Abstract: A process for the catalytic isomerization of secondary .alpha.-alkenols of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl group or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.2 alkenyl group and in which R.sup.2 stands for hydrogen, a halogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkoxy group, a carbonyl group, or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl group and in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 can be joined together to complete a five-membered or six-membered carbocyclic ring, to primary .alpha.-alkenols of formula II ##STR2## or for the isomerization of primary .alpha.-alkenols of formula II to secondary .alpha.-alkenols of formula I, wherein the isomerization is carried out in the presence of organotrioxorhenium(VII) compounds of formula III ##STR3## in which R.sup.3 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group, a cyclopentadienyl group substituted by from one to five C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups, an unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl group, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl group, or a C.sub.7 -C.sub.

Abstract: Process for preparing a pentane-1,5-diamine of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 represents a variety of organic radicals including alkyl which can bear substituents such as hydroxyl, halogen, alkoxy, carbalkoxy, carboxyl, alkylamino, cycloalkyl or aryl, andR.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently of one another, represent hydrogen or have the same meanings as R.sup.1 or together are a C.sub.4 -C.sub.7 -alkylene chain which is unsubstituted or substituted by one to five C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl groups,which comprises:(a) reacting a .gamma.-cyanoketone of the formula ##STR2## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 have the meanings given above, with excess ammonia in a first reaction space on an acidic heterogeneous catalyst at 20.degree.-150.degree. C. and 15-500 bar, and(b) hydrogenating the resulting reaction product in a second separate reaction space in the presence of excess ammonia on a cobalt, nickel or noble metal catalyst at 50.degree.-180.degree. C. and 30-500 bar.

Abstract: Preparation of vinyl glycols (I) ##STR1## (R.sup.1 to R.sup.6 =H, a carbo-organic radical, optionally substituted) in which an unsaturated diol of formula II ##STR2## is isomerized in the presence of a rhenium catalyst under neutral conditions. The compounds (I) serve as intermediates for the preparation of active substances and for the preparation of polymers.

Abstract: 3-Aminopropionitriles of the general formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1,R.sup.2,R.sup.3,R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 independently of one another are each hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -aminoalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -cyanoalkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 -cycloalkyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.20 -aralkyl or aryl,are prepared by a process in which an amine of the general formula II ##STR2## is reacted with an acrylonitrile of the general formula III ##STR3## where the substituents have the abovementioned meanings, in a molar ratio of from 0.9:1 to 100:1 over a heterogeneous catalyst at from 40.degree. to 200.degree. C. and from 1 to 350 bar.

Abstract: N-Hydroxyazoles of the general formula I ##STR1## where A is ##STR2## and R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl or halogen, are prepared by a process in which an azole of the general formula II ##STR3## where A, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 have the abovementioned meanings, is reacted with hydrogen peroxide or an alkyl peroxide in the presence of a zeolite catalyst at from -20.degree. to 150.degree. C. and from 0.1 to 150 bar.

Abstract: Aluminophosphates and silicoaluminophosphates having the AEL structure are prepared under hydrothermal crystallization conditions by a process in which 1,2-bis-( 4-pyridyl)-ethane is used for the crystallization.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of tetrahydrofuran or tetrahydrofuran and .gamma.-butyrolactone from the product of the hydrogenation of maleic acid, succinic acid, maleic anhydride, succinic anhydride and/or fumaric acid, by treating the crude hydrogenation product, without prior work-up, at from 100.degree. to 300.degree. C. with a protic acid, and isolating pure tetrahydrofuran and .gamma.-butyrolactone from the resultant reaction mixture by distillation.

