Abstract: A process for the preparation of .epsilon.-caprolactone comprising:(a) reacting cyclohexanone with a solution of perpropionic acid in an organic solvent at a molar ratio of cyclohexanone;perpropionic acid of about 1.1-5:1 at a temperature of about 10.degree. to 80.degree. C. to form a reaction mixture consisting essentially of .epsilon.-caprolactone, propionic acid and organic solvent,(b) distilling the reaction mixture from (a) in a first distillation unit to obtain a distillate comprising the organic solvent and a distillation residue,(c) introducing the distillation residue from (b) at a point into a second distillation unit to obtain a distillate comprising propionic acid and unreacted cyclohexanone, removing from the second distillation unit, separately from one another and at a point below the point of introduction into the second distillation unit, .epsilon.

Abstract: Aldehydes and diols are prepared by reacting an olefine with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a Group Va or VIa metal compound, such as molybdenum-(III)-acetylacetonate.

Abstract: In the preparation of anthraquinone by reacting a mixture containing naphthalene, phthalic anhydride and tetrahydroanthraquinone with oxygen at elevated temperature while simultaneously separating off at least part of the naphthalene, the improvement which comprises supplying the naphthalene, phthalic anhydride and tetrahydroanthraquinone to a distillation system which consists of a column having a rectifying section, a stripping section and a boiler, at least one of the stripping section and the boiler being designed so that rapid through-passage of the feed mixture is prevented. Downcomers in the stripping section maintain liquid levels on the trays of about 5 to 500 mm and the boiler may have several successive chambers to provide the desired residence time in the system.

Abstract: A process for the production of pyrocatechol and hydroquinone by the hydroxylation of phenol in the nucleus with hydrogen peroxide, wherein phenol is reacted at the start of the reaction with substantially anhydrous hydrogen peroxide and wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a strong acid.

Abstract: A process has been invented for the preparation of pyrocatechol and hydroquinone which comprises reacting a solution which is substantially anhydrous and free from hydrogen peroxide, of a percarboxylic acid in an inert, organic solvent, with phenol at temperatures from -10.degree. C. to 80.degree. C.The compounds obtained according to the invention are known, important industrial chemicals which are used in large amounts in the field of photography and of dyestuffs and plastics and in the field of scents and flavorings.

Abstract: A process has been invented for the preparation of dihydric substituted phenols which comprises reacting a solution, which is essentially anhydrous and free from hydrogen peroxide, of a percarboxylic acid in an inert organic solvent with a monohydric substituted phenol, which is derived from benzene, naphthalene or anthracene and still contains at least one free hydrogen atom in the aromatic nucleus, at temperatures from about -20.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C.The dihydric substituted phenols obtained according to the invention are known, important industrial intermediate products used in the fields of photography, dyestuffs and plastics, as well as in the scent and flavoring areas.

Abstract: A process for the hydroxylation of phenols and phenol ethers in the nucleus with hydrogen peroxide wherein a phenol or a phenol ether is reacted at the start of the reaction with substantially anhydrous hydrogen peroxide and wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a strong acid.

Abstract: Process for continuous production of propylene oxide (FIG. 1) from propylene and aqueous hydrogen peroxide. The aqueous hydrogen peroxide is first reacted with propionic acid in the presence of acid catalyst to form perpropionic acid (1). The perpropionic acid is taken up by extraction in benzene (5, 18) and following drying of the benzene solution (21), the perpropionic acid in the solution is reacted with propylene (24) for oxidation of the propylene to propylene oxide and conversion of the perpropionic acid back to propionic acid. The reaction mixture is worked up to separate propylene oxide, propionic acid and benzene (30, 32, 37, 39), and the latter two are recycled. In the benzene extraction (5, 18), an aqueous raffinate (7) is formed containing hydrogen peroxide and acid catalyst.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons by gas phase hydrogenation of aromatic hydrocarbons in the presence of palladium catalyst, characterized in that palladium catalyst is used which contains the palladium applied to a support which comprises aluminium oxide of which at least 20% by weight, relative to the weight of the support, has been converted to lithium-aluminium spinel. The gas phase hydrogenation can be carried out at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Process for continuous production of propylene oxide (FIG. 1) from propylene and aqueous hydrogen peroxide. The aqueous hydrogen peroxide is first reacted with propionic acid in the presence of acid catalyst to form perpropionic acid (1). The perpropionic acid is taken up by extraction in benzene (5 , 12), and following drying of the benzene solution (16), the perpropionic acid in the solution is reacted with propylene (18) for oxidation of the propylene to propylene oxide and conversion of the perpropionic acid back to propionic acid. The reaction mixture is worked up to separate propylene oxide, propionic acid and benzene (25, 27, 31, 33), and the latter two are recycled. In the benzene extraction (5, 12), an aqueous raffinate (7) is formed containing hydrogen peroxide and acid catalyst. Water is removed from the aqueous raffinate (8) and the concentrate is recycled to the propionic acid reactor. Make-up hydrogen peroxide can be added to the aqueous raffinate before the removal of water.

