Abstract: EpB polyether alcohols were prepared by reacting 3,4-epoxy-1-butene with water or an alcohol such as methanol, butanol or ethylene glycol. Polyether alcohols thus prepared were found to have utility as reactive diluents for oxidatively curable coatings. In addition to this application, 3,4-epoxy-1-butene oligomers can also function as a resin, a chain extender, a monomer, and an additive for various oxidatively curable coating systems including alkyds, unsaturated polyesters, (meth)acrylate functional resins, urethanes, and latexes.

Abstract: A process for the recovery and purification of cyclobutanone from a crude product mixture obtained from an oxidation product mixture resulting from the oxidation of cyclobutanol to cyclobutanone in the presence of water. The process provides for the recovery of cyclobutanone in a purity of at least 90 weight percent by a combination of distillation steps.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the isomerization of epoxyalkenes to dihydrofurans by contacting an epoxyalkene with a catalyst comprising a quaternary organic onium iodide compounds, optionally deposited on a non-acidic support and/or in combination with a Lewis acid co-catalyst The catalyst may comprise a supported catalyst, an unsupported catalyst or a solution of the catalytically-active components in an inert, organic solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is process for the treatment of cyclopropanecarboxaldehdye (CPCA) which contains crotonaldehyde impurity with a base at elevated temperature to convert the crotonaldehyde to one or more higher boiling compounds followed by distillation to recover CPCA substantially free of crotonaldehyde. This selective reaction may be combined with a distillation to purify CPCA or in combination with the reaction of the CPCA in the treated mixture to produce a CPCA-derivative while avoiding or minimizing the formation of the analogous crotonaldehyde derivative.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the isomerization of epoxyalkenes to dihydrofurans by contacting an epoxyalkene with a catalyst comprising a quaternary organic onium iodide compounds, optionally deposited on a non-acidic support and/or in combination with a Lewis acid co-catalyst. The catalyst may comprise a supported catalyst, an unsupported catalyst or a solution of the catalytically-active components in an inert, organic solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the isomerization of epoxyalkenes to dihydrofurans by contacting an epoxyalkene with a catalyst comprising a quaternary organic onium iodide compounds, optionally deposited on a non-acidic support and/or in combination with a Lewis acid co-catalyst. The catalyst may comprise a supported catalyst, an unsupported catalyst or a solution of the catalytically-active components in an inert, organic solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the isoberization of epoxyalkenes to dihydrofurans by contacting an epovyalkene with a catalyst comprising a quaternary organic onium iodide compounds, optionally deposited on a non-acidic support and/or in combination with a Lewis acid co-catalyst. The catalyst may comprise a supported catalyst, an unsupported catalyst or a solution of the catalytically-active components in an inert, organic solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-step process wherein a 4-acyl-2,3-dihydrofuran is converted to a 2-alkoxy-3-acyl-3-halotetrahydorfuran which then is contacted with an strong base to produce an alkyl 3-furoate. Also disclosed are novel 2-alkoxy-3-acyl-3-halotetrahydrofuran intermediates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for converting an iodine-free organotin (IV) compound resulting from the decomposition of an organotin (IV) iodide during the catalytic isomerization of .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes to 2,5-dihydrofurans to the corresponding, catalytically active organotin (IV) iodide by intimately contacting a catalyst mixture comprising (i) an organotin (IV) iodide, (ii) an iodine-free organotin (IV) compound resulting from the decomposition of the organotin (IV) iodide of component (i), and (iii) a solvent selected from hydrocarbons and chlorocarbons with aqueous hydrogen iodide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the continuous production and recovery of 2,3-dihydrofuran (2,3-DHF) by the isomerization of 2,5-dihydrofuran (2,5-DHF) which contains certain impurities to 2,3-dihydrofuran in yields exceeding 95%. The process utilizes, in order, an isomerization zone containing one or more beds of a supported, palladium or platinum catalyst, a product recovery zone comprising a distillation column, a high boiler removal zone and means for feeding the 2,5-DHF component of the bottoms stream from the product recovery zone to the isomerization zone.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a 1,2-diacetoxy ester comprises acetylation of an epoxide with an acetic anhydride in the presence of a quaternary phosphonium acetate catalyst or its complex with acetic acid.