Abstract: Polyphase biodegradable compositions having a good resistance to ageing comprising a continuous phase comprising at least one hydrophobic polyester and at least one dispersed phase of polymer of vegetable origin. The hydrophobic polyester constituting the continuous phase is incompatible with the polymer of vegetable origin. The compositions comprise a plasticizer comprising at least 75% of a mixture of diglycerol, triglycerol and tetraglycerol.

Abstract: A method of making di-TMP includes reacting TMP and a dialkyl carbonate in the presence of a base catalyst in a reaction medium to form an oxetane of TMP in the reaction medium; providing additional TMP and an acid catalyst to the reaction mixture and reacting the oxetane in situ with the additional TMP to produce di-TMP; and recovering di-TMP. The process may be carried out in sequential reaction zones by feeding the reaction medium forward or carried out sequentially in a single reactor. Preferably, one or all of the following conditions are met: (i) said acid catalyst is a strong acid catalyst or (ii) said base catalyst is a strong base catalyst; or (iii) the molar ratio of TMP/dialkyl carbonate employed in the method is greater than 2.5.

Abstract: Process for obtaining ditrimethylolpropane and trimethylolpropane-enriched product streams from the high-boiling fractions and residues which are obtained in the distillative purification of trimethylolpropane, characterized in that these high-boiling fractions and residues are combined and a polar solvent is added to produce a solution and the solution is treated at a temperature of 120 to 280° C. and at a pressure of 2 to 25 MPa with hydrogen in the presence of a solid nickel catalyst and an acidic compound. After catalytic treatment, the solution is subjected to multi-stage distillation including with a thin film evaporator with a column attachment in order to recover ditrimethylolpropane and trimethylolpropane-enriched product streams.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing dipropylene glycol (DPG) and/or tripropylene glycol (TPG) including: (A) reacting a raw material liquid including propylene oxide and water to obtain a reaction liquid including unreacted water, propylene glycol (PG), DPG and/or TPG, and an alcohol compound excluding PG, DPG, and TPG; (B) separating, from the reaction liquid, a first liquid containing water and the alcohol compound and a second liquid containing the PG, DPG and/or TPG and optionally the alcohol compound; (C) removing a part of the alcohol compound from the first liquid to obtain a third liquid containing water and optionally a part of the alcohol compound; (D) separating, from the second liquid, a fourth liquid containing the PG and optionally the alcohol compound, and a fifth liquid containing the DPG and/or TPG and optionally the alcohol compound; and (E) recycling a part of the third liquid to step (A).

Abstract: A process for glycerol etherification, including a recycle of glycerol and/or mono-ether, to produce glycerol alkyl ethers with low amount of mono-ether by reacting glycerol and olefinic hydrocarbon, and/or the corresponding aldehydes, ketones and alcohols, having 2 to 10 carbon atoms in the presence of homogeneous acid catalyst with hindered formation of olefin oligomers comprising of two essential steps: reaction step (1) neutralization and salt removal step (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining ditrimethylolpropane and trimethylolpropane-enriched product streams from the high-boiling fractions and residues which are obtained in the distillative purification of trimethylolpropane, wherein an aqueous solution of these fractions and residues is catalytically hydrogenated in the presence of an acidic compound and, after removing solids, contacted both with basic and with acidic ion exchangers. A trimethylolpropane-enriched product stream can be distilled out of the aqueous eluate obtained, leaving ditrimethylolpropane as the distillation residue.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for preparing glycerol ether or glycol ether comprising the reaction of a compound of formula (II) with a compound of formula (III) in the presence of a heterogeneous acid catalyst of formulas (II) and (III).

