Abstract: Disclosed is a process comprising contacting chemical 1,3-propanediol with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. Preferably, the chemical 1,3-propanediol, before the contacting has an initial color and, after the contacting, has a color that is lower than the initial color.

Abstract: Alcohols, ethers, and olefins are manufactured from alkanes by mixing an alkane and bromine in a reactor to form alkyl bromide and hydrogen bromide. The alkyl bromide only or the alkyl bromide and the hydrogen bromide are directed into contact with metal oxide to form an alcohol and/or an ether, or an olefin and metal bromide. The metal bromide is oxidized to form original metal oxide and bromine, both of which are recycled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of trion-bis(oxime ether) derivatives of formula (I), wherein the substituents have the following meaning: R1, R3 represent unsubstituted, partially or totally halogenated C1-C6-alkyl or C3-C6-cycloalkyl; R2, R4 represent C1-C4-alkyl or a methyl substituted by C2-C4-alkenyl, C2-C4-alkinyl or phenyl and X represents oxygen or N—OH. The invention also relates to the intermediate products obtained with said method.

Abstract: An alkaline earth metal salt of &bgr;-diketo compound is produced using 1 mol of a powdery alkaline earth metal compound and 2.04 mol or more of an aliphatic &bgr;-diketo compound. The reaction may be carried out while supplying both components to a reactor continuously or intermittently, or may be carried out by adding one component to the other continuously or intermittently. The highest temperature during the reaction may be at 50° C. or higher. The reaction mixture may be aged, and then dried at a temperature of at 100 to 180° C. in an atmosphere of an inert gas. The alkaline earth metal compound may be calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, or barium hydroxide. The aliphatic &bgr;-diketo compound may be represented by the following formula, particularly an acetoacetic acid ester or acetylacetone. According to the production method as mentioned above, highly stable alkaline earth metal salts of &bgr;-diketo compounds of high quality can be produced.

Abstract: Double-metal cyanide catalysts of the formula M1a[M2(CN)b(A)c]d. fM1gXn. h (H2O).

Abstract: There is provided a compound of the formula[I]: wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a protective group for a hydroxyl group; and A represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a group of the formula A1: Q represents Q3: when A represents a halogen atom or a protective group for a hydroyl group, A represents Q4:  wherein R1 and R2 represent a hydrogen atom or a protective group for a hydroxyl group; and when A represents a hydrogen atom, Q is Q2:

Abstract: A method of producing a highly pure trimethylolpropane from a crude trimethylolpropane obtained by a reaction of n-butyl aldehyde and formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst in a two-stage process of an aldol condensation and a crossed Cannizzaro reaction. Since a high-boiling component and an inorganic salt are removed in advance from the crude trimethylolpropane, hardly removable impurities such as condensation products in the crude trimethylolpropane are changed in the subsequent heat treatment under acidic conditions to components easily removable by distillation. By distilling the heat-treated crude trimethylolpropane, a highly pure trimethylolpropane with a low content of remaining formaldehyde and a low coloring degree is easily obtained.

Abstract: A process for treating a composition containing a substantial proportion of trimethyflolpropane bis-monolinear formal (TMP-BMLF) or trimethylolethane bis-monolinear formal (TME-BMLF), e.g., a heavy ends residue obtained from the purification of a crude trimethylolpropane (TMP) or trimethylolethane (TME) product, wherein the composition is contacted at an elevated temperature with a strong acid catalyst, e.g., methanesulfonic acid, to produce a composition containing significantly increased amounts of TMP and trimethylolpropane monocyclic formal (TMP-MCF) or TME and trimethylolethane monocyclic formal (TME-MCF) respectively. Also disclosed is a process for reacting TMP-MCF or TME-MCF, either in substantially pure form or as present in the light ends overhead stream obtained in a finishing treatment of crude TMP or TME, with a monohydric or dihydric alcohol, e.g., ethylene glycol, in the presence of a strong acid catalyst to obtain additional TMP or TME and an acetal by-product, e.g.