Abstract: The present invention provides a process for distillatively purifying crude aqueous 1,4-butanediol (1), in which 1,4-butanediol (5) freed of components having lower boiling points than 1,4-butanediol and water is passed through three distillation columns (III, IV, V), components having a higher boiling point than 1,4-butanediol are drawn off from the bottom of the first column and conducted into the third (7), 1,4-butanediol from the top of the first column (6) is conducted into the second, the bottom product of the second column (9) is conducted into the third, the top product of the third column (11) is recycled at least partly into the first column, wherein the very pure 1,4-butanediol is withdrawn from a side draw of the second column.

Abstract: The present invention concerns double stranded RNA compositions and transgenic plants capable of inhibiting expression of genes essential to establishing or maintaining nematode infestation in a plant, and methods associated therewith. Specifically, the invention relates to the use of RNA interference to inhibit expression of a target plant gene, which is an MTHFR-like gene, and relates to the generation of plants that have increased resistance to parasitic nematodes.

Abstract: A novel polynary vanadyl pyrophosphate of the general formula I (VO)a(M1-bVb)2(P2O7)c is described, in which M is one or more metals selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Cu, Zn, B, Al, Ga and In, a is from 0.5 to 1.5, b is from 0 to 0.9, c is from 1.5 to 2.5, having a crystal structure whose powder X-ray diffractogram is characterized by defined reflections. A preferred representative is (VO)Fe2(P2O7)2. The vanadyl pyrophosphates are suitable as gas phase oxidation catalysts, for example for preparing maleic anhydride from a hydrocarbon having at least four carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for preparing water-absorbing polymer particles by spraying a liquid below the product bed surface by means of at least one spray nozzle in a mixer with moving mixing tools.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new hyperbranched polyesters based on oligohydroxycarboxylic acids with defined functionality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the industrial preparation of a diamine starting from a corresponding alkenyl nitrile comprising at least one C—C double bond, which comprises the steps (a) reaction of the alkenyl nitrile with a corresponding monoamine in a first reactor so that the monoamine adds exothermically onto the at least one double bond to form an aminoalkyl nitrile, with the monoamine and water being charged initially and the alkenyl nitrile being fed in; (b) evaporation of unreacted alkenyl nitrile and monoamine to increase the concentration of the aminoalkyl nitrile product in the bottoms of the first reactor; (c) transfer of the aminoalkyl nitrile bottom product from step (b) to a second reactor; (d) batchwise catalytic hydrogenation of the aminoalkyl nitrile transferred in step (c) to the diamine in the second reactor, with each batch being obtained by initially charging a catalyst suitable for the hydrogenation of nitriles to amines and also water, the desired diamine and a bas

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crystalline modification of fipronil, to a process for the preparation of the same, to pesticidal and parasiticidal mixtures and compositions comprising said crystalline modification and to their use for combating pests and parasites.

Abstract: A novel polynary metal oxide phosphate of the general formula I MaV4-aOb(PO4)c is described, in which M is one or more metals selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Cu, Zn, B, Al, Ga and In, a is from 0 to 2.0, b is from 2.0 to 4.0, c is from 2.0 to 4.0, having a crystal structure whose powder X-ray diffractogram is characterized by defined reflections. Preferred representatives are V4O3(PO4)3, CrV3O3(PO4)3, FeV3O3(PO4)3 and TiV3O3(PO4)3. The metal oxide phosphates are suitable as gas phase oxidation catalysts, for example for preparing maleic anhydride from a hydrocarbon having at least four carbon atoms.

Abstract: The preparation of epoxy resin compositions which comprise glycidyl ethers comprising cyclohexyl groups and have a low oligomer content is carried out by distillation of compositions which are obtainable by ring hydrogenation of compounds of the general formula (I) where -X- is —CR2—, —CO—, —O, —S—, —SO2—, the radicals R are each, independently of one another, H, C1-6-alkyl, C3-6-cycloalkyl, in which one or more H atoms can be replaced by halogen, the radicals R? are each, independently of one another, C1-4-alkyl, halogen, the indices n are each, independently of one another, 0, 1, 2 or 3, and subsequent reaction of the hydroxyl groups with epichlorohydrin, in thin film evaporators or short path evaporators at a temperature in the range from 150 to 270° C. and a pressure in the range from 0.001 to 1 mbar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing ?-ketonitriles of the general formula I in which R1 is, inter alia, C1-C12-alkyl, C2-C12-alkenyl, C2-C12-alkinyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenoxy-C1-C4-alkyl or benzyloxy-C1-C4-alkyl; R2 is, inter alia, hydrogen, C1-C12-alkyl, C2-C12-alkenyl, C2-C12-alkinyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenoxy-C1-C4-alkyl or benzyloxy-C1-C4-alkyl, which comprises reacting a nitrile of the formula II in which R1 has one of the meanings given above with a carboxylic ester of the formula III in which R2 has one of the meanings given above and R3 is C1-C12-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy-C1-C4-alkyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenoxy-C1-C4-alkyl or benzyloxy-C1-C4-alkyl, where the reaction is carried out in the presence of a potassium alkoxide and at least 80% of the nitrile of the formula II are added to the reaction under reaction