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing di-TMP by reacting n-butyl aldehyde (NBD), formaldehyde and a base, said method including a first step of reacting the NBD, formaldehyde (1) and a base (I) to obtain a reaction mixture solution containing trimethylolpropane (TMP), di-TMP and 2-ethyl-2-propenal (ECR); a second step of distilling the reaction mixture solution to recover the ECR therefrom; and a third step of sequentially adding the ECR recovered by distillation, and adding at least one of a base (II) and formaldehyde (2), to the reaction mixture solution from which the ECR has been recovered by distillation, and thereby allowing a reaction for production of the di-TMP to proceed gradually, in which TMP is added in any one of the first to third steps or in plural steps of the first to third steps.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for the highly selective production of dipropylene glycol containing 1,1?-oxybis-2-propanol in a proportion of 0.10 to 0.70 and/or tripropylene glycol containing 1,1?[(1-methyl-1,2-ethanediyl) bis (oxy)]bis-2-propanol in a proportion of 0.10 to 0.70. The present invention is a method for producing dipropylene glycol containing 1,1?-oxybis-2-propanol in a proportion of 0.10 to 0.70 and/or tripropylene glycol containing 1,1?[(1-methyl-1,2-ethanediyl) bis (oxy)]bis-2-propanol in a proportion of 0.10 to 0.70, the method comprising a reaction step of making a reactant comprising propylene oxide and water react in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises at least one element selected from the group consisting of vanadium, niobium, and tantalum, and the Hammett acidity function (H) of the catalyst satisfies H?9.3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a polyol ether of formula (I), comprising a step of reductive alkylation involving a compound of general formula (II) and a compound of general formula (III): in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in claim 1.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a 1-alkyl glycerol ether of the formula (I) in which: (a) an alkyl glycidyl ether of the formula (II) in which R is an unbranched or branched C1- to C24-alkyl group, where the alkyl group may be substituted with one or more hydroxy and/or C1- to C4-alkoxy group(s) and/or the alkyl chain may be interrupted by up to four oxygen atoms, is added to: (x) a carboxylic acid having 1-10 carbon atoms; (y) an ester of a carboxylic acid having 1-10 carbon atoms; and/or (z) an anhydride of a carboxylic acid having 1-10 carbon atoms. The low-water reaction mixture containing a catalytic amount of a strong acid is reacted at a temperature of more than 40° C. to give an acylated alkyl glycerol ether; and (b) the acylated alkyl glycerol ether is reacted in order to obtain the alkyl glycerol ether of the formula (I).

Abstract: Polyol ether compounds and processes for their preparation. A representative process comprises melting a polyol, and reacting the molten polyol, a carbonyl compound, and hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to provide the poly of ether. The polyol ether has surfactant properties.

Abstract: Process for obtaining ditrimethylolpropane and trimethylolpropane-enriched product streams from the high-boiling fractions and residues which are obtained in the distillative purification of trimethylolpropane includes three stage distillation characterized in that second and third stages are configured as thin film evaporators with a column attachment with the second stage facilitating trimethylopropane recovery and the third stage facilitating ditrimethylolpropane recovery.

Abstract: New polyol ether compounds and a process for their preparation. The process comprises reacting a polyol, a carbonyl compound, and hydrogen in the presence of hydrogenation catalyst, to provide the polyol ether. The molar ratio of polyol to carbonyl compound in the process is greater than 5:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for accelerated preparation of linear polymers of polyhydric alcohols using microwave irradiation as the heat element in the presence of specified catalysts.

Abstract: Methods of making reduced derivatives of hydroxymethyl furfural using metal catalysts are described. The derivatives may have tetrahydrofuran or furan nucleus with alkoxymethyl ether or ester moieties on the 5? carbon and methanol on the 2? carbon. Suitable metal catalyst include Raney nickel, a nickel catalyst with a zirconium promoter, a chromite catalyst with a barium, a palladium catalyst, such as palladium on carbon, or a ruthenium catalyst. Also provided are a new class of compounds, which are n-alkoxy hexane diols (i.e., 1,2 or 1,5 hexane diol ethers) and methods of making the same by reduction of furan or tetrahydrofuran derivatives.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of reducing the deposition of organic contaminants, such as pitch and stickies, in papermaking processes.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing di-TMP by reacting n-butyl aldehyde (NBD), formaldehyde and a base, said method including a first step of reacting the NBD, formaldehyde (1) and a base (I) to obtain a reaction mixture solution containing trimethylolpropane (TMP), di-TMP and 2-ethyl-2-propenal (ECR); a second step of distilling the reaction mixture solution to recover the ECR therefrom; and a third step of sequentially adding the ECR recovered by distillation, and adding at least one of a base (II) and formaldehyde (2), to the reaction mixture solution from which the ECR has been recovered by distillation, and thereby allowing a reaction for production of the di-TMP to proceed gradually, in which TMP is added in any one of the first to third steps or in plural steps of the first to third steps.

Abstract: This patent application has as purpose the application/utilization of esters and ethers derived from xylitol, obtained by organic synthesis, as alternative emollient, moisturizing, emulsifier and co-emulsifier and preservatives for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and veterinarian products. The molecules required in this invention patent are mainly xylitol esters and ethers associated to the chains of fatty acids and alcohols (FIGS. 1 and 2), applied isolated or in association with other molecules of known preserving and/or moisturizing/emollient actions, such as phenoxyethanol, butylene glycol, glycerin, caprylyl glycol, ethyl hexyl glycerin, phenetyl alcohol, nisin, lactoferrin, among others, as well as in association with other emollient/moisturizing and preservatives for application in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and veterinarian formulations.

