Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the separation of vinyl acetate from a gas mixture formed by the reaction of ethylene with acetic acid and oxygen in the gas phase over catalysts comprising palladium or palladium compounds.

Abstract: 3(4),7(8)-bis(aminomethyl)bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane and a process for its preparation, wherein bicyclo[4.3.0]nona-3,7-diene is reacted with synthesis gas in a homogeneous organic phase in the presence of transition metal compounds of Group VIII of the Periodic Table containing complex-bound organophosphorus compounds, and excess organophosphorus compound, at temperatures of 70 to 160° C. and pressures of 5 to 35 MPa, and the 3(4),7(8)-bisformylbicyclo[4.3.0]nonane thus obtained is reductively aminated.

Abstract: A single-stage method for the oxidation of ethylene to acetaldehyde in the presence of an aqueous catalyst solution comprising copper chloride and palladium chloride under maintenance of the circulation of the aqueous catalyst solution in a recycle reactor, comprised of a reactor and a mist trap and which includes an externally applied thermal insulation.

Abstract: A process for isolating vinyl acetate from the gas mixture formed in the reaction of ethylene with acetic acid and oxygen in the gas phase over catalysts comprising palladium or palladium compounds, with recirculation of the acetic-acid solution obtained in the circulating gas scrubber to the first distillation column (predewatering column).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of saturating ethylene-containing gases with acetic acid before they are fed into a vinyl acetate reactor, in which the acetic acid recovered in the vinyl acetate process is introduced into a column having a countercurrent stripping section and a rectification section and ethylene-containing gas is supplied via the bottom, wherein the liquid taken off at the bottom of the column is divided into two substreams and one substream is pumped back into the column with maintenance of a minimum pumped circulation required for sufficient saturation with acetic acid.

Abstract: A carboxylic ester of the formula in which A is —(CH2)x— where x=1–10, a process for its preparation which esters are useful lubricated and plasticizers for high molecular polymeric thermoplastics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing aliphatic straight-chain and ?-alkyl-branched carboxylic acids by catalytic oxidation of aldehydes by means of oxygen or oxygen-containing gas mixtures. Alkali metal carboxylates or alkaline earth metal carboxylates or a mixture thereof in an amount, calculated as alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, of from 1 mmol each to from 10 mmol each per mole of aldehyde used and also metals or compounds of metals of groups 5 to 11 of the Periodic Table of the Elements in amounts of not more than 5 ppm, based on aldehyde used, are present as catalyst.

Abstract: A process for selectively hydroformylating dicyclopentadiene to 8(9)-formyltricyclo-[5.2.1.02,6]dec-3-ene in a heterogeneous reaction system using an aqueous solution of transition metal compounds, containing water-soluble organic phosphorus(III) compounds in complex-bound form, of group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, wherein the water-soluble organic phosphorus(III) compounds are alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts of sulfonated arylphosphines and aryldiphosphines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the coupled production of two esters by reacting a mixture of aliphatic alcohols with an aliphatic carboxylic acid and then treating the resulting mixture by distillation. During the distillation process, a side flow that is taken from the distillation column that is connected downstream of the esterification reactor is fed back into said esterification reactor. The pure ester compounds are obtained from the bottom of the distillation columns that are connected downstream of the esterification reactor.

Abstract: A process for preparing sulfonated arylphosphines by reaction of arylphosphines with oleum, wherein, after reaction of the arylphosphines with oleum, the sulfonation mixture is firstly diluted with water, an inert gas stream is then passed through the diluted sulfonation mixture until SO2 is no longer liberated from the diluted sulfonation mixture and the latter is then worked up further in a customary manner and its use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydroformylation method, whereby the homogeneous liquid reactor discharge is first supplied to a gas/liquid separator and then run through an extraction column with a counter-current of synthesis gas and finally fed to an evaporator. The invention is characterised in that the homogeneous liquid mass flow is supplied to the upper section of the extraction column at a temperature above 90° C.

Abstract: A process for purifying alicyclic alcohols by distillation, wherein the alicyclic alcohols are distilled in the presence of from 1 to 550 ppm of acidic compounds.

