Abstract: Surfactants of the general formula (I) in which R1 is a linear or branched akyl radical having 6 to 20, especially 10 to 16 C atoms, R2 and R3 independently of one another are H or H3CO, and M is hydrogen, an alkali metal or a moiety N+R4R5R6, in which R4, R5 and R6 independently of one another are hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 C atoms or a hydroxyalkyl group having 2 to 6 C atoms, are readily incorporated into laundry detergents or cleaning products, possess outstanding performance qualities and can be prepared on the basis of renewable raw materials.

Abstract: Surfactants of general formula (I), in which R1 denotes a linear or branched alkyl residue having 6 to 20, and in particular 8 to 14 carbon atoms, R2 denotes H or CH3, and M denotes hydrogen, an alkali metal or an N+R3R4R5 grouping, in which R3, R4 and R5, independently of one another, denote hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a hydroxyalkyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atom, can be easily incorporated into washing or cleaning agents, have outstanding application-related properties, and can be produced based on renewable resources.

Abstract: Surfactants of general formula (I), in which R1 denotes a linear or branched alkyl residue having 6 to 20, and in particular 8 to 14 carbon atoms, R2 denotes H or CH3, and M denotes hydrogen, an alkali metal or an N+R3R4R5 grouping, in which R3, R4 and R5, independently of one another, denote hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a hydroxyalkyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atom, can be easily incorporated into washing or cleaning agents, have outstanding application-related properties, and can be produced based on renewable resources.

Abstract: Surfactants of the general formula (I) in which R1 is a linear or branched akyl radical having 6 to 20, especially 10 to 16 C atoms, R2 and R3 independently of one another are H or H3CO, and M is hydrogen, an alkali metal or a moiety N+R4R5R6, in which R4, R5 and R6 independently of one another are hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 C atoms or a hydroxyalkyl group having 2 to 6 C atoms, are readily incorporated into laundry detergents or cleaning products, possess outstanding performance qualities and can be prepared on the basis of renewable raw materials.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for catalytic fractionation of peat, coir, peat-like materials or mosses into a non-pyrolytic bio-oil and a sterile solid fraction with similar volume and structural function to the starting material. The inventive process is useful for a variety of interesting applications, starting from raw peat with a water content of up to 80% resulting in a an oil, rich in polyols and aliphatic molecules.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the conversion of phenolics into aromatic hydrocarbons. In more detail, the present invention refers to a process for the selective hydrodeoxygenation of phenolic feeds into aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene, alkylbenzenes and others. The selective catalytic hydrodeoxygenation is performed in absence of external supply of molecular hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to surfactants of the formula (I), in which R1 stands for —H or —CH3; R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 independently stand for —H, —CH3, —CH2CH3, —CH2CH2CH3, —CH(CH3)2, —CH2CH2CH2CH3, —CH2CH(CH3)2, —CH(CH3)CH2CH3, —C(CH3)3, —OH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —OCH2CH2CH3, —OCH(CH3)2, a linear or branched alkyl group containing 8 to 20 C atoms, or —SO3?X+; X+ stands for a monovalent cation or the nth part of an n-valent cation; exactly one radical R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 stands for —SO3?X+; and exactly one radical R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 stands for a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 8 to 20 C atoms.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for catalytic fractionation of plant biomass, producing non-pyrolytic bio-oil from lignocellulosic materials in addition to a high-quality pulp comprising cellulose and hemicellulose as a byproduct. The inventive process is useful for a variety of interesting applications, leading in a single step to high quality pulp and non-pyrolytic bio-oil that mostly comprises phenols in addition to cyclohexanones, cyclohexanols and cycloalkanes as minor products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for breaking down lignocellulose biomass. In said method, acid-impregnated lignocellulose biomass, e.g., beech wood, pine wood or sugarcane bagasse, is subjected to a mechanical treatment and the obtained break-down residues are fed to a process of separation into water-soluble and water-insoluble components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a high yield of sugar alcohols containing five to six carbon atoms from cellulose-containing materials. In a first step the starting materials (for example microcrystalline cellulose, alpha-cellulose, wood and cellulose-containing residues, such as sugar cane bagasse or wood shavings) and an acid are brought into close contact with the substrates by a impregnation carried out in the liquid or gaseous phase. In addition, in a second step the starting materials impregnated with acid and preferably dried are brought into contact by the action of mechanical energy, such that the cellulose-containing materials are degraded into water-soluble products. Subsequently, in a third step, sugar alcohols having five to six carbon atoms are obtained in a high yield and in high selectivity from the water-soluble products in aqueous solution by hydrolytic hydrogenation by means of a metal-containing catalyst under hydrogen pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to surfactants of the formula (I), in which R1 stands for —H or —CH3; R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 independently stand for —H, —CH3, —CH2CH3, —CH2CH2CH3, —CH(CH3)2, —CH2CH2CH2CH3, —CH2CH(CH3)2, —CH(CH3)CH2CH3, —C(CH3)3, —OH, —OCH3, —OCH2CH3, —OCH2CH2CH3, —OCH(CH3)2, a linear or branched alkyl group containing 8 to 20 C atoms, or —SO3?X+; X+ stands for a monovalent cation or the nth part of an n-valent cation; exactly one radical R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 stands for —SO3?X+; and exactly one radical R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 stands for a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 8 to 20 C atoms.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the conversion of phenolics into aromatic hydrocarbons. In more detail, the present invention refers to a process for the selective hydrodeoxygenation of phenolic feeds into aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene, alkylbenzenes and others. The selective catalytic hydrodeoxygenation is performed in absence of external supply of molecular hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a high yield of sugar alcohols containing five to six carbon atoms from cellulose-containing materials. In a first step the starting materials (for example microcrystalline cellulose, alpha-cellulose, wood and cellulose-containing residues, such as sugar cane bagasse or wood shavings) and an acid are brought into close contact with the substrates by a impregnation carried out in the liquid or gaseous phase. In addition, in a second step the starting materials impregnated with acid and preferably dried are brought into contact by the action of mechanical energy, such that the cellulose-containing materials are degraded into water-soluble products. Subsequently, in a third step, sugar alcohols having five to six carbon atoms are obtained in a high yield and in high selectivity from the water-soluble products in aqueous solution by hydrolytic hydrogenation by means of a metal-containing catalyst under hydrogen pressure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the acid-catalyzed oligomerization of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides in which monosaccharides or disaccharides are subjected to a mechanical treatment in the presence of an inorganic and/or organic acid. During said process, a catalytic conversion of the monosaccharides or disaccharides takes place.

