Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing essentially formic acid-free N-alkyl-N′-methylalkyleneureas of the formula with R1=H or CH3, R2=CnH2n+1 with n=1-4 and x=0 or 1, from the corresponding alkyleneureas by reaction with monomeric or polymerized formaldehyde in the presence of formic acid. This entails feeding the mixture, obtained in the reaction, of N-alkyl-N′-methylalkyleneurea and formic acid to the upper region of a distillation column, distilling without further additions and removing essentially formic acid-free N-alkyl-N′-methylalkyleneurea in the lower region of the column.

Abstract: In a continuous process for preparing propargyl chloride by reacting propargyl alcohol with a chlorinating agent in the presence of a catalyst, the chlorinating agent, propargyl alcohol and from 0.1 to 10 mol % of the catalyst, based on the amount of propargyl alcohol, are continuously metered into a reaction zone and reacted at from 40 to 70° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides process for the preparation of chlorocarbonyl chlorides of the formula I R1—CHCl—Y—COCl  (I), where R1 is for example hydrogen or C1- to C20-alkyl and Y is for example a saturated or mono- or polyolefinically unsaturated C2-C8-alkylene chain, by reacting lactones with a chlorinating agent in the presence of a urea compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl chlorides from alcohols by reaction with a chlorinating agent in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is a urea compound.

Abstract: A method for preparing neopentyl glycol hydroxypivalate granules by application of a neopentyl glycol hydroxypivalate melt (1) onto a cooling belt (6) on which the melt solidifies, wherein the melt contains at least so 3 wt % of neopentyl glycol hydroxypivalate crystals, based on the total amount of neopenlyl glycol hydroxypivalate.

Abstract: Polyoxyalkylene glycol monoethers of monohydric alcohols are prepared by a process in which tetrahydrofuran or a mixture of tetrahydrofuran with a total of not more than 95 mol %, based on the amount of tetrahydrofuran used, of one or more comonomers from the group consisting of the cyclic ethers and acetals is polymerized in the absence of water and in the presence of a monohydric alcohol and of an anhydrous heteropoly acid catalyst.

Abstract: Polyoxyalkylene glycol monoesters of carboxylic acids are prepared by a process in which tetrahydrofuran or a mixture of tetrahydrofuran with a total of not more than 95 mol %, based on the amount of tetrahydrofuran used, of one or more comonomers from the group consisting of the cyclic ethers and acetals is polymerized in the absence of water and in the presence of a carboxylic acid and of an anhydrous heteropolyacid catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polyoxyalkylene glycols or polyoxyalkylene glycol copolymers from polyoxyalkylene glycol formates or the formates of polyoxyalkylene glycol copolymers comprises reacting the formates of polyoxyalkylene glycols or of polyoxyalkylene glycol copolymers in the liquid phase in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst which contains, as catalytically active component, rhenium and/or at least one element from sub-group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Abstract: 2-Methyl-1,4-butanediol and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran are prepared by reacting a compound of the general formula I or II ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkyl and the formyl group of II may also be present as acetal with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkanol, is reacted with hydrogen in the presence of copper or of a metal of groups 7 to 10 of the Periodical Table of elements or of a compound of these metals.

Abstract: The preparation of N-substituted 2-pyrrolidones (I) by the reaction of maleic acid, fumaric acid, or succinic acid or functional derivatives of these acids (compounds II) with a primary amine (III) or by the reaction of amides or imides derived from II and III under hydrogenating conditions in a synthesis stage followed by isolation, by distillation, of I and other volatile components from the resulting reaction mixture, in which the residues present following distillation are subjected to further hydrogenation treatment and the compound (I) thus formed is isolated by distillation.

Abstract: Polyoxyalkylene glycols are prepared by a process in which tetrahydrofuran is polymerized with a total of not more than 95 mol %, based on the amount of tetrahydrofuran used, of one or more comonomers from the group consisting of the cyclic ethers and acetals in the absence of water and in the presence of a monohydric alcohol or of a monocarboxylic acid with the aid of an anhydrous heteropoly acid catalyst, and the polyoxyalkylene glycol is liberated from the resulting polyoxyalkylene glycol monoethers or polyoxyalkylene glycol monoesters by cleavage of the monoether or monoester bond.

