Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a diol mixture comprising 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol and 1,6-hexanediol, which comprises: (A) providing a dicarboxylic acid mixture comprising succinic acid, glutaric acid and adipic acid and having a nitric acid content of 3% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the succinic, glutaric and adipic acids, wherein the dicarboxylic acid mixture is prepared by denitrating an aqueous by-product solution obtained in an adipic acid production process, and (B) subjecting the dicarboxylic acid mixture to hydrogenation in the presence of water, hydrogen gas and a hydrogenation catalyst containing an active metal species comprising ruthenium and tin, to thereby obtain a hydrogenation reaction mixture comprising a diol mixture comprising 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol and 1,6-hexanediol.

Abstract: In the synthesis of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane (R-365mfc), a mixture of R-365mfc and the impurity 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoro-2-butene (R-1354mzy) is purified and R-1354mzy is removed from the mixture by contacting the mixture with 1-5 mols of chlorine for each mol of R-1354mzy in the presence of ultraviolet light having a wavelength between about 300 to 400 nm which provides at least 0.02 watts-hour/kg of the mixture. The R-1354mzy is reduced to below 10 wt. ppm as it is converted to 2,3-dichloro-1,1,1,3-tetrafluorobutane (R-354) or other butane containing more chlorine and having a higher boiling point than R-365mfc. The butane(s) may be separated more easily from R-365mfc. The photochlorination is effected in a manner such that at least about 96 weight percent of the starting amount of R-365mfc is maintained in the mixture.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a highly linear alcohol composition is provided comprising the steps of: (a) reacting carbon monoxide with hydrogen under Fischer-Tropsch reaction conditions in the presence of a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst comprising cobalt; (b) separating from the product of step (a) at least one hydrocarbon fraction comprising between 10 and 50% by weight of olefins containing 6 or more carbon atoms; (c) contacting one or more of the hydrocarbon fractions obtained in step (b) with carbon monoxide and hydrogen under hydroformylation conditions in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst based on a source of cobalt and one or more alkyl phosphines; and (d) recovering the alcohol composition.

Abstract: A process for preparing C9-alcohols comprises a) providing a C4-hydrocarbon stream comprising butene and butane; b) subjecting the C4-hydrocarbon stream to oligomerization over an olefin oligomerization catalyst and fractionating the resulting reaction mixture to give an octene-containing stream and a butene-depleted C4-hydrocarbon stream; c) subjecting the butene-depleted C4-hydrocarbon stream to steam reforming or partial oxidation to give carbon monoxide and hydrogen; d) hydroformylating the octene-containing stream by means of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst to form C9-aldehydes, where the carbon monoxide used and/or the hydrogen used originate at least in part from step c); and e) catalytically hydrogenating the C9-aldehydes by means of hydrogen.

Abstract: Alkenes are prepared by partial hydrogenation of alkynes in the liquid phase at from 20 to 250° C. and hydrogen partial pressures of from 0.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ether-capped poly(oxyalkylated)alcohol surfactant is provided.