Abstract: An improved vapor phase catalytic hydrogenation of aldehydes to the corresponding alcohols wherein the improvement comprises employing a copper oxide-zinc oxide catalyst impregnated with a selectivity enhancer selected from the group consisting of an alkali-metal, transition metal and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Aryloxyperfluoroalkyl arenes are disclosed which have relatively low melting points and pour points and are useful as high temperature lubricants. Examples of the invention include 1-(m-phenoxyphenoxy)-2-phenyl-1, 1,2,2,-tetrafluoroethane and 1-(m-phenoxyphenoxy)-2-(m-trifluoromethylphenoxy-m-phenoxyphenoxy)-1,1,2,2 -t etrafluoroethane.

Abstract: Improved processes for liberating boronic, RB(OR').sub.2, and borinic, RR'BOR', esters from their "ate" complexes, free of alcohol are provided. Pyrolysis of lithium organylborates LiRB(OR').sub.3 and LiRR'BOR', wherein R is an organyl group and R' is straight or branched-chain lower alkyl, directly yields the relatively volatile boronic and borinic esters in high purity, leaving behind a residue of lithium alkoxide. Treatment of the lithium organylborates with an appropriate acid halide cleanly liberates either volatile or non-volatile boronic or borinic esters, readily separated from the lower alkyl ester produced as a by-product. The novel compound lithium dimethylborohydride is also provided.

Abstract: Improved processes for liberating boronic, RB(OR').sub.2, and borinic, RR'BOR', esters from their "ate" complexes, free of alcohol are provided. Pyrolysis of lithium organylborates LiRB(OR').sub.3 and LiRR'BOR', wherein R is an organyl group and R' is straight or branched-chain lower alkyl, directly yields the relatively volatile boronic and borinic esters in high purity, leaving behind a residue of lithium alkoxide. Treatment of the lithium organylborates with an appropriate acid halide cleanly liberates either volatile or non-volatile boronic or borinic esters, readily separated from the lower alkyl ester produced as a by-product. The novel compound lithium dimethylborohydride is also provided.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active alcohols by reducing ketones using mono- or diisopinocampheylhaloboranes as reducing agents.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing 2-propyn-1-ol by decomposing 2-butyn-1,4-diol in the presence of a copper acetylide catalyst. 2-propyn-1-ol is produced at high conversion, yield, and purity.

Abstract: A method for producing neopentyl glycol is described using tertiaryamines as a catalyst for the condensation of isobutyraldehyde and formaldehyde followed by hydrogenation of the resulting reaction mixture using a manganese oxide promoted copper chromite catalyst.

Abstract: Improved processes for liberating boronic, RB(OR').sub.2' and borinic, RR'BOR', esters from their "ate" complexes, free of alcohol are provided. Pyrolysis of lithium organylborates LiRB(OR').sub.3 and LiRR'BOR', wherein R is an organyl group and R' is straight or branched-chain lower alkyl, directly yields the relatively volatile boronic and borinic esters in high purity, leaving behind a residue of lithium alkoxide. Treatment of the lithium organylborates with an appropriate acid halide cleanly liberates either volatile or non-volatile boronic or borinic esters, readily separated from the lower alkyl ester produced as a by-product. The novel compound lithium dimethylborohydride is also provided.

Abstract: 4-isopropylcyclohexylmethanol and its alkyl ethers of the general formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, are prepared by a process in which the novel 4-(1-alkoxy-1-methylethyl)-benzaldehyde or its dialkyl acetal of the general formula II ##STR2## where X is oxygen (IIa) or its two R.sup.2 O groups (IIb) and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, is heated to 100.degree.-250.degree. C., preferably 130.degree.-200.degree. C., under a hydrogen pressure of from 50 to 350, preferably from 150 to 300, bar in the presence of a noble metal of group VIII of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: This invention presents a method for the preparation of isophthalaldehyde in an all-aqueous solution using m-xylenediamine, hexamethylenetetramine, and HCl as the only reactants. Such a process permits the preparation of high yield of a high purity product.

Abstract: A process for producing a fluorobenzaldehyde of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is a chlorine atom, a bromine atom or an iodine atom, n is an integer of from 1 to 5, and m is an integer of from 1 to 5, provided n.gtoreq.m, which comprises reacting a halogenated benzaldehyde of the formula: ##STR2## wherein X and n are as defined above, with a metal fluoride in the presence of a catalyst, wherein at least one member selected from the group consisting of quaternary phosphonium salts and quaternary ammonium salts is used as the catalyst.