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyol mixture which comprises as components a1) at least one fat-based polyol, a2) at least one polyetherol having a number average molecular weight of from 500 to 2000 g/mol and a3) if appropriate one or more crosslinkers having a number average molecular weight of from 90 to 400 g/mol, where x) the number average molecular weight of component a1) differs by not more than 400 g/mol from the number average molecular weight of component a2) and xi) components a1) and a2) do not differ from one another in OH functionality by more than 0.5. These polyol mixtures can be employed to produce polyurethane-based embedding compositions. The invention additionally relates to embedding compositions based on the polyol mixtures (A) described at the outset and at least one modified isocyanate (B) and to the use of the embedding compositions as potting material. The invention further relates to a process for producing the embedding compositions as described at the outset.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing diphenylmethanediamine, comprising the steps of a) reacting aniline with formaldehyde in the presence of an acid, b) neutralizing the acid with ammonia, c) separating the reaction mixture from step b) into an aqueous phase and an organic phase, d) treating the aqueous phase obtained in step c) with an oxide or hydroxide of an alkaline earth metal, e) separating off the ammonia obtained in step d).

Abstract: The shelf life of fresh harvest produce is extended by coating the exterior surface of freshly harvested produce with a coating composition comprising an aqueous emulsion of polyvinylidene chloride copolymers containing from about 0.25 to 25% by weight of copolymer solids to water and between 0.001 and 20% plasticizer preferably a polyethylene oxide based additive such as Triton-X to weight of copolymer solids in the emulsion. The coating may also contain biocides as well to control bacteria and fungal growth on the post harvest produce during storage, shipping, distribution, and sale of the product. The coating composition is effective in extending the shelf life of produce.

Abstract: A process for preparing aqueous solutions of homo- or copolymers of acrylic acid with a mean molar mass Mn of from 500 g/mol to 10 000 g/mol by means of controlled free-radical polymerization in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition containing (A) at least one specific carbamate fungicide, (B) at least one specific insecticide and optionally (C) at least one azole, the use of this composition for improving plant health and a method for improving plant health by treating a plant, its propagules or the locus where the plant is growing or is to grow with the above composition.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising: (a) a support material comprising a component selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum silicate, magnesium silicate, titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, thorium dioxide, silicon carbide, and mixtures thereof; and (b) an active material comprising a mixture of vanadium (V) and antimony (Sb) and tungsten (W) and/or molybdenum (Mo), and optionally, at least one alkali metal, wherein the vanadium, antimony, tungsten and/or molybdenum and at least one alkali metal are each present in oxidic form; wherein the support material is provided in a form selected from the group of shapes consisting of spherical or approximately spherical and having a diameter of 2 to 10 mm, tubular or rod-shaped and having a diameter of 1 to 10 mm and a length of 2 to 20 mm, granular having a maximum diameter of 2 to 20 mm, and combinations thereof; and wherein the catalyst is diluted with an inert material; along with processes for preparing such catalysts and their use in pre

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel metal-promoted zeolite catalyst, a method of producing the catalyst and a method of using the catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with improved hydrothermal durability. The novel metal-promoted zeolite is formed from a low sodium zeolite and is hydrothermally treated after metal ion-exchange.

Abstract: A coated metal substrate useful for carrying an exhaust emission treatment catalyst such as a three-way conversion catalyst for use with small engine platforms. The coated metal substrate comprises a metal such as a stainless steel, a carbon steel, a FeCr alloy, HASTELLOY® and the like. The coating on the metal substrate comprises an alumina silicate having alumina particles impregnated therein. The coating is applied using a liquid dispersion containing an aluminum silicate and the alumina particles are dispersed into the aluminum silicate coating while the coating is still wet. The coated metal substrate is then calcined. Thereafter, a washcoat containing an engine exhaust treatment catalyst may be applied to the surface of the coated metal substrate.

Abstract: An aqueous latex coating composition and method of making an aqueous latex coating composition that comprises at least one oligomeric ethylene glycol derivative having the structure RO—(CH2—CH2—O—)n—H, at least one latex polymer, and water, wherein R is H or Cl-C4 alkyl and preferably H, and n is from 3 to 9, preferably from 3 to 8, and more preferably from 3 to 6. The oligomeric ethylene glycol derivative functions as both a coalescing solvent and freeze-thaw stabilizer without contributing to the VOC content of the composition.

Abstract: New enzymes having esterase activity and their use for processes for kinetic resolution of butinolesters.