Abstract: A process for preparing 3(4),8(9)-bisformyltricyclo[5.2.1.02.6]decane by hydroformylating dicyclopentadiene with subsequent distillation wherein the hydroformylation of dicyclopentadiene is carried out in two stages, and, in the first hydroformylation stage, the reaction is effected in a heterogeneous reaction system using an aqueous solution of transition metal compounds, containing water-soluble organic phosphorus (III) compounds in complex-bound form, of group VIII of the Period Table of the Elements to give 8(9)-bisformyltricyclo[5.2.1.02.6]dec-3-ene, and, in a second hydroformylation stage, the thus obtained 8(9)-bisformyltricyclo[5.2.1.02.6]dec-3-ene is converted, in homogeneous organic phase in the presence of transition metal compounds of group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements to 3(4),8(9)-bisformyltricyclo[5.2.1.02.6]decane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydroformylation method by conversion of olefins or olefinically unsaturated compounds in the presence of at least one rhodium compound and in the presence of sulfonated arylphosphines in ionic liquids, which are based on a quaternary singly-charged ammonium ion or the equivalent of a multiply charged ammonium ion and organic sulfonates or sulfates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a catalyst containing one or several metals from the group of metals comprising the sub-groups Ib and VIIIb of the periodic table on porous support particles, characterized by a first step in which one or several precursors from the group of compounds of metals from sub-groups Ib and VIIIb of the periodic table is or are applied to a porous support, and a second step in which the porous, preferably nanoporous support to which at least one precursor has been applied is treated with at least one reduction agent, to obtain the metal nanoparticles produced in situ in the pores of said support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing N-methyldialkyl-amines by reacting secondary dialkylamines with formaldehyde at a temperature of from 100 to 200° C., by using from 1.5 to 3 mol of formaldehyde per mole of secondary dialkylamine and degassing the resulting reaction product, removing the aqueous phase and distilling the organic phase.

Abstract: A process for preparing 3(4),8(9)-dihydroxymethyltricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane by hydroformylating dicyclopentadiene with subsequent distillation wherein the hydroformylation of dicyclopentadiene is carried out in two stages, and, in a first hydroformylation stage, the reaction is effected in a heterogeneous reaction system using an aqueous solution of transition metal compounds, containing water-soluble organic phosphorus (III) compounds in complex-bound form, of group VIII of the Periodic Table to give 8(9)-formyltricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec-3-ene, and, in a second hydroformylation stage, the thus obtained 8(9)-formyltricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec-3-ene is converted, in homogeneous organic phase in the presence of transition metal compounds of group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements to 3(4),8(9)-bisformyltricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydroformylation method, whereby the homogeneous liquid reactor discharge is first supplied to a gas/liquid separator and then run through an extraction column with a counter-current of synthesis gas and finally fed to an evaporator. The invention is characterised in that the homogeneous liquid mass flow is supplied to the upper section of the extraction column at a temperature above 90° C.

Abstract: A process for preparing solutions of sulfonated arylphosphines comprising reacting arylphosphines with oleum, diluting the sulfonation mixture with water, extracting the diluted sulfonation mixture with a solution of a water-insoluble organic solvent, reacting the organic phase with a solution of an inorganic base in water, adjusting the resulting aqueous solutin of sulfonated arylphosphines to a pH of up to 3 by addition of an acid, and passing an inert gas stream through the aqueous solution comprising sulfonated arylphosphines until sulfur is no longer liberated from the aqueous solution of sulfonated arylphosphines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the selective preparation of acetic acid from a gaseous feed comprising ethane, ethylene or mixtures thereof plus oxygen at elevated temperature, which comprises bringing the gaseous feed into contact with a catalyst comprising the elements Mo, Pd, X and Y in gram atom ratios a:b:c:d in combination with oxygen MoaPdbXcYd??(I) where the symbols X and Y have the following meanings: X is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of: Cr, Mn, Nb, Ta, Ti, V, Te and/or W, in particular Nb, V and W; Y is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of: B, Al, Ga, In, Pt, Zn, Cd, Bi, Ce, Co, Cu, Rh, Ir, Au, Ag, Fe, Ru, Os, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zr, Hf, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Si, Sn, TI and U, in particular Ca, Sb, Te and Li. The present invention further provides a catalyst for the selective preparation of acetic acid comprising the elements Mo, Pd, X and Y in the gram atom ratios a:b:c:d in combination with oxygen.