Abstract: Process for continuous production of substantially anhydrous solutions of perpropionic acid in benzene. Aqueous hydrogen peroxide is first reacted with propionic acid in the presence of acid catalyst to form perpropionic acid and water (1). The perpropionic acid is extracted with benzene (5), to provide a benzene phase containing the perpropionic acid (11) and an aqueous raffinate (7). The benzene phase is subjected to an extraction with water (12) involving at least 3 stages, to remove hydrogen peroxide, and the resulting benzene extract (15) is subjected to azeotropic distillation (26) to provide the anhydrous solution (17). The aqueous raffinate, which contains hydrogen peroxide, is distilled to remove water (8) and the resulting concentrate is recycled (2) for use in the reaction (1).

Abstract: A process for the production of pyrocatechol and hydroquinone by the hydroxylation of phenol in the nucleus with hydrogen peroxide, wherein phenol is reacted at the start of the reaction with substantially anhydrous hydrogen peroxide and wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a strong acid.

Abstract: A process for the hydroxylation of phenols and phenol ethers in the nucleus with hydrogen peroxide wherein a phenol or a phenol ether is reacted at the start of the reaction with substantially anhydrous hydrogen peroxide and wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a strong acid.

Abstract: A process for the production of an .omega.-formyl carboxylic acid ester, comprising reacting an enol ether of a cyclic ketone with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of at least one catalyst selected from the group consisting of a compound of boron or of a metal of the Fifth or Sixth Secondary Group of the Periodic Table. Advantageously the enol ether has the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl of 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 or 6 carbon atoms or phenyl optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, alkoxy of 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, cyano or phenyl,n is an integer of about 3 to 10, andR.sub.

Abstract: Aldehydes are prepared by reacting an oxirane compound with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of one or more compounds of a metal of Groups IIIa-VIIa or Group VIII of the Mendeleev period table.

Abstract: A process for the production of an .omega.-formyl carboxylic acid ester, comprising reacting an enol ether of a cyclic ketone with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of at least one catalyst selected from the group consisting of a compound of boron or of a metal of the Fifth or Sixth Secondary Group of the Periodic Table. Advantageously the enol ether has the formula ##EQU1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl of 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 or 6 carbon atoms or phenyl optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, alkoxy of 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, cyano or phenyl,n is an integer of about 3 to 10, andR.sub.

Abstract: Aldehydes are prepared by reacting an oxirane compound with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a boron compound.

Abstract: Aldehydes are prepared by reacting an olefin with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of at least one boron compound and at least one compound of one of the metals of the fifth and/or sixth Secondary Group of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: In the preparation of isoprene by reacting isobutene with formaldehyde to produce 4,4-dimethyl-m-dioxane in a first stage, and decomposing the dioxane to isoprene and formaldehyde in a second stage, formaldehyde in the effluent streams of either or both of said stages is recovered. The formaldehyde-containing liquids are distilled to separate high boilers; the overhead, which is formaldehyde-rich, is extracted with isobutene feed to the process, whereby the isobutene extracts low boilers from the formaldehyde-containing liquid; and the formaldehyde-containing liquid, having at some point after said distillation been treated with an alkaline material, is subjected to rectification to produce as head product, the recovered formaldehyde.

Abstract: Allyl alcohol is produced in simple and economical fashion from propylene and oxygen by reacting propylene, oxygen and acetic acid over a palladium-containing catalyst in the presence of water; condensing the reaction product to form a condensate containing allyl acetate, acetic acid and water; treating the condensate with an acid catalyst and separating the resulting product by distillation into a head product consisting essentially of an allyl acetate/allyl alcohol/water azeotrope and into a sump product consisting essentially of acetic acid, allyl alcohol and water; recycling the head product to the acid catalyst stage; separating the sump product in a second distillation into an allyl alcohol/water head product and into a second sump product consisting essentially of acetic acid and water and recycling this sump product to the initial reaction.