Abstract: Methods of making reduced derivatives of hydroxymethyl furfural using metal catalysts are described. The derivatives may have tetrahydrofuran or furan nucleus with alkoxymethyl ether or ester moieties on the 5? carbon and methanol on the 2? carbon. Suitable metal catalyst include Raney nickel, a nickel catalyst with a zirconium promoter, a chromite catalyst with a barium, a palladium catalyst, such as palladium on carbon, or a ruthenium catalyst. Also provided are a new class of compounds, which are n-alkoxy hexane diols (i.e., 1,2 or 1,5 hexane diol ethers) and methods of making the same by reduction of furan or tetrahydrofuran derivatives.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of converting glycerol into organic reaction products. The method may include mixing glycerol with a monohydric alcohol. The mixture of glycerol and monohydric alcohol is then reacted in the presence of a heterogeneous nano-structured catalyst, wherein the monohydric alcohol is present at subcritical/supercritical temperatures and pressures. This converts the glycerol into one or more reaction products, wherein the reaction products include an oxygenated organic reaction product. Ninety percent or greater of the glycerol is converted.

Abstract: A supported silver catalyst and use thereof in a process for producing an alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide, by the direct oxidation of an alkylene with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, wherein the catalyst provides improved stability and improved resilience to reactor upsets and timely recovery to substantially pre-upset levels of catalyst activity and/or efficiency. In some embodiments, the catalyst also exhibits improved activity. A catalyst capable of producing ethylene oxide at a selectivity of at least 87 percent while achieving a work rate of at least 184 kg/h/m3 at a temperature of no greater than 235° C. when operated in a process where the inlet feed to a reactor containing the catalyst comprises ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, wherein the concentration of carbon dioxide in the inlet feed is greater than or equal to 2 mole percent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating ditrimethylol propane from secondary trimethylol propane production streams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a polyol ether of formula (I), comprising a step of reductive alkylation involving a compound of general formula (II) and a compound of general formula (III): in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in claim 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides rhenium-promoted epoxidation catalysts based upon shaped porous bodies comprising a minimized percentage of their total pore volume being present in pores having diameters of less than one micron, and a surface area of at least about 1.0 m2/g. Processes of making the catalysts and using them in epoxidation processes are also provided.

Abstract: A process for treating a carrier, or a precursor thereof, to at least partly remove impurities from the carrier, or the precursor thereof, comprising: contacting the carrier, or the precursor thereof, with a treatment solution comprising a salt in a concentration of at most 0.05 molar, wherein the salt comprises a cation and an anion, and wherein the cation is selected from ammonium, phosphonium, organic cations and combinations thereof, and wherein the anion is selected from organic anions, inorganic carboxylates, oxyanions of elements from Groups IIIA through VIIA of the Periodic Table of Elements, and combinations thereof; and separating at least part of the treatment solution from the carrier, or the precursor thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for converting biomass-derived streams of hydrocarbon diols into products suitable for use as a biomass-derived fuel additive. These methods involve the condensation of diols comprising five or six carbon atoms to form condensation products containing at least ten carbon atoms. The remaining hydroxyl functional groups of the condensation products are optionally modified to decrease overall polarity of the products, and improve miscibility with liquid hydrocarbon mixtures.

Abstract: Unsaturated alcohol compositions are obtained by reducing a metathesis-derived hydrocarbyl unsaturated ester. Also disclosed is a process for preparing an unsaturated alcohol composition, where a metathesis derived hydrocarbyl carbonyl compound is reacted in the presence of a silane compound, an organic solvent, and a catalyst system prepared from a metallic complex and a reducing agent. This mixture is then hydrolyzed with a metallic base, and then mixed with organic solvent. The resultant mixture is then separated, washed, dried, and/or purified to produce the unsaturated alcohol composition. The unsaturated alcohol derivatives are useful in many end-use applications, including, for example, lubricants, functional fluids, fuels, functional additives for such lubricants, functional fluids and fuels, plasticizers, asphalt additives, friction reducing agents, plastics, and adhesives.

Abstract: A process for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising contacting a reactor feed comprising an olefin, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, with a catalyst comprising a carrier and, deposited on the carrier, silver, a rhenium promoter, a first co-promoter, and a second co-promoter; wherein the carbon dioxide is present in the reactor feed in a quantity of at most 3 mole percent based on the total epoxidation reactor feed; the first co-promoter is selected from sulfur, phosphorus, boron, and mixtures thereof; and the second co-promoter is selected from tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, and mixtures thereof; a process for preparing a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether, a 1,2-carbonate, or an alkanolamine.

