Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a bisphenol A by continuously feeding phenol and acetone into a reactor unit having at least two reaction zones connected in series. In the process, an acidic cation-exchange resin partially neutralized with a sulfur-containing nitrogen compound in from 15 to 50% of the acid site thereof is used as the catalyst, and acetone having a methanol concentration of at most 3,000 ppm is separately fed into at least two reaction zones in the reactor unit. The life of the acidic cation-exchange resin catalyst used in the process is prolonged.

Abstract: A process for preparing cyclohexanol from benzene by: a) preparing cyclohexene by hydrogenating benzene in the presence of a catalyst, and b) preparing cyclohexanol by hydrating the cyclