abstract: 2,3,6-Trimethylhydroquinone is prepared by catalytic hydrogenation of 2,3,6-trimethylquinone with hydrogen in the presence of a solvent by a continuous process in which the reaction is carried out over a platinum/alumina catalyst.

Abstract: Gases containing CO and/or CO.sub.2 are purified by removing sulfur compounds and other impurities by catalytic reaction at elevated temperatures by a process in which the gases to be purified are passed directly through a catalyst charge containing a Cu/ZnO catalyst prepared by thermal decomposition of a mixed crystalline compound of zinc hydroxide carbonate, and the space velocity is set at 500-5,000 m.sup.3 (S.T.P.) per m.sup.3 of catalyst per hour. Preferably, the catalyst used is a Cu/ZnO catalyst which is prepared by thermal decomposition of a catalyst precursor of the general formulaCu.sub.x Zn.sub.y (OH).sub.6 (CO.sub.3).sub.2.

Abstract: H.sub.2 S-containing gases are desulfurized by direct catalytic oxidation of the H.sub.2 S to elementary sulfur by means of oxygen-containing gases in a tube reactor, with indirect removal of the heat of reaction by means of a coolant and with condensation of the sulfur formed, wherein either the catalyst is present in the jacket space around the tubes and the coolant is present in the tubes of the reactor or the coolant is present in the jacket space around the tubes and the catalyst is present in the tubes of the reactor, and the catalyst fills the tubes of the tube reactor or the jacket space around the tubes over the entire cross-section of the tubes or the jacket space respectively, the exit temperature of the gaseous reaction mixture leaving the tube reactor is kept at 180.degree.-400.degree. C. and the sulfur formed in the tube reactor is separated out of the reaction mixture, obtained in the reactor, in a condensation stage downstream of the reactor.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of methanol by reacting a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen at an elevated temperature and under superatmospheric pressure over a catalyst which contains zinc, copper and aluminum, the catalyst being prepared from a co-crystalline material of the formulaCu.sub.2.2 Zn.sub.2.8 (OH).sub.6 (CO.sub.3).sub.2,containing aluminum hydroxide as a structual promoter, by calcination and reduction at from 160.degree. to 350.degree. C. The novel catalyst has the advantage of giving a substantially increased space-time yield and having a longer life.

Abstract: Hydrogenation catalysts which are prepared from mixed crystals of copper-zinc compounds, obtained by precipitation, of the formulaCu.sub.1.5-3 Zn.sub.1-2.5 (CO.sub.3).sub.1-2 (OH).sub.4-6.(H.sub.2 O).sub.0-1by decomposition at 200.degree.-500.degree. C., and are used for the catalytic preparation of propanediols of the formula ##STR1## where the R's may be identical or different and each is an aliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic radical, or the two R's together with the adjacent carbon atom are members of an alicyclic ring, by hydrogenating hydroxypropionaldehydes of the formula ##STR2## where R has the above meanings, and to processes for the preparation of propanediols, using such catalysts. The propane-1,3-diols obtainable by the novel process are valuable starting materials for the preparation of lubricants, plastics, surface coatings and synthetic resins, for example of polyesters derived from the propanediols.

Abstract: Hydrogenation catalysts, which have a specific surface area of from 50 to 150 square meters per gram, solely or partially contain crystals having a spinel structure and copper in the form of copper oxide, and have been obtained by precipitating copper and aluminum in a ratio of from 0.25 to 3 atoms of copper per atom of aluminum from their compounds in the presence of a carbonate at a pH of from 4.5 to 9 and calcining the resulting precipitate at from 300.degree. to 800.degree. C., for the catalytic preparation of propanediols by hydrogenating hydroxypropionaldehydes at not more than 300 bar pressure and from 50.degree. to 200.degree. C., and processes for the preparation of propanediols by the use of such catalysts.The propanediols obtainable by the process of the invention, in particular 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diol, are valuable starting materials for the preparation of lubricants, plastics, surface coatings and synthetic resins, for example corresponding polyesters.

Abstract: Hydrogenation catalysts, which have a specific surface area of from 50 to 150 square meters per gram, solely or partially contain crystals having a spinel structure and copper in the form of copper oxide, and have been obtained by precipitating copper and aluminum in a ratio of from 0.25 to 3 atoms of copper per atom of aluminum from their compounds in the presence of a carbonate at a pH of from 4.5 to 9 and calcining the resulting precipitate at from 300.degree. to 800.degree. C., for the catalytic preparation of propanediols by hydrogenating hydroxypropionaldehydes at not more than 300 bar pressure and from 50.degree. to 200.degree. C., and processes for the preparation of propanediols by the use of such catalysts.The propanediols obtainable by the process of the invention, in particular 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diol, are valuable starting materials for the preparation of lubricants, plastics, surface coatings and synthetic resins, for example corresponding polyesters.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2-methyl-pentane-2,4-diol by hydrogenating diacetone-alcohol at an elevated temperature in the presence of a catalyst which has been obtained by calcining the compound of the formula Ni.sub.6 Al.sub.2 (OH).sub.16 CO.sub.3 . 4H.sub.2 O.

Abstract: .gamma.-Butyrolactone is manufactured by hydrogenating maleic anhydride in the presence of butyrolactone as the solvent. The hydrogenated reaction mixture, which contains butyrolactone, succinic anhydride and succinic acid, is fractionated in a thin film evaporator.