Abstract: A process for treating a carrier, or a precursor thereof, to at least partly remove impurities comprising contacting the carrier, or the precursor thereof, with a treatment solution comprising a salt; a process for preparing a catalyst; the catalyst; a process for preparing an olefin oxide by reacting an olefin with oxygen in the presence of the catalyst; and a process for preparing a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether or an alkanolamine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing ditrimethylolpropane including reacting n-butyraldehyde with formaldehyde in the presence of a base catalyst to thereby produce trimethylolpropane and ditrimethylolpropane, wherein the method includes (I) a step of reacting n-butyraldehyde with formaldehyde (1) in the presence of a base catalyst (1), to thereby produce a reaction mixture containing trimethylolpropane, ditrimethylolpropane, and 2-ethyl-2-propenal; (II) a step of recovering 2-ethyl-2-propenal through distillation of the produced reaction mixture; and (III) a step of adding, to a distillation residue obtained through recovery of 2-ethyl-2-propenal, the recovered 2-ethyl-2-propenal and formaldehyde (2), and optionally a base catalyst (2), to thereby allow reaction for production of ditrimethylolpropane to proceed, wherein the amounts of formaldehyde (I) and the base catalyst (1) supplied in step I and formaldehyde (2) and the base catalyst (2) supplied in step II are controlled to specific amo

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing ditrimethylolpropane which is characterized by the following (1) and (2): (1) a distillation still residue separated from purified trimethylolpropane is subjected to re-distillation under specific conditions to obtain a ditrimethylolpropane-containing solution having given contents of bis-TMP and tri-TMP; and (2) when subjecting the ditrimethylolpropane-containing solution to crystallization with an organic solvent, the crystallization is initiated under pressure at a temperature exceeding a boiling point of the organic solvent as measured under normal pressures, and the resulting crystallization product solution is cooled at a temperature drop rate of 2° C./min or less. According to the above method, it is possible to produce a high-purity ditrimethylolpropane from a distillation still residue obtained upon production of trimethylolpropane in a simple, industrially useful manner.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for producing glycerol-related products. One process for producing glycerol-related products comprises introducing glycerol and an alkylation reagent to a substantially oxygen free environment. Another process for producing glycerol-related products comprises introducing a glycerol and tetramethylammonium hydroxide to a substantially oxygen free environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining ditrimethylolpropane and trimethylolpropane-enriched product streams from the high-boiling fractions and residues which are obtained in the distillative purification of trimethylolpropane, wherein an aqueous solution of these fractions and residues is catalytically hydrogenated in the presence of an acidic compound and, after removing solids, contacted both with basic and with acidic ion exchangers. A trimethylolpropane-enriched product stream can be distilled out of the aqueous eluate obtained, leaving ditrimethylolpropane as the distillation residue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing color of a polyglycerol. The process includes the steps of treating said polyglycerol with a first bleaching agent such as bleaching earth and treating said treated polyglycerol with a second bleaching agent such as hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Glyceryl ether compounds prepared by the reaction of glycerol and olefin epoxides are disclosed. The compounds are renewable biomass-based surfactants useful as detergents and emulsifiers in formulations for cleaning, laundry, personal care, cosmetics, and industrial uses.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether or an alkanolamine comprising converting an olefin oxide, wherein the olefin oxide has been obtained by a process for the epoxidation of an olefin, said process comprising using a catalyst comprising a carrier and silver deposited thereon, wherein the carrier comprises at least 85 weight percent ?-alumina and has a surface area of at least 1.3 m2/g, a median pore diameter of more than 0.8 ?m, and a pore size distribution wherein at least 80% of the total pore is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m, and at least 80% of the pore volume contained in the pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.3 to 10 ?m.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the epoxidation of an olefin, which process comprises reacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a carrier and silver deposited on the carrier, which carrier comprises at least 85 weight percent ?-alumina and has a surface area of at least 1.3 m2/g, a median pore diameter of more than 0.8 ?m, and a pore size distribution wherein at least 80% of the total pore volume is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m and at least 80% of the pore volume contained in the pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.3 to 10 ?m.

Abstract: A liquid phase hydrogenolysis of acetal compounds such as cyclic acetals and cyclic ketals are fed to a reaction zone and reacted in the presence of a noble metal catalyst supported on a carbon or silica support to make hydroxy ether mono-hydrocarbons in high selectivity, without the necessity to use acidic co-catalysts such as phosphorus containing acids or stabilizers such as hydroquinone.

