Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing alumina agglomerates which comprises:(i) treating agglomerates of active alumina with an aqueous medium comprising at least one acid making it possible to dissolve at least part of the alumina and at least one compound providing an anion capable of combining with aluminum ions in solution,(ii) subjecting the agglomerates to a hydrothermal treatment at a temperature in the range of from about 80.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C., and then(iii) thermally activating the agglomerates at a temperature in the range of about 500.degree. C. to about 1100.degree. C.The resulting alumina agglomerates possess exceptional mechanical strength, heat resistance and hydrothermal resistance and are useful as catalysts or catalyst supports.

Abstract: A reactor for performing endothermic catalytic reactions is disclosed formed of a monolithic counterflow reactor with parallel heating and reaction channels. The internal walls of the reaction channels are coated with a catalyst for the catalytic reaction to be performed, while the internal walls of the heating channels have a catalyst for the catalytic combustion of a fuel gas/air mixture.

Abstract: In a novel process for the production of particles or powders, a substance or mixture of substances to be treated is provided in a pressure vessel. A highly compressible fluid is dissolved under pressure in the substance or mixture of substances provided until a solution containing 5% to 90% by weight of said highly compressible fluid has formed. The melting point of said highly compressible fluid is at least around 40 K lower than the melting point of the substance or mixture of substances to be treated.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, preventing the formation of deposits on surfaces downstream of a mixer in which possibly supersaturated mixtures issuing from the mixer are surrounded by a sheath of unsaturated solution. In an arrangement described, the sheath of unsaturated mixture is obtained by bleeding off some of the mixture issuing from the mixer sufficiently downstream of the mixer definitely to be unsaturated and returning this portion of the mixture to surround that issuing from the mixer.

Abstract: A process provides for the production of fertilizer solutions from brewery cleaning solutions. The process comprises the steps of combining a brewery caustic potash cleaning solution with a brewery nitrogen- or phosphorus-containing acid cleaning solution in mutually neutralizing amounts. This process results in the production of a fertilizer solution comprising a neutralized potassium salt solution having nitrogen-containing, organic, brewing materials entrained therein. If desired, spent grains and/or spent yeast from the brewing process can be added to provide further nutrients.

Abstract: An ozone containing gas stream is produced from oxygen by subjecting oxygen to an electric discharge and the ozone is then adsorbed on to a solid adsorbent, such as zeolite, the oxygen containing stream leaving the adsorbent is recycled to the ozonising process. Periodically, oxygen adsorbed on the adsorbent is desorbed by co-currently passing a purge gas over the adsorbent and the desorbed oxygen is also recycled to the ozoniser. Lastly ozone is desorbed from the adsorbent by a counter-current flow of purge gas and used in an ozone demanding process.

Abstract: A method for decomposing a perfluorocarbon in the presence of water vapor or water vapor and molecular oxygen in gas phase, in which a catalyst of a phosphate comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, alkali earth metal, titanium, zirconium, lanthanum, cerium, yttrium, rare earth metal, vanadium, niobium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel, and phosphorus oxide, is used.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided for thermally reacting chemicals in a matrix bed of porous inert media. The reaction is conducted in an apparatus that is capable of establishing and maintaining a non-planar reaction wave within the matrix bed. The positioning of the non-planar reaction wave permits the interior surfaces of the vessel to be maintained at a temperature at least above 175.degree. F. The apparatus includes a vessel that contains the matrix bed; one or more feed tubes that extend into the matrix bed, where preferably an exterior portion of each of the feed tubes that passes through the vessel is insulated; an exhaust outlet; and a means for heating the matrix bed. The non-planar reaction wave is established by heating at least a portion of the matrix bed to at least the reaction temperature of the chemicals and feeding a process stream containing the chemicals to be reacted into the feed tubes.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing fuel and transferring the heat produced to a particular use in a combustion system such as fuels conversion. A bed of a mixture of materials forming an unmixed combustion catalyst, which in an oxidized state is readily reducible and in a reduced state is readily oxidizable, is placed in efficient thermal contact with a heat receiver for use in the combustion system. Fuel and air are alternately contacted with the bed, whereby the fuel is oxidized, the air is depleted of oxygen, and heat is liberated. The heat is efficiently transferred to the heat receiver by careful selection of the materials of the bed such that the temperatures produced when the fuel is oxidized and when the air is depleted of oxygen are advantageous to the particular use in the combustion system.

