Abstract: A process for the preparation of tertiary alkyl ethers, in particular methyl-tert.-butyl-ether (MTBE), from iso-olefins and aliphatic alcohols by means of a fractionation tower is disclosed, in which the main characteristic of the fractionation tower consists in that the reaction mixture is caused to flow through the catalytic trays in transversal direction relatively to the axis of the same fractionation tower.

Abstract: New 20-methyl-substituted vitamin D derivatives of general formula I ##STR1## are described in whichR.sup.1 means a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group or an alkanoyloxy group with 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a benzoyloxy group,R.sup.2 means a hydrogen atom or an alkanoyl group with 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a benzoyl group andR.sup.3 means a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon radical with up to 18 C atoms, which optionally contains carbocyclic structures, optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, oxo, amino group(s) and/or one or more halogen atom(s) as well as optionally exhibits one or more oxygen, sulfur and/or nitrogen atom(s) as a bridging link or links in the hydrocarbon radical, and a process for their production.Relative to calcitriol, the new compounds exhibit a greatly improved induction of cell differentiation (HL-60) and are suitable for the production of pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: A process for the separation of at least one isomer from a mixture of isomers of a tetrahydropyran-2-one, having at least two chiral centres, which comprises selective reaction of at least one isomer with a reagent catalysed by a hydrolase enzyme whereby at least one isomer is preferentially converted into a distinct chemical species from the other isomers so that it is susceptible of separation by an appropriate chemical or physical separation process in which the tetrahydropyranone is of Formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: Z is --H or a protecting group susceptible of reaction with the reagent under the influence of the enzyme; andY is optionally substituted hydrocarbyl.

Abstract: A process for the separation of at least one isomer from a mixture of isomers of a tetrahydropyran-2-one, having at least two chiral centers which comprises selective reaction of at least one isomer with a reagent catalyzed by a hydrolase enzyme whereby at least one isomer is preferentially converted into a distinct chemical species from the other isomers so that it is susceptible of separation by an appropriate chemical or physical separation process in which the tetrahydropyran-2-one is of Formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: Z is --H or a protecting group susceptible of reaction with the reagent under the influence of the enzyme; andY is formyl or protected formyl.

Abstract: Part of CO-rich syngas, including volatile metal or any acid impurities, reacts with water making cleaned, heated, H.sub.2 -enriched syngas. The rest of the impure CO-rich syngas is combined with hot, H.sub.2 -enriched syngas making cleaned, H.sub.2 -rich syngas, useful for making methanol or oxo compounds.

Abstract: Novel compounds of the general formula I ##STR1## and the pharmacologically tolerable addition salts thereof with acids are described, in which eitherIa) R.sup.11 represents a hydrogen atom in the .beta.-configuration and each of R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 represents a hydrogen atom, orIb) R.sup.11 represents a hydrogen atom in the .beta.-configuration and R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 together represent a second bond, orIc) R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 together represent a second bond and R.sup.13 represents a hydrogen atom, orId) R.sup.11 represents a hydrogen atom in the .alpha.-configuration and R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 together represent a second bond,and in Ia), Ib), Ic) or Id)X represents an oxygen atom, the hydroxyimino grouping >N.about.OH or two hydrogen atoms,R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,R.sup.2 represents a hydroxy group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkoxy group or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -acyloxy group, andR.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: Chloromethane compounds including carbon tetrachloride and the chlorofluoromethane compounds, such as dichlorodifluoromethane, can be catalytically hydrodechlorinated, e.g., in the case of dichlorodifluoromethane to monochlorodifluoromethane and/or difluoromethane, by treatment with hydrogen in the presence of a transition metal carbide catalyst, for example, a Group IVB metal carbide, such as tungsten carbide, supported on an oxidic support, such as alumina, optionally with a passivating layer of ceramic, such as silicon carbide, between the oxidic support and catalyst. The catalyst preferably has a surface area of no less than about 1 m.sup.2 /gm.

Abstract: Compounds of the structure:H(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.k ORO X.sub.m (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n H (I)where R is a divalent hydrocarbyl or hetero-substituted hydrocarbylgroup having up to 10 carbon atoms,X is --CH.sub.2 CH(R.sup.1)O-- or --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 O--,R.sup.1 is methyl or ethyl,m is from 0.5 to 3.0 andk+n is from 3 to 10the number of X groups not exceeding 25% by weight of the compound are disclosed. Such compounds are useful as hydraulic fluids. R is typically --(CH.sub.2).sub.x -- where x is from 4 to 10. A process for preparing an alkoxylating agent with a diol HOROH in a first step and further reacting the product of the first step with ethylene oxide is also disclosed. A typical diol is 1,6-hexanediol; a typical alkoxylating agent is propylene oxide.

Abstract: Perchloroethylene and hydrogen chloride are made by thermal noncatalytic chlorination of hydrocarbons and/or their partially chlorinated derivatives using carbon tetrachloride as a reactive diluent under conditions which maximize consumption of carbon tetrachloride and minimize the production of heavy ends, such as hexachlorobenzene and other tarry products.

Abstract: 1,4-butanediol is prepared from allyl alcohol containing allyl acetate and water. The allyl alcohol is subjected to a hydroformylation reaction in the presence of an organic solvent, a rhodium complex, and a phosphorous compound under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, to produce a hydroformylation product, which is extracted with an alkaline aqueous solution in the presence of carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen. After the extraction, an extracted raffinate solution containing the rhodium complex in the organic solvent is recycled through the same hydroformylation process, while the extracted aqueous solution containing the hydroformylation product is subjected to a hydrogenation reaction in the presence of hydrogen, with a hydrogenation catalyst added, to produce 1,4-butanediol.

Abstract: A storage stable form of the pivaloyloxymethyl ester of the carbapenem derivative known as (1R, 5S, 6S)-2-[(4R)-2-oxo-4-pyrrolidinylthio]-6-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-1-methyl-1-c arbapen-2-em-3-carboxylic acid in crystalline form.

Abstract: A process for preparing 1-amino-4-hydroxyanthraquinone by treating 1,4-dihydroxyanthraquinone with ammonia in an aqueous medium comprises treating with ammonia in the presence of a base and of a catalytic amount of a reducing agent at from 60.degree. to 150.degree. C. and at from 1 to 30 bar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new fluorinated hexane compounds corresponding to the following general formula (II): ##STR1## in which X'.sub.2, X'.sub.3 and X'.sub.4 are the same or different, and denote a halogen or a pseudohalogen, preferably a halogen, more preferably chlorine and fluorine, with the condition that, when R.sub.1 is hydroxyl, cyano, amido, imido, ethoxy, benzyloxy, cyclohexyloxy and tert-butoxy, not all the halogens can simultaneously be chlorine and R.sub.4, R.sub.3 and R.sub.5 are simultaneously equal to H;R.sub.1 denotes a hydrogen, a hydrocarbon chain such as an alkyl chain, alkoxy, cycloalkyl ether, an aromatic group, aromatic ether or an alkoxy, carbonyl, carboxyl or acyloxy, cyano, amido, imido or hydroxyl group;R.sub.

Abstract: The purge gas from a methanol synthesis loop is subjected to a further step of methanol synthesis, preferably while in indirect heat exchange with the purge gas undergoing heating to the synthesis inlet temperature so that the reacted purge gas, containing synthesized methanol, leaves the synthesis catalyst at a temperature below the maximum temperature achieved by the reacting purge gas during passage over the catalyst.The synthesis loop can be operated less efficiently, eg at a lower pressure or with added carbon dioxide, than is conventional since the additional methanol produced from the purge gas compensates for the loss of loop efficiency.The addition of the purge gas synthesis stage enables existing plants to be uprated by lowering the loop pressure, thus enabling a greater throughput through the synthesis gas compressor to be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing (+)-estrone derivatives, characterized in that it comprises starting from a certain cyclopentadiene derivative, reacting the derivative with a certain diene compound by an asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction, and via intermediates obtaining a (+)-estron derivative represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R is alkyl of 1-20 carbon atoms. According to the present invention, (+)-estron derivatives can be obtained by limited steps from the starting materials of dicyclopentadiene derivatives.

Abstract: Fungal nail infections are treated by depriving aerobic fungi of oxygen by forming an oxygen barrier over the exposed surface of an infected nail. Conveniently, the oxygen barriers are formed by applying a liquid film-forming carrier comprising an oxygen-scavenging substance, such as transition metal chelate or complex of salicylic acid or a salicylate, an oxidizable organic acid or alcohol in combination with a catalyzing agent, or a polycarboxylic acid chelate or complex of a transition metal or transition metal salt.

Abstract: A method of conducting a continuous multi-phase catalytic reaction such as the conversion of syngas to higher hydrocarbon fuels. Gaseous reactants are introduced via a gas permeable plate into a slurry which includes the product and a finely divided catalyst. The liquid product is separated from the remainder of the slurry by means of a filter unit including a filter member. A pressure differential is established across the filter member by means of a constant level device within the filter unit which maintains a level of filtrate within the filter unit below the level of the slurry. The slurry is maintained in a constant state of agitation by the introduction of the gaseous components as a steam of bubbles. Fluctuations in the pressure differential across the filter member prevent the filter member from clogging, and the gas space is above the filtrate and the slurry are in communication.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol of the formula IHO-CH.sub.2 -CH.sub.2 -C.ident.C-.ident.C-CH.sub.2 -OH (I)by the reaction of diacetylene of the formula IIH-C.ident.C-C.ident.C-H (II)with formaldehyde of the formula IIIH.sub.2 C=O (III),in the presence of a silver catalysts, in which the reaction is carried out in the presence of a polar organic solvent at temperatures ranging from 0.degree. to 150.degree. C. and under pressures ranging from 0.01 to 10 bar.

Abstract: Carbapenem compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## [in which: A is a fully saturated heterocyclic group, of which at least one ring atom is nitrogen; R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl; R.sup.2 is hydrogen or alkyl; R.sup.3 is hydrogen or a negative ion; Q is: (i) --B--N.sup.+ R.sup.8 R.sup.9 R.sup.10, where R.sup.8, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are alkenyl, alkynyl or optionally substituted alkyl, and B is alkylene or alkylidene; (ii) a heterocyclic group of which one ring atom is a >N.sup.+ R.sup.11 R.sup.12, where R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 are alkenyl, alkynyl or optionally substituted alkyl; (iii) alkyl substituted by a heterocyclic group as defined in (ii) above; or (iv) alkyl substituted by an aromatic heterocyclic group, of which one ring atom is ##STR2## or R.sup.2 and Q, and the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a group of formula (II): ##STR3## where m and n are 1, 2 or 3; R.sup.6 is optionally substituted alkyl; and R.sup.

Abstract: Normally liquid chlorofluoroether compositions consisting or consisting essentially of one or a selected mixture of perhalogenated chlorofluoroether compounds are provided by direct fluorination of the corresponding chloroether or chlorofluoroether precursors. The compositions are useful, for example, as heat transfer agents, blood substitutes, and solvents.