Abstract: A process for preparing 3-(hydroxyphenyl)propionaldehydes of the formula I ##STR1## and, where appropriate, for preparing 3-(hydroxyphenyl)propanols of the formula II ##STR2## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 -cycloalkyl, C.sub.4 -C.sub.20 -alkylcycloalkyl, C.sub.4 -C.sub.20 -cycloalkylalkyl or C.sub.5 -C.sub.20 -alkylcycloalkylalkyl,R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each aryl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.20 -aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 -heterocycloalkylalkyl, entailsa) reacting phenols of the formula III ##STR3## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the abovementioned meanings, with 3-hydroxypropionaldehydes of the formula IV ##STR4## where R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 have the abovementioned meanings, in the presence of a basic catalyst at from 90.degree. to 230.degree. C. and under from 0.01 to 50 bar and, where appropriate,b) treating the resulting 3-(hydroxyphenyl)propionaldehydes of the formula I ##STR5## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: Arycolaldehyde, glyceraldehyde, C.sub.4 - and C.sub.5 -sugars or mixtures thereof are prepared in a self-condensation of formaldehyde by reacting formaldehyde or a formaldehyde donor in the presence of a mesoionic catalyst of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is nitrogen or CR.sup.3, Y is sulfur or selenium or NR.sup.4, and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 can be identical or different and each can represent an aliphatic, aryl, aralkyl or heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or which bears substituents which have only a negligible effect on the catalytic activity of said mesoionic catalyst, with the proviso that R.sup.2 together with R.sup.4 can form a C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 -alkylene or alkenylene bridge or a C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 -arylene bridge, and wherein R.sup.5 is hydrogen, the hydroxymethyl group -CH.sub.2 OH or the hydroxymethylhydroxymethyl group --CH(OH)(CH.sub.2 OH).

Abstract: A process for the preparation of phthalides of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently of one another, are hydrogen, C.sub.1 - to C.sub.4 -alkyl or C.sub.1 - to C.sub.4 -alkoxy, by reacting phthalic anhydrides of the formula II ##STR2## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are as defined as above, on hydrogenation catalysts at from 50.degree. to 400.degree. C. and at from 1 to 400 bar, wherein the hydrogenation catalysts employed are essentially free from Lewis acids.

Abstract: Amines of the general formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 -cycloalkyl, C.sub.4 -C.sub.20 -alkylcycloalkyl, C.sub.4 -C.sub.20 -cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.20 -alkylaryl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.20 -aralkyl or a heterocyclic radical and n is an integer of from 3 to 7, are prepared by a process in which a ketone of the general formula II ##STR2## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the abovementioned meanings, is reacted with a cyclic amine of the general formula III ##STR3## where n has the abovementioned meanings, in the presence of a zeolite and/or SiO.sub.2 having a zeolite structure and/or a phosphate and/or a phosphate having a zeolite structure as catalysts at from 50.degree. to 500.degree. C. and from 0.01 to 50 bar.

Abstract: Preparation of .alpha.,.omega.-aminoalcohols of the general formula IHO--CH.sub.2 --X--CH.sub.2 --NH.sub.2 (I),in which x denotes a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkylene chain optionally substituted by inert radicals and/or optionally interrupted by oxygen or nitrogen,by the reaction of .alpha.,.omega.-alkanediols of the general formula IIHO--CH.sub.2 --X--CH.sub.2 --OH (II),in which the connecting member x has the meanings stated above, with ammonia and a catalyst at a temperature ranging from 150.degree. to 300.degree. C. and under a pressure of from 50 to 300 bar, wherein the catalyst used is one whose catalytically active material consists of iron to an extent of from 5 to 100% w/w.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 5-hydroxyethylpyrrolidone of the general formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 - to C.sub.12 -alkyl, C.sub.3 - to C.sub.8 -cycloalkyl, aryl or C.sub.7 - to C.sub.12 -aralkyl, by reactinga) a caprolactone of the general formula II ##STR2## or b) a butyrolactone of the general formula III ##STR3## where R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 -alkyl, ##STR4## R.sup.3 has the meaning of R.sup.2 and is additionally hydrogen and R.sup.4 is C.sub.1 - to C.sub.8 -alkyl or phenyl,with ammonia or a primary amine of the general formula IVR.sup.1 --NH.sub.2 (IV)where R.sup.1 has the abovementioned meanings, at from 150.degree. to 450.degree. C. and at from 10 to 350 bar, and the preparation of the caprolactones II and the butyrolactones III from the cyclohexanones V.