Abstract: A composition for converting asbestos-containing material to environmentally benign components is provided. The composition comprises a flouro acid decomposing agent which can be applied to either amosite-containing thermal insulation or chrysotile-containing fire-proof material or to any asbestos-containing material which includes of chrysotile and amosite asbestos. The fluoro acid decomposing agent includes FP(O)(OH).sub.2, hexafluorophosphoric acid, a mixture of hydrofluoric and phosphoric acid and a mixture of hexafluorophosphoric acid and phosphoric acid. A method for converting asbestos-containing material to environmentally benign components is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chiral solid catalyst containing a BEA topology zeolite and a metal-binap complex and to a process for the production of substantially enantiomerically pure products from prochiral starting material with the catalyst. The BEA topology zeolite may be a BETA zeolite, an acid BEA topology zeolite, an acid NU-2 zeolite, or an ammonium BEA topology zeolite. The metal in the metal-binap complex is ruthenium, iridium, nickel, or rhodium. The zeolite is normally impregnated with a solution of the metal-binap complex. The method is applicable to asymmetric hydrogenation of beta functionalized ketones, betaketoesters, functionalized olefins, and .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated functionalized olefins.

Abstract: A reaction comprising the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, eg in vehicle exhausts, employs a catalyst composed of metal oxide, eg. ceria, particles among which are uniformly incorporated noble metal particles, the particles having such a high interaction that, without hydrogen reduction pre-treatment, the catalyst exhibits the formation of anionic vacancies on the metal oxide surface at a temperature lower than does the corresponding catalyst prepared by impregnation. The catalyst employed is preferably prepared by co-precipitation.

Abstract: A process is provided for the catalytic conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide by feeding a gaseous flow containing carbon monoxide and water droplets into a reactor containing a catalyst and reacting the carbon monoxide with steam in the reactor to obtain carbon dioxide. The flow rate of the gaseous flow containing carbon monoxide and water droplets is accelerated upstream of the catalyst via passage through a venturi-type element so that the water droplets are split into smaller water droplets which either migrate toward the center of the gaseous flow or become evaporated into steam, thereby minimizing pressure drops across the catalyst and minimizing damage to the catalyst due to the impact of the water droplets.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a pollutant harmless by treating a material to be treated containing the pollutant. The method comprises the steps of: heating the material in a pressure resistant vessel hermetically to obtain a heated material; supplying the heated material from the vessel to a nozzle; and jetting out the material from the nozzle to collide against a collecting member arranged opposite to the nozzle.

Abstract: A process of aqueous phase oxidation of effluents, consisting of subjecting the effluents to oxidation in the presence of at least one oxidizing agent inside a reactor having a gaseous phase set up above a liquid phase consisting of the effluents, and subjecting the gaseous phase to catalysis in the presence of at least one heterogeneous catalyst. The oxidation process is carried out at a temperature of between approximately 20.degree. C. and approximately 350.degree. C. under a pressure of between approximately 1 and 160 bars. At least a part of the organic matter and total ammoniated nitrogen contained in the effluents are mineralized. The process includes recycling at least a part of the gaseous phase present in the oxidation reactor after the gaseous phase has passed through the heterogeneous catalyst so as to effectively increase the contact time between the gaseous phase and the heterogeneous catalyst in order to obtain substantial removal of NH.sub.3, COR, and volatile organic compounds.

Abstract: A computer based, iterative process for generating chemical entities with defined physical chemical and/or bioactive properties. During each iteration of the process, (1) a directed diversity chemical library is robotically generated in accordance with robotic synthesis instructions; (2) the compounds in the directed diversity chemical library are analyzed to identify compounds with the desired properties; (3) structure-property data are used to select compounds to be synthesized in the next iteration; and (4) new robotic synthesis instructions are automatically generated to control the synthesis of the directed diversity chemical library for the next iteration.