Abstract: A catalyst for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising a carrier and, deposited thereon, silver, a rhenium promoter, a first co-promoter, and a second co-promoter; wherein the quantity of the rhenium promoter deposited on the carrier is greater than 1 mmole/kg, relative to the weight of the catalyst; the first co-promoter is selected from sulfur, phosphorus, boron, and mixtures thereof; the second co-promoter is selected from tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, and mixtures thereof; the total quantity of the first co-promoter and the second co-promoter deposited on the carrier is at most 5.0 mmole/kg, relative to the weight of the catalyst; and wherein the carrier has a monomodal, bimodal or multimodal pore size distribution, a pore diameter of 0.01-200 ?m, a specific surface area of 0.03-10 m2/g, a pore volume of 0.2-0.7 cm3/g, wherein the median pore diameter is 0.1-100 ?m, and a water absorption of 10-80%.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for producing glycerol-related products. One process for producing glycerol-related products comprises introducing glycerol and an alkylation reagent to a substantially oxygen free environment. Another process for producing glycerol-related products comprises introducing a glycerol and tetramethylammonium hydroxide to a substantially oxygen free environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the selectivity of an EO process utilizing a highly selective EO catalyst. In particular, the present invention is an improvement in the initial operation of a process for manufacturing ethylene oxide by contacting ethylene, oxygen, a chloride moderator and a hydrocarbon co-moderator with a high selectivity silver-containing catalyst at a concentration of carbon dioxide of less than about 2 mole percent, wherein the initial operating temperature is determined by optimization of such initial operating temperature at a level higher than the normal low initial operating temperature that is typically selected to obtain a longer operating cycle.

Abstract: Methods of making reduced derivatives of hydroxymethyl furfural using metal catalysts are described. The derivatives may have tetrahydrofuran or furan nucleus with alkoxymethyl ether or ester moieties on the 5? carbon and methanol on the 2? carbon. Suitable metal catalyst include Raney nickel, a nickel catalyst with a zirconium promoter, a chromite catalyst with a barium, a palladium catalyst, such as palladium on carbon, or a ruthenium catalyst. Also provided are a new class of compounds, which are n-alkoxy hexane diols (i.e., 1,2 or 1,5 hexane diol ethers) and methods of making the same by reduction of furan or tetrahydrofuran deivatives.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare an ethanol-derivate compound or compounds by reacting ethanol in the presence of molecular oxygen and a catalyst comprising a gamma-alumina carrier, metal nano-particles wherein the metal is selected from silver, copper or gold. The invention is also directed to processes to prepare such a catalyst.

Abstract: A polyglycerol monoether is represented by FOLLOWING General Formula (1): RO—(C3H6O2)n—H??(1) wherein R represents an alcohol residue having one to thirty carbon atoms; and “n” is an average number of moles of added glycerol units and represents a number of 2 or more, and has a content (peak area percentage) of monoether components of 75% or more and a content (peak area percentage) of diether components of 5% or less, as determined by reversed-phase partition high-performance liquid chromatography using a 80:20 (by volume) mixture of methanol and water as an eluent. The polyglycerol monoether may be prepared by adding a basic substance to an alcohol to yield an alkoxide, adding glycidol to the alkoxide, and subjecting them to a reaction at 0° C. to 100° C.

Abstract: Polyalkylene ether glycol or copolymer thereof are prepared by contacting at least one alkanediol with a alkanediol containing cyclic sulfate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include processes and systems for recovering alkylene oxide. System embodiments include a stripping section located in an alkylene oxide recovery column to convert a feed stream comprising to a first gas phase portion comprising alkylene oxide, a condensing zone comprising at least a first condenser and a second condenser configured in series, and a reabsorption region located in the alkylene oxide recovery column above the last of the at least two condensers.

Abstract: Glyceryl ether compounds prepared by the reaction of glycerol and olefin epoxides are disclosed. The compounds are renewable biomass-based surfactants useful as detergents and emulsifiers in formulations for cleaning, laundry, personal care, cosmetics, and industrial uses.

Abstract: A catalyst which comprises a carrier and silver deposited on the carrier, which carrier has a surface area of at least 1.3 m2/g, a median pore diameter of more than 0.8 ?m, and a pore size distribution wherein at least 80% of the total pore volume is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m and at least 80% of the pore volume contained in the pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pharmaceutical preparation which improves penetration of active substances through the tissue membrane or barrier of the target organ.