Abstract: A process for preparing an .alpha.-hydroxymethyl acetal by the electrochemical oxidation of a carbonyl compound, e.g. an aliphatic or aromatic aldehyde or ketone, with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkanol under non-alkaline conditions and in the presence of an auxiliary electrolyte containing from 0 to 5% and preferably 0.5 to 3% by weight of water.

Abstract: Polytetrahydrofuran derivatives of the general formula ##STR1## where n is from 2 to 70, X is the bridge member --NH-- or --O-- and R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are each hydrogen or various radicals.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of a 4-halobenzyl alcohol of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 - to C.sub.20 -alkyl, C.sub.2 - to C.sub.20 -alkoxyalkyl, C.sub.3 - to C.sub.20 -cycloalkyl, or C.sub.4 - to C.sub.30 -cycloalkylalkyl,R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 - to C.sub.20 -alkyl, C.sub.2 - to C.sub.20 -alkoxyalkyl, C.sub.3 - to C.sub.20 -cycloalkyl or C.sub.4 - to C.sub.30 -cycloalkylalkyl,X is halogen andm is 0 to 2,by reacting a haloaromatic carbonyl compound of the formula ##STR2## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, X and m are as defined above, with hydrogen on a hydrogenation catalyst consisting essentially of copper oxide (I), copper oxide (II) and mixtures thereof in the presence of at least one primary, secondary or tertiary amine selected from the group consisting of acyclic, cyclic and heterocyclic aliphatic amines, in the presence or absence of an inert solvent, at from 50.degree. to 130.degree. C. and at from 10 to 200 bar.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a 1,4-alkylenediamine of the general formula I ##STR1## in which the substituents R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkyl, phenyl or benzyl, by reacting a succinic dinitrile of the general formula II ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the meanings stated, with hydrogen at a temperature of from 30.degree. to 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from 50 to 350 bar in contact with a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst used contains cobalt oxide and one or more oxides of the elements iron, nickel, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and phosphorus and one or more oxides of elements in the alkali metal group, alkaline earth metal group, and rare earth group of the Periodic Table, and of scandium, and/or of yttrium.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a 2-(3-aminopropyl)-cycloalkylamine of the general formula I ##STR1## in which the subscript n is an integer from 1 to 4, from a 2-(2-cyanoethyl)-cycloalkanone of the general formula II ##STR2## in which the subscript n has the meaning stated, wherein the following stages are carried out in discrete reaction chambers:a) the 2-(2-cyanoethyl)-cycloalkanone of formula II is reacted in a first reaction chamber with excess ammonia over an acidic heterogeneous catalyst at a temperature from 20.degree. to 150.degree. C. and a pressure of from 15 to 500 bar, andb) in a second reaction chamber, the reaction product from stage a) is hydrogenated at a temperature of from 60.degree. to 150.degree. C. and a pressure of from 50 to 300 bar in the presence of excess ammonia over a catalyst containing cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, and/or some other noble metal, which catalyst optionally contains a basic component or is supported on neutral or basic supporting material.

Abstract: Haloalcohols of the general formula IHal--X--OH (I)where X is straight-chain or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkylene of 4 or more carbon atoms in the chain, which may be interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, and Hal is halogen, are prepared by reacting a diol of the general formula IIHO--X--OH (II)where X has the above meanings, with an aqueous hydrogen halide solution in a water-immiscible organic solvent which is inert under the reaction conditions, at from 50.degree. to 150.degree. C., using an excess of hydrogen halide, based on the diol of the general formula II, of from 10 to 200 mole percent and setting a volume ratio of inorganic phase: organic phase of from 1:2 to 1:50.

Abstract: A process for breaking down aromatic nitro compounds in waste waters from plants for the production of nitrobenzene by treatment with nitric acid is carried out at from 180.degree. to 350.degree. C. and under a pressure of from 40 to 250 bar.