Abstract: In a method of modernizing a heterogeneous exothermic synthesis reactor (1) of the type comprising an external shell (2), in which at least one catalytic bed (15, 16, 17) is supported, the catalytic bed (15, 16, 17) is connected to an external boiler (21), for generating high pressure steam, by means of a reacted gas outlet nozzle (4) and a conduit (29) extending in said nozzle (4) thereby forming an annular airspace (30). Advantageously, the airspace (30) defines an outlet flowpath of the gases cooled in the boiler (21) which avoids overheating of the nozzle (4).

Abstract: A process and system for the production of inorganic nanoparticles by precipitating the inorganic nanoparticles by a precipitating agent from a microemulsion with a continuous and a non-continuous phase; and concentrating the precipitated nanoparticles employing an ultrafiltration membrane.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for converting a feed, such as a carbonaceous waste, to dissolved atomic constituents for subsequent oxidation of the dissolved atomic constituents. The feed is injected into a molten bath which, at a sufficient temperature, causes conversion of essentially all of the feed to its atomic constituents, such as atomic carbon. Essentially all of the atomic constituents which are to be oxidized in the molten bath dissolve in the molten bath. An oxidant is injected into the molten bath at a rate sufficient to cause the oxidant to exothermically react with the dissolved atomic constituents to heat at least a portion of the molten bath.

Abstract: A continuous process that produces nanoscale powders from different types of precursor material by evaporating the material and quenching the vaporized phase in a converging-diverging expansion nozzle. The precursor material suspended in a carrier gas is continuously vaporized in a thermal reaction chamber under conditions that favor nucleation of the resulting vapor. Immediately after the initial nucleation stages, the vapor stream is rapidly and uniformly quenched at rates of at least 1,000 K/sec, preferably above 1,000,000 K/sec, to block the continued growth of the nucleated particles and produce a nanosize powder suspension of narrow particle-size distribution. The nanopowder is then harvested by filtration from the quenched vapor stream and the carrier medium is purified, compressed and recycled for mixing with new precursor material in the feed stream.

Abstract: A plate-type chemical reactor and method of using same to react two or more mutually separated fluid component streams are disclosed, wherein the reactor contains one or more reactor plates including at least one reaction-chamber reactor plate; at least one reaction chamber formed on a front facial surface of the reaction-chamber reactor plate(s); and at least one heat exchange channel passing through the reaction-chamber reactor plate(s) such that at least one section of heat exchange channel(s) is disposed in a heat exchange relationship with the reaction chamber(s); the reaction chamber containing: a plurality of inlet means for receiving and directing a plurality of mutually separated fluid component streams, a first mixing zone for mixing the separated fluid component streams to form a single at least partially reacted multicomponent fluid stream thereof, and at least one outlet means.

Abstract: An improved methods and systems are provided for transferring heat in a combustion system. The methods and systems provide for alternately exposing a reducing gas and a gas containing molecular oxygen to an unmixed combustion catalyst to respectively reduce and oxidize the unmixed combustion catalyst. The unmixed combustion catalyst is readily reducible when in its oxidized state and is readily oxidized when in its reduced state. The alternating reduction and oxidation reactions enable the unmixed combustion catalyst to efficiently release heat to a heat receiver in efficient thermal contact with the unmixed combustion catalyst. In most embodiments of the present invention, the unmixed combustion catalyst is in a reactor bed of a combustion system.

Abstract: Waste/industrial effluents containing contaminating amounts of organic and/or inorganic species, for example effluents containing sulfate or sulfuric acid values, or effluents emanating from the production of methionine, are safely and effectively purified in high yield, by first establishing, in a first reaction zone, an axially helically descending flowstream defining a phase of combustion, this phase of combustion comprising ignited admixture of a first oxidizing fluid and a combustible fuel; ejecting the phase of combustion through a port of restricted flow passage to impart an axially symmetrical vortex flow thereto and flash-expanding same into a second reaction zone; introducing effluent to be purified into the axially symmetrical vortex thus formed; and also introducing additional oxidizing fluid into such axially symmetrical vortex, whereby the effluent is disintegrated into a multitude of droplets entrained in unit volumes of the phase of combustion and thermally treated in the second reaction zone.

