Abstract: A process to recover optically active epoxy alcohols from asymmetric epoxidation reaction mixtures such as those produced using the Sharpless method of epoxidation of allylic alcohols. The process includes adding a reducing agent to reduce an organic hydroperoxide in the asymmetric epoxidation reaction product to a corresponding alcohol to form a reduced epoxidation reaction mixture; adding the reduced reaction product to a film evaporation unit to form a residue fraction and an optically active epoxy alcohol distillate fraction; and distilling the optically active epoxy alcohol distillate fraction to purify the optically active epoxy alcohol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuously operated process for the purification by distillation of the oxirane formed in the oxirane synthesis by reaction of a hydroperoxide with an organic compound, wherein the crude oxirane is separated in a dividing wall column into low-, intermediate- and high-boiling fractions and the oxirane is taken off as intermediate boiler at the side offtake in a concentration of at least 99.9%.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, derivative, prodrug or stereoisomer thereof are provided: wherein the substituent groups defined by R are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, SiR?3, SOR?, SO2X, C(?O)R?, C(?O)OR?, C(?O)NR?, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl or aralkyl; the group R? is selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, aminoalkyl, aryl, aralkyl and heterocyclic groups; and the group R? is selected from the group consisting of H, OH, OR?, OCOR?, SH, SR?, SOR?, SO2R?, NO2, NH2, NHR?, N(R?)2, NHCOR?, N(COR?)2, NHSO2R?, CN, halogen, C(?O)H, C(?O)R?, CO2H, CO2R?, CH2OR, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted haloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylidene, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substit

Abstract: A process for crystallizing an epoxy compound, which comprises the steps of: (A) cooling a solution containing a crude product of an epoxy compound, which contains as a main component the epoxy compound represented by the formula (1): wherein Ar1, Ar2 and Ar3 are the same or different and each denotes any one of divalent groups represented by the following formulas: to an internal temperature T1° C. to precipitate crystals of the epoxy compound represented by the formula (1), thus obtaining a suspension; (B) heating the suspension obtained in the step (A) to a temperature T2° C. which satisfies the formula (I) T1<T2<T??(I) wherein T denotes a saturation temperature of the epoxy compound in the solution containing a crude product of the epoxy compound used in the step (A); and (C) cooling the suspension heated to the temperature T2° C. in the step (B) to a temperature T3° C. which satisfies the following formula (II).

Abstract: An epoxy compound of the formula (1): wherein, R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and Ar represents an optionally substituted aromatic group, can be purified by dissolving a crude product containing the epoxy compound (1), an aprotic polar solvent and an alkali metal salt in a two-phase solvent composed of water and an organic solvent, which is capable of phase-separating from water, obtaining the organic layer by phase separation, washing with water and then subjecting to isolation of the epoxy compound (1) without decomposition.

Abstract: A process for producing oleochemical polyols comprises the steps of epoxidizing unsaturated oil using an organic acid together with oxygenated water or a per-acid to obtain epoxidized oil; washing the epoxidized oil with salt water to remove unused organic acid together with oxygenated water or a per-acid; neutralizing acidic condition of the washed epoxidized oil with a base; washing the neutralized epoxidized oil with a salt solution until the pH of the neutralized epoxidized oil reaching 6.5 to 7.5 to removed the base residue; drying the washed neutralized epoxidized oil under vacuum; and reacting the washed neutralized dried epoxidized oil with polyhydric alcohol in the presence of boron trifluoride-diethylether complex to produce the oleochemical polyols. The oleochemical polyols are then subjected to the same washing, neutralizing, washing and drying process as in preparing the washed neutralized dried epoxidized oil.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods of treating or preventing the effects of irradiation in a human or non-human animal using carotenoid compounds, preferably diadinoxanthin, diatoxanthin and/or fucoxanthin as well as photoprotective compositions and their use to prepare photoprotective or photoprotected products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the reduction of residual peroxides in vegetable oils, preferably epoxidized vegetable oils using a phosphorous compound preferably alkyl/aryl substituted phosphite compounds or hypophosphorous acid and its derivatives.

Abstract: A method of separating propylene oxide from a mixture (M) comprising 5 to 50 percent by weight propylene oxide and 50 to 85 percent by weight methanol, said method comprising (i) introducing said mixture (M) into an extractive distillation column; (ii) additionally introducing a polar solvent into said extractive distillation column; (iii) distilling propylene oxide overhead from said extractive distillation column at a bottoms temperature of from 40 to 70° C. and at a pressure of from 300 to 750 mbar.

Abstract: A process for purifying propylene oxide characterized by subjecting a liquid reaction mixture containing propylene oxide, and water, hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing organic compounds as impurities obtained by reacting cumene hydroperoxide with propylene to extractive distillation using an extractant of a hydrocarbon having 7 to 20 carbon atoms with an extractive distillation column, and controlling a concentration of propylene glycol in the extractant supplied to the extractive distillation column to 20% by weight or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method capable of suppressing a decrease in optical purity due to the exposure to heat during distillation of an optically active epoxide to permit an optically active epoxide of high quality to be simply obtained on an industrial scale. In the method, an optically active epoxide is distilled in the presence of a base to suppress a decrease in optical purity.

Abstract: Phosphine and/or phosphine oxide promoters are effectively separated from propylene oxide reaction solvents through use of a membrane effective to retain the phosphine and/or phosphine oxide.

Abstract: An aqueous stream containing propylene glycol and/or ethers thereof is treated by counter current liquid—liquid extraction with propylene and/or propane to separate the propylene glycol and/or ether from the aqueous stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of removing organic halogen-containing compounds from a liquid stream mainly containing one or more of the compounds selected from the group consisting of glycol, water and alcohol, which process involves contacting the stream with an ion-exchange material containing basic anions selected from the group of hydroxide, carbonate and bicarbonate.

Abstract: Oxidation products are recovered from a mixture of the products in a dense phase or supercritical solvent by a liquid—liquid extraction at dense phase conditions.

Abstract: A mixture containing a monohydric alkyl alcohol and an alkoxysilane is purified by (i) adding an organic salt or an inorganic salt to the monohydric alkyl alcohol and the alkoxysilane; (ii) mixing the organic or inorganic salt with the monohydric alkyl alcohol and the alkoxysilane; and (iii) separating from (ii) a first phase containing the alkoxysilane, and a second phase containing the monohydric alcohol and the organic or inorganic salt. The preferred salt is lithium chloride, and the monohydric alkyl alcohol is most typically methyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of propylene oxide in the presence of methanol, in which propylene oxide is separated from a mixture propylene oxide and methanol, and the resultant methanol containing mixture is worked up, including seperating methanol from a mixture comprising methanol and methyl formate during the work-up.

Abstract: In a process for purification of ethylene oxide by distillation an aqueous mixture comprising ethylene oxide, formaldehyde and at least 5% by weight of water is introduced via a feed into a distillation apparatus comprising at least one distillation column, the mixture being introduced at a height above the bottom of at least 8 theoretical stages, the ethylene oxide is taken off at the top and in the bottom phase a mixture is obtained which contains less than 5% by weight of ethylene oxide.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a zeolite catalyst comprises thermal treatment of the catalyst at above 120° C. in the presence of a gas stream comprising hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to alicyclic epoxy compounds obtained by selectively hydrogenating aromatic rings of aromatic epoxy compounds in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, the concentration of the platinum group element in the product alicyclic epoxy compound being not more than 2 ppm.

Abstract: A process for the purification of a crude propene oxide containing methanol and acetaldehyde by a continuously operated extractive distillation using an extraction solvent lowering the volatility of methanol and feeding a compound containing an unsubstituted NH2 group capable of reacting with acetaldehyde to a distillation column at a point above the feeding point of the crude propene oxide to give a purified propene oxide containing less than 100 ppm methanol and less than 100 ppm acetaldehyde. There is also disclosed a process for the catalytic epoxidation of propene that includes this purification stage.

Abstract: A process is described for purifying propylene oxide, which includes the step of distilling propylene oxide containing impurities in the presence of a hydrocarbon having 5 carbon atoms or less. According to the present invention, a process is provided for purifying propylene oxide which has a feature that impurities contained in a solution containing propylene oxide to be purified can be efficiently removed. Oxygen-containing impurities, in particular, can be very efficiently removed.

Abstract: A method for processing at least one cyclic organo-oxide using a closed loop scrubber/holding tank system that contains at least one amine, and circulating the amine through the closed loop while admitting the cyclic organo-oxide to the closed loop.

Abstract: A mixture (M1) comprising an alkene and oxygen is worked up by a process in which (i) oxygen is removed from the mixture (M1) by a nondistillative method to give a mixture (M2) and (ii) the alkene is separated off from the mixture (M2) by distillation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of an enantiomerically enriched non-racemic chiral diol and an enantiomerically enriched non-racemic chiral epoxy compound by a hydrolytic kinetic resolution reaction. The process includes the step of contacting oxygen and mixture including a racemic chiral epoxy compound, a non-racemic Co(II) complex catalyst, an aromatic carboxylic acid and water, at a temperature and length of time sufficient to produce a mixture of said non-racemic chiral diol and said non-racemic chiral epoxy compound. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of an enantiomerically enriched non-racemic chiral diol and an enantiomerically enriched non-racemic chiral epoxy compound by a hydrolytic kinetic resolution reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of methods that are based on stereoselective epoxidation of an olefin by an epoxidizing agent derived from a reaction between an oxidizing agent and a chiral ketone. For example, present invention provides methods for producing an epoxide from an olefin, for increasing a relative concentration of at least one stereoisomer of an olefin, and for stereoselectively producing an &agr;-acyloxy carbonyl compound. Preferably, the chiral ketone is of the formula: or a derivative thereof which is capable of converting to the chiral ketone of Formula I under the reaction conditions, where a, b, n, X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are those defined herein.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, methods have been developed for the reduction of the chloride content of epoxy compound starting materials. Invention methods comprise fractionating an epoxy compound starting material into portions (e.g., fractions or cuts) having different chloride content relative to the epoxy compound starting material. Certain of these collected portions (i.e., the portions fractionated and collected after collection of the forecut and before discontinuation of the fractionation) contain substantially reduced chloride levels relative to the epoxy compound starting material.

Abstract: An integrated process and apparatus for integrating an alkene derivative process, such as ethylene oxide process, with an ethylene process so that any ethylene entrapped in the purge stream of the alkene derivative process can be effectively recovered through the ethylene process portion of the integrated process.

Abstract: A process for producing propylene oxide comprising the following steps: oxidation step: a step of obtaining isopropylbenzene hydroperoxide by oxidizing isopropylbenzene; epoxidation step: a step of obtaining propylene oxide and cumyl alcohol by reacting propylene with isopropylbenzene hydroperoxide obtained in the oxidation step; hydrogenolysis step: a step of obtaining isopropylbenzene by hydrogenolyzing cumyl alcohol obtained in the epoxidation step, and recycling this isopropylbenzene to the oxidation step as a raw material of the oxidation step; and organic acid removal step: a step of removing an organic acid out of the system in at least one point in said steps or between said steps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the working up of a product stream from the epoxidation of olefins that contains olefin, olefin oxide, water-miscible organic solvent and water, by separating this product stream into an overhead product containing olefin, olefin oxide and organic solvent, and into a bottom product containing organic solvent and water, wherein the separation takes place in a pre-evaporator with at most 5 theoretical separation stages, and 20 to 60% of the total amount of organic solvent introduced with the product stream is removed with the overhead product and the residue remains in the bottom product, as well as a process for the epoxidation of olefins that includes this working up stage.

Abstract: An optical resolver comprising an optically active substance made of tris-(2,3-epoxypropyl)isocyanurate, is presented. The optical resolver comprises an optically active tris-(epoxyalkyl)isocyanurate or its derivative, or an optically active derivative of a tris-(epoxyalkyl)isocyanurate. Particularly, the optical resolver comprises optically active tris-(2,3-epoxypropyl)isocyanurate or its derivative, or an optically active derivative of tris-(2,3-epoxypropyl)isocyanurate. Having supported on a carrier, an optically active tris-(2,3-epoxypropyl)isocyanurate or its derivative, or an optically active derivative of tris-(2,3-epoxypropyl)isocyanurate, can be made to be a packing for use in high-performance liquid chromatography, whereby efficient optical resolution can be carried out.

Abstract: A method for stereoselective chemical synthesis, includes the steps of: (A) reacting a nucleophile and chiral or prochiral cyclic subtrate, said substrate comprising a carbocycle or a heterocycle having a reactive center susceptible to nucleophilic attack by the nucleophile, in the presence of a chiral non-racemic catalyst to produce a product mixture comprising a stereomerically enriched product wherein the product mixture further comprises a catalyst residue, at least a portion of the catalyst residue is in a first oxidation state, and the catalyst residue in the first oxidation state is active in catalyzing degradation of the stereoisomerically enriched product, and (B) chemically or electochemically changing the oxidation state of the catalyst residue from the first oxidation state to a second oxidation state, wherein catalyst residue in the second oxidation state is less active in catalyzing degradation of the stereoisomerically enriched product than is catalyst residue in the first oxidation state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the catalytic epoxidation of olefins in which in one reaction stage the olefin is reacted with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in an organic, water-miscible solvent in the presence of a titanium silicalite catalyst, wherein an exit gas stream is obtained which contains olefin oxide, unreacted olefin and oxygen and this exit gas stream is brought into contact in an absorption unit with the same solvent as used in the reaction stage and a solvent stream loaded with olefin and olefin oxide is drawn off from the absorption unit and an exit gas stream containing oxygen is discharged.

Abstract: An organic polymeric optical waveguide and methods of making same are described herein. The waveguide can be used in an integrated optical waveguide device. The organic polymeric material can be formed from monomers described herein in ratios to obtain a certain effect.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering and purifying 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxidation effluent gas obtained by the vapor phase, catalytic, partial oxidation of 1,3-butadiene (butadiene) with molecular oxygen in the presence of a silver catalyst wherein the epoxybutene-laden epoxidation product gas is reacted with a water-miscible solvent to absorb the epoxybutene. The disclosed process includes a method of separating epoxybutene from the solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps.

Abstract: A process for the working up of a product stream from the epoxidation of olefins that contains olefin, olefin oxide, water-miscible organic solvent and water, by separating this product stream into an overhead product containing olefin, olefin oxide and organic solvent, and into a bottom product containing organic solvent and water, wherein the separation takes place in a pre-evaporator with less than 10 theoretical separation stages at a pressure of 1.5 to less than 3 bar, and 20 to 60% of the total amount of organic solvent introduced with the product stream is removed with the overhead product and the balance remains in the bottom product. A process for the epoxidation of olefins that includes this working up stage is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the recovery and purification of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from mixtures comprising epoxybutene and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons containing five to seven carbon atoms having boiling points between about 20° C. and 115° C. by means of extractive distillation of the epoxybutene using certain extractive distillation solvents.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid; 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid; polyphenolic polymers, fatty acids; and mixtures thereof from birch bark.

Abstract: A process for purifying propylene oxide, which comprises distilling propylene oxide containing impurities in the presence of a hydrocarbon having 5 carbon atoms or less. According to the present invention, a process for purifying propylene oxide which has a feature that impurities contained in a solution containing propylene oxide to be purified can be efficiently removed, especially, oxygen-containing impurities can be very efficiently removed, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tetramethylbiphenyl type high performance epoxy resin composition and a curable epoxy resin composition containing the epoxy resin, useful in electrical and electronic fields and the like. The tetramethylbiphenyl type epoxy resin composition comprises an epoxy resin composition obtained by reacting 4,4′-dihydroxy-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbiphenyl and an epihalohydrin in the presence of an alkali metal compound. The composition has a content of tetramethyldiphenoquinone of 0.5% by weight or less and a content of a glycidyl compound represented by the following structural formula (1): of 0.5% by weight or less. The curable epoxy resin composition contains the epoxy resin composition and a hardener for the epoxy resin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering and purifying 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxidation effluent gas obtained by the vapor phase, catalytic, partial oxidation of 1,3-butadiene (butadiene) with molecular oxygen in the presence of a silver catalyst wherein the epoxybutene-laden epoxidation product gas is reacted with a water-miscible solvent to absorb the epoxybutene. The disclosed process includes a method of separating epoxybutene from the solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps.

Abstract: A crystallized epoxy resin which is easy to blend with a hardener or the like is a crystallized product of an epoxy resin derived from 4,4′-dihydroxy-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbiphenyl and an epihalohydrin, and the ratio of an endotherm between 50° C. and 130° C. to an endotherm between 80° C. and 125° C., measured by raising the temperature at a rate of 10° C. per minute using a DSC device, is 1.03 or more.

Abstract: Epoxyalkanes are subjected to at least one of the following washing operations: (1) washing with aqueous inorganic base, and then with aqueous borohydride, or vice versa; or (2) washing with an aqueous solution of both inorganic base and borohydride. Undesirable odor is reduced or eliminated from alkanediol(s), if produced from the treated epoxyalkane(s) by hydrolysis. Use of such washing procedures in the production of alkanediols is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of recovering 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxybutene-laden reaction product gas by absorption into a high-boiling solvent. Also disclosed is a process for the purification of the epoxybutene by separating epoxybutene from the solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps.

Abstract: A mixture of propylene oxide and methanol is separated by liquid/liquid extraction using water and a hydrocarbon such as n-octane as extractive solvents.

Abstract: A process for producing a phenolic resin of good hue, characterized by reacting a hydroxylated aromatic compound with an unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon compound in the presence of both active hydrogen and a reducing metal compound with the aid of an acid catalyst, subsequently deactivating the catalyst, and then removing the catalyst, the metal compound, and the starting materials remaining unreacted; and a process for producing an epoxy resin which comprises a step of reacting the phenolic resin with an epihalohydrin. By these processes, a phenolic resin and an epoxy resin are obtained which each is colored little and has an excellent hue. These resins are useful as resins for electrically insulating materials, especially as resins for semiconductor encapsulation materials and for laminated plates.

Abstract: After 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene is epoxidized with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst containing a tungsten compound, a quaternary onium salt and a mineral acid, to obtain a liquid reaction mixture containing the resultant 1,2-epoxy-5,9-cyclododecadiene, the catalyst, non-reacted hydrogen peroxide and non-reacted 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene and being phase-separated into an oil phase fraction and an aqueous phase fraction, at least the oil phase fraction of the liquid reaction mixture is treated with an aqueous alkali solution to deactivate and remove the non-reacted hydrogen peroxide and the catalyst contained in at least the oil phase fraction.

Abstract: A process for producing phenol resin having good color tone, which process comprises reacting hydroxyl group-containing aromatic compound and unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon under the condition that the moisture is 100 ppm or less and the concentration of Friedel-Crafts catalyst is 0.07 mass % or less in a reaction system and a process for producing epoxy resin having good color tone, which process comprises reacting the obtained phenol resin and epihalohydrin in the presence of base catalyst, removing remaining catalyst and further removing unreacted epihalohydrin.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of the compounds of formula (wherein R has the meanings reported in the specification) by enzymatic transesterification of enantiomeric mixtures is described. These compounds are intermediates useful in the synthesis of Diltiazem.

Abstract: The invention provides for a purified glycidyl ester product prepared from neo acids wherein said ester product is recovered as a light fraction from a glycidyl ester reaction product composition that has been subjected to conditions of temperature and vacuum in a thin film, short pass distillation evaporator, said purified glycidyl ester product further characterized that its polymerizable reaction product with methacrylic acid has a higher effective glass transition temperature as compared with the polymerizable reaction product with methacrylic acid of said glycidyl ester reaction product composition prior to purification.