Abstract: Polyoxyalkylene glycol monoethers of monohydric alcohols are prepared by a process in which tetrahydrofuran or a mixture of tetrahydrofuran with a total of not more than 95 mol %, based on the amount of tetrahydrofuran used, of one or more comonomers from the group consisting of the cyclic ethers and acetals is polymerised in the absence of water and in the presence of a monohydric alcohol and of an anhydrous heteropoly acid catalyst.

Abstract: The average molecular weight of polyoxyalkylene glycols and polyoxyalkylene glycol derivatives is adjusted in the heteropolyacid-catalyzed polymerization of cyclic ethers and/or acetals with ring cleavage in the presence of proton donors by a process in which the amount of the relevant proton donor present in the reaction system is regulated in the course of the reaction by the measurement of the electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, tetrahydrofurfurylacetic acid and the C.sub.1 - to C.sub.20 -alkyl or C.sub.7 - to C.sub.12 -aralkyl esters thereof, propane-1,2,3-trimethanol, 3-methyltetrahydrofuran, 3-(2'-hydroxyethyl)tetrahydrofuran, 4-hydroxymethyltetrahydropyran, 2-methyl-.gamma.-butyrolactone and/or 3-methyl-.gamma.-butyrolactone, comprises reacting citric acid or the C.sub.1 - to C.sub.20 -alkyl or C.sub.7 - to C.sub.12 -aralkyl esters thereof on hydrogenation catalysts in non-aqueous solvents at from 50.degree. to 400.degree. C. and at from 1 to 400 bar.

Abstract: A process for preparing 4-hydroxymethyltetrahydropyran comprises reacting tetrahydrofurans of the general formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 - to C.sub.6 -alkyl or --CO--R.sup.2, andR.sup.2 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 - to C.sub.6 -alkyl,at from 0.degree. to 400.degree. C. and from 0.001 to 400 bar in the presence of acidic catalysts.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure: Products of the reduction of 4-hydroxybutyric acid derivatives of the formula IIa ##STR1## where one of A and B is methylene and the other is cyclopropylidene, or of C.sub.1 --C.sub.4 --alkyl esters (IIb) or lactones (IIc) of these acids IIa, are prepared by hydrogenating the compounds IIa or IIb or IIc catalytically using hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, giving novel compounds which can be used to prepare polymers.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of N-substituted lactams of the formula I ##STR1## where Z is C.sub.2 - to C.sub.10 -alkylene, C.sub.7 - to C.sub.12 -aralkylene, phenylene or naphthylene, andR.sup.1 is C.sub.1 - to C.sub.20 -alkyl, C.sub.6 - to C.sub.10 -aryl or C.sub.7 - to C.sub.12 -aralkyl,by hydrogenating a compound of the formula II ##STR2## where W is C.sub.2 - to C.sub.10 -alkylene, C.sub.2 - to C.sub.10 -alkenylene, C.sub.7 - to C.sub.12 -aralkylene, phenylene or naphthylene, andX and Y together form an oxa or imido bridge of the formula ##STR3## or alternatively are identical or different and are hydroxyl, C.sub.1 - to C.sub.20 -alkoxy, C.sub.6 - to C.sub.10 -aryloxy or C.sub.7 - to C.sub.12 -aralkoxy, and, if X and Y are different, Y, in addition to the abovementioned meanings, may also be hydrogen,at superatmospheric pressure and at elevated temperature in the presence of a catalyst and in the presence of an amine, which comprises using a secondary and/or tertiary amine of the formula IIINH.sub.n R.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of N-substituted pyrrolidones by the catalytic hydrogenation of maleic anhydride, maleic acid and/or fumaric acid in the presence of a primary amine and a solvent, at elevated temperature and pressure, wherein a catalyst is used which contains cobalt and at least one of the elements manganese, copper, phosphorus, molybdenum and/or sodium.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polyether glycols by polymerization of tetrahydrofuran or copolymerization of tetrahydrofuran with oxiranes in the presence of from 20 to 500% w/w of a hydrocarbon, based on the weight of tetrahydrofuran used.

Abstract: A process is described for the purification of crude polyalkylene ether glycols contaminated by heteropolyacids or salts thereof, by treatment with solvents, which comprises mixing the crude polyalkylene ether glycols with a liquid hydrocarbon and water, allowing the phases to separate, and isolating the purified polyalkylene ether glycols from the upper phase.