Abstract: This invention relates to 1,2-di(4-hydroxyaryl)tetrafluoroethanes of the general formula (I) wherein R are each, independently of one another, hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, I, CN, COOR2, C1–C4-alkyl, C1–C4-alkoxy, C1–C4-alkylthio, C1–C4-perfluoroalkyl, C1–C4-perfluoroalkoxy, C1–C4-perfluoroalkylthio, C1–C4-polyfluoroalkyl, C1–C4-polyfluoroalkoxy, or C1–C4-polyfluoroalkylthio, R2 is C1–C4-alkyl, and n is an integer from 0 to 4. This invention further relates to the preparation of such compounds as well as to precursors and intermediates that can be used in their preparation.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a dimer diol derivative and a composition containing the dimer diol derivative which have an excellent water-holding property, an excellent pigment dispersion property and further a high level of safety. The dimer diol derivatives according to the present invention is a dimer diol derivative represented by the following chemical formula 19.

Abstract: The hydrothermal treatment is based on placing the crude residual plant material in contact with hot water in a closed reactor, comprising the following steps: a) placing the material to be treated in contact with water in a closed reactor, and adjusting the solid/liquid ratio so that it ranges from 1/5 to 1/15 (w/v): b) stirring; c) heating to a temperature between 180 and 240° C., and at a pressure so that the water is maintained in liquid phase; d) constantly stirring the mixture for a time period between 4 and 30 minutes; and e) cooling the reactor to approximately 40° C., unloading the mixture, filtering and recovering the liquid fraction.

Abstract: A process of preparing an alkylene glycol which process involves: i) reacting a respective alkylene oxide and water in a first reactor, ii) removing from the first reactor a reactor output mixture comprising an alkylene glycol and unreacted water, iii) transferring a proportion of the reactor output mixture to a distillation unit and a proportion of the reaction output mixture to a second reactor containing a catalyst, iv) reacting the reaction output mixture in the second reactor with a further amount of the respective alkylene oxide, and v) transferring a reactor output mixture from the second reactor to a distillation unit.

Abstract: A process for selectively converting a dialkyl ether to the corresponding alkene and alkanol comprises contacting a feed containing at least one dialkyl ether with a catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide which comprises at least one metal selected from Group 4 of the Periodic Table of Elements and at least one metal selected from Group 3 (including the Lanthanides and Actinides) and Group 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements.

Abstract: Polycyclic fluoroalkanes that are highly transparent to UV wavelengths ranging from about 190 nm to 260 nm are provided. The polycyclic fluoroallkanes are suitable for use in a variety of applications, particularly in the vacuum UV and deep UV region of the electromagnetic spectrum. For example, the polycyclic fluoroalkanes are useful in optical couplants, optical cements, optical elements, optical inspection media for semiconductor wafers and devices, and immersion photolithography, particularly at 193 and 248 nm exposure wavelength.

Abstract: This invention refers to a process for the synthesis of phenol and acetone starting from cumene hydroperoxide, and to a plant specifically developed for performing this process. More in particular, this invention refers to a process for the synthesis of phenol and acetone starting from cumene hydroperoxide, comprising the following steps: a) Pretreating of the starting cumene hydroperoxide with acidic resins, to obtain cumene hydroperoxide free of inorganic cations; b) Decomposing of the cumene hydroperoxide free of inorganic cations originating from the step (a) in the presence of acidic resins, to yield phenol and acetone.

Abstract: Processes for preparing high purity polycyclic fluoroalkanes are provided. The polycyclic fluoroalkanes are useful as solvents, cleaning agents, heat transfer fluids, refrigerants, lubricants, and, in a preferred embodiment, by virtue of high refractive index and high transparency to UV wavelengths, optical applications in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV).