Abstract: A description is given of an improved process for the production of esters from fatty substances having a natural origin (animal and vegetable oils) and low molecular weight alcohols, in which the soaps and oily compounds entrained in the alkaline phases are recycled by treating them, following acidification and separation, with a fraction of the glycerol phase produced, in the presence of an alkaline catalyst and for forming preferably a triglyceride or a partly substituted glyceride.This process makes it possible to quantitatively obtain methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl esters usable as a substitute for gas oil.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for manufacturing a composition of fatty acid esters useful as gas oil substitute motor fuel, said composition containing at least one hydrated ethyl alcohol.The process comprises:(A) A first acid transesterification step in the presence of at least one aliphatic, linear or branched monoalcohol of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, consisting at least partly of hydrated ethyl alcohol containing 1 to 60% by weight of water, said step leading to the formation of a phase mainly containing ethyl esters after removal of the produced glycerol phase,(B) A second step wherein the initial free acidity or that formed during the first step in the phase containing the esters is decreased to a value at most equal to about 2%; and(C) A third step of basic transesterification of the phase resulting from step B, in the presence of at least one aliphatic, linear or branched monoalcohol of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, with the recovery of the so-formed ester composition.

Abstract: A linear olefin is manufactured by contacting a fatty acid or ester with a catalyst comprising nickel and at least one metal from the group consisting of tin, germanium and lead at 200.degree.-400.degree. C.

Abstract: Unsaturated compounds are hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst obtained by reacting an organoaluminum compound with a transition metal carboxylate and an organic carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Process for hydrogenating unsaturated compounds in the liquid phase in the presence of a soluble catalyst obtained by reacting an organometal derivative or a metal hydride with a synergistic mixture of (a) a compound of zinc, zirconium, manganese, molybdenum, or iron and (b) a nickel or cobalt compound.

Abstract: Diphenol propane is hydrogenated in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst; water and an alcohol are added at the end of the reaction to assist in the separation of the catalyst residues.

Abstract: Ketones are converted by hydrogenation to the corresponding secondary alcohols, in the presence of a soluble catalyst which is obtained by contacting a metal compound, for example a cobalt, nickel or iron salt, with a reducing agent, preferably a trialkylaluminum compound, the reaction being carried out with added metal alcoholate, preferably an alkali metal alcoholate.