Abstract: An aqueous phase oxidization process for the oxidization of any nonoxidized feed material using a mixture of a feed material, an oxidizing acid, such as nitric acid; oxygen gas, water and preferably a stabilizing acid, such as sulfuric acid. The mixture is pressurized in a reactor and maintained at a temperature no greater than about 210.degree. C. Sufficient oxygen gas is added to increase the pressure beyond the pressure resulting from any gases formed during the oxidation process and to ensure that a substantial portion of reduction products of nitric acid formed during oxidation of the feed are substantially reoxidized to nitric acid.

Abstract: A process for the highly efficient production of hydrocyanic acid by reacting methane and ammonia to yield hydrocyanic acid in a reactor heated by the combustion of fuel gases and coated with a catalyst. The process is characterized in that the reactor consists of a monolithic arrangement of heating and reaction channels, wherein the fuel gas and a gas containing oxygen pass through the heating channels and the reactants pass through the reaction channels, the internal walls of which are coated with the catalyst. The fuel gas is burned in the heating channels. The monolithic structure of the reactor is such that the heating channels and reaction channels are in intimate contact. The cross-section of the channels and the wall thicknesses thereof may be reduced without any loss of mechanical stability. Wall thicknesses of 0.1 to 1 mm are completely adequate.

Abstract: A chemical oxygen or other gas generator which has a container composed of thermally-conductive and gas-impervious material which contains pyrotechnic material, the container being in heat transfer relation with a block of oxygen-producing material for transfer of heat from burning of the pyrotechnic material within the container directly to the block of oxygen-producing material for initiation of decomposition thereof. The container is sealingly attached to the casing so that all of the evolved gases from burning of the pyrotechnic material are segregated from the produced breathable oxygen. The evolved gases are vented from the oxygen generator so as to reduce the ignition chamber pressure and/or allow a greater amount of pyrotechnic material to be burned within the ignition chamber so that a sufficient amount of heat may be generated within the ignition chamber for application to the block of oxygen producing material for initiation of decomposition thereof.

Abstract: Oxidation reactions occurring in a plug flow reactor under conditions approximating supercritical water conditions are controlled by injecting a process stream of water and two reactants in non-stoichiometric proportions into the reactor and causing the process stream to flow through the reactor. Water is injected at one or more points downstream from the inlet to lower the temperature of the process stream and additional reactant injected to re-start the reaction. The quench and re-start process is repeated until substantially all oxidizable material in the process stream has be oxidized.

Abstract: A composition and methods for converting a chrysotile asbestos-containing material to a non-regulated environmentally benign solid which comprises a fluoro acid decomposing agent capable of dissociating the chrysotile asbestos to non-regulated components, wherein non-regulated components are non-reactive with the environment, and a binding agent which binds the non-regulated components to form an environmentally benign solid.

Abstract: A method of producing spherical particles made from inorganic oxides by sol/gel conversion in which a sol is sprayed upwards from below into a reaction zone containing a reactant gas in such a way that the sol does not split up into individual droplets until immediately before or as it enters the reaction zone, and the resulting droplets fly through the reaction zone along a curved trajectory during which they are presolidified, the presolidified droplets being caught in a trap. Also described are spherical particles made from inorganic oxides with a narrow pore diameter distribution and a high resistance to wear which are suitable for use as catalysts, catalyst supports, adsorbents drying agents or ion exchange materials.

Abstract: A reactor for a chemical heat pump including a sealed container provided with a heating and cooling system and having an inside wall, and a solid reagent having an outer surface and disposed in the container, which solid reagent reacts reversibly with a reagent gas inside the container, the solid reagent having dimensions such that a space is defined between the outer surface of the solid reagent and the inside wall of the container. A fluid contact material occupies at least part of the space, the fluid contact material being a good conductor of heat and chemically inert relative to the solid reagent.

Abstract: A steam reformer for converting a reactor fuel into a product gas includes a segmented catalyst bed. The steam reformer side walls have a thermal coefficient of expansion which is greater than the thermal coefficient of expansion of the catalyst. By forming low volume catalyst bed segments in the hotter portions of the catalyst bed, slumping and subsequent damage of the catalyst pellets is minimized. The catalyst bed is divided into segments whose volumes are inversely proportional to the temperatures of the various zones in the reformer. The segments are formed by utilizing sequential catalyst support assemblies which include perforated catalyst support members that are differentially spaced apart from each other by support assembly legs having varying lengths. Catalyst support assemblies with shorter length legs are used in the hotter zones of the reformer, and support assemblies with progressively longer length legs are used in the cooler zones of the reformer.

Abstract: An industrial waste management facility (IWMF) for disposing of spent potlining includes a co-current gas-fired rotary kiln for containing a molten pool of spent potlining throughout the entire length of the rotary kiln from the inlet to the outlet, an ash quencher and cooler for receiving molten residue from the discharge end of the rotary kiln, a secondary combustion chamber, and a down-draft transition chamber for channeling discharge gases from the rotary kiln to the secondary combustion chamber. Pneumatic injection slingers feed and distribute spent potlining into the inlet end of the rotary kiln. A discharge dam provides a predetermined average depth of molten bath material in the rotary kiln over its entire length. A blended ratio of comminuted materials injected through the pneumatic injection slinger feeder is adjusted and controlled in response to signals received from a radiative optical kiln bath temperature measurement system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the silylation of very finely divided inorganic oxides, in which the very finely divided inorganic oxides are treated with at least one silylating agent which is relatively nonvolatile in the temperature range of the overall process, with the proviso that the relatively nonvolatile silylating agent is admixed with the very finely divided inorganic oxides as a liquid, in the form of a very finely atomized aerosol. Furthermore, the invention relates to a highly apolar, pyrogenic silica prepared by this process.

Abstract: A computer based, iterative process for generating chemical entities with defined physical, chemical and/or bioactive properties. During each iteration of the process, (1) a directed diversity chemical library is robotically generated in accordance with robotic synthesis instructions; (2) the compounds in the directed diversity chemical library are analyzed to identify compounds with the desired properties; (3) structure-property data are used to select compounds to be synthesized in the next iteration; and (4) new robotic synthesis instructions are automatically generated to control the synthesis of the directed diversity chemical library for the next iteration.

Abstract: A faulty chemical reactor in a chemical plant is removed, heat exchange is conducted between the faulty chemical reactor and a new chemical reactor with which the faulty chemical reactor is to be replaced, and then the new chemical reactor is installed at the position from which the faulty chemical reactor was previously removed.

Abstract: A microwave-heatable pressure reactor is provided for continuous or discontinuous treatment of liquid. The liquid is conveyed by means of a high-pressure pump in a pipeline which extends into a microwave-heatable zone of the pressure container into which it finally lets out through the free opening with a volume of pipe sufficient for the treatment of a desired quantity of liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of decomposing a chemical compound, which may be an environmentally undesirable material, is accomplished by impinging a flow of the chemical compound on a heated member. Various embodiments are possible, including having the member have a plurality of openings, having the member be configured to direct the flow of the chemical compound in a particular direction, and having the member be self supported on the wall of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: In the method for the chemical reaction of gaseous educts the educts are brought to reaction in a phase contact apparatus 1 in the presence of a catalytically active corrosive liquid. This corrosive liquid is delivered hydropneumatically in an intermittent cycle in the circuit from a sump vessel 4 connected to the lower end of the phase contact apparatus 1 to a supply vessel 9, connected to the upper end of the phase contact apparatus (delivery cycle), from which the corrosive liquid drains through the phase contact apparatus 1 and a connecting line 11 connected at its lower end and then collects in the sump vessel 4 (drainage cycle).

Abstract: A combination reaction chamber and gas/solids separator is provided in a common reactor vessel. The reactor is capable of carrying out various types of gas/solids reactions within the reaction chamber and, contemporaneously, separates the gas from the particulate solids by way of a separator disposed within the reaction chamber. Gas exits the reaction chamber through an outlet disposed along a central axis of the chamber. Solids exit the chamber through an outlet disposed along the outer periphery of the chamber. The reactor provides improved mass transfer rates as well as selective residence times.

Abstract: An improved catalyst assembly for vapor/liquid contact towers. Catalyst media used to promote chemical reactions is secured substantially in the liquid phase of the tower, such as in the lower portion thereof for improving mass transfer efficiency. Unlike previous process tower assemblies, wherein distillation in conjunction with chemical reaction occurs in the vapor phase or in a mixed phase, the present invention substantially confines the reaction step to the liquid phase. In this manner, the reaction is less obstructive to vapor flow within the tower, promoting better mixing and diffusion of the feed components.