Abstract: A method for the acid-catalyzed depolymerization of cellulose comprises a mechanical treatment of cellulose in the presence of an inorganic and/or organic acid. The catalytic conversion of cellulose into water-soluble products is virtually completely achieved in that celluoligomers, cellubiose, glucose and glycerol are obtained without significant byproduction.

Abstract: A process for the depolymerization of cellulose, in which a solution of cellulose in an ionic liquid is brought into contact with a solid acid as catalyst, is claimed. The cellulose can be depolymerized within a short reaction time to form a low molecular weight or oligomeric reaction mixture having a narrow molecular weight distribution (low polydispersity, d, defined as ratio of Pw to Pn).

Abstract: Granita ices or chilled drinks made from water and a liquid flavoring are mixed in a dispenser equipped with an autofill device that comprises a module packaged in a housing positionable directly on top of the bowl from which the iced or chilled product is dispensed. Water is directed into the module through first feed pipelines, and flavoring through second feed pipelines, whereupon the two liquids are directed along a further pipeline from the respective feed pipelines into the bowl. The presence of the water and flavoring is detected by sensors located on the feed pipelines or the outlet pipeline, or both, and further sensors monitor the level of the mixture in the bowl; a control unit interlocked to the presence sensors will activate a solenoid valve on the first pipelines, and a pump on the second pipelines, to replenish the bowl with the requisite quantities of water and flavoring automatically.

Abstract: Process for gas-phase polymerization carried out in two interconnected polymerization zones, to which one or more &agr;-olefins CH2═CHR are fed in the presence of catalyst under reaction conditions and from which the polymer product is discharged. The process is characterized in that the growing polymer flows through a first polymerization zone under fast fluidization conditions, leaves said first zone and enters a second polymerization zone through which it flows in a densified form under the action of gravity, leaves said second zone and is reintroduced into the first polymerization zone, thus establishing a circulation of polymer around the two polymerization zones. The novel process allows olefins to be polymerized in the gas phase with high productivity per unit volume of the reactor without incurring the problems of the fluidized-bed technologies of the known state of the art.

Abstract: Process for gas-phase polymerization carried out in two interconnected polymerization zones, to which one or more &agr;-olefins CH2=CHR are fed in the presence of catalyst under reaction conditions and from which the polymer product is discharged. The process is characterized in that the growing polymer flows through a first polymerization zone under fast fluidization conditions, leaves said first zone and enters a second polymerization zone through which it flows in a densified form under the action of gravity, leaves said second zone and is reintroduced into the first polymerization zone, thus establishing a circulation of polymer around the two polymerization zones. The novel process allows olefins to be polymerized in the gas phase with high productivity per unit volume of the reactor without incurring the problems of the fluidized-bed technologies of the known state of the art.

Abstract: Process for the gas-phase polymerization of olefins of the formula CH2═CHR where R is hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl radical with 1 to 8 carbon atoms carried out in one or more reactors having a fluidized or mechanically agitated bed, using a catalyst obtained by reaction of a titanium halide or haloalcoholate and optionally an electron-donor compound supported on an active Mg-dihalide with an Al-trialkyl compound and optionally an electron-donor compound, comprising the steps of: a) contacting the catalyst components in the absence of polymerizable olefin or optionally in the presence of said olefin in an amount to from up to 3 g per g of solid catalyst component; b) prepolymerizing propylene or mixtures of propylene with ethylene or an alpha-olefin to form a propylene polymer having an insolubility in xylene of at least 60% by weight, in an amount of from 5 g of polymer per g of solid catalyst component to 10% by weight of the final catalyst yield; and c) polymerizing one or more CH2═CHR olefins