Abstract: A reactor enclosed in a pressure vessel in a manner that the walls of the pressure vessel are thermally insulated and chemically isolated from the harsh environment of the reaction zone in the reactor. This allows the pressure vessel to handle the high pressures involved, since it is maintained at a reasonably low temperature range. Simultaneously, it allows the reactor to handle the high temperatures involved, since the pressure differentials around it are only minimal.

Abstract: An endothermic reaction furnace includes one or more elongated tubes defining therein an endothermic reaction flow path and a combustion flow path for providing heat to drive the endothermic reaction. The combustion flow path is arranged so that fuel and combustion air are separately heated by the heat inside the furnace to significantly above their autoignition temperature before being combined in a combustion zone where they mix, autoignite and burn.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for catalyzing sequential reductive dehalogenation reactions on aliphatic halocarbons using free radical intermediates. More specifically, this invention involves the use of biologically derived peroxidases in the generation of a variety of oxidation or reduction agents consisting of cation radicals, anion radicals, neutral radicals, or oxygen radicals. Such oxidation and reduction agents can be employed in combination to carry out sequential reductive dehalogenation reactions on aliphatic halocarbons to thereby degrade various recalcitrant organic compounds such as organic environmental pollutants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a slurry of metal oxide in a mineral or the like (e.g. of magnesium or calcium oxide) and introducing the slurry to an acid neutralization process in a time period before substantial hydration of the oxide has occurred.

Abstract: Methods and reaction systems are disclosed that are adapted for forming crystallites having novel crystal habits and/or morphologies compared to conventional crystallites of the same chemical composition. The methods and reaction systems involve chemical reactions between at least two reactant compounds occurring in a liquid (or gel) that form insoluble crystallite products. At least one of the reactants is rendered soluble in a solvent in which the reactant is not normally soluble by adding an agent that forms soluble molecular complexes of the agent and the reactant. The complexing agent not only facilitates dissolution of the reactant in the solvent but also plays a role in how the faces of crystals comprising the crystallite product are enlarged during formation of the product. Products having such altered crystallite structure have a number of possible uses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for the preparation of aluminium nitride by the carbonitriding of alumina.According to this process, the reaction, which employs alumina, carbon and nitrogen, is carried out in a moving-bed reactor characterized in that the reaction area has a plurality of conduits.

Abstract: Disclosed are a fixed-bed, cross-flow catalytic reactor wherein reaction heat can be exchanged against a heat exchange medium circulating indirectly through the catalyst bed, and a catalytic process comprising operation of the cross-flow reactor. The reactor comprises a catalyst bed having internally embedded banks of heat exchange tubes. An inlet distributor distributes reactants along the axial length of the bed. The distributed fluid passes through the bed in a cross-flow path wherein a catalytic reaction occurs. The reaction effluent is then collected from the bed by an outlet product collector. A heat exchange medium circulated through the internal heat exchange tubes adds or removes reaction heat as required for enhanced conversion in the reactor. Multiple heat exchange tubes can be used, and inlet and discharge manifolds are provided for distributing the circulating heat exchange medium.

Abstract: A method for rendering asbestos in an asbestos-containing material harmless comprises wetting the material with an aqueous solution containing about 1 to 25% by weight of an organic acid, such as trifluoroacetic acid and at least 1% by weight of a source of fluoride ions, such as ammonium fluoride. The acid hydrolyses the magnesium oxide units in asbestos while the fluoride ions attack the interleaved silica layers in the crystal structure of asbestos, thereby destroying the fibrous nature of the asbestos. Wetting with the solutions also facilitates the removal of asbestos-containing material from the substrate on which it is installed.

Abstract: A method treating effluent gases including exposing the gases to silicon or a silicon rich alloy or substances at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: Methods for synthesis of chemical compounds by catalytic transfer hydrogenation comprise forming a mixture of a starting material, a hydrogen donor material and a catalyst. The catalyst is selected from a catalytic form of carbon, a polyethylene glycol phase transfer agent, and mixtures thereof. The mixture is heated at a temperature of from 30.degree. to 400.degree. C. in the presence of at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal compound to cause reduction of the starting material by catalytic transfer hydrogenation and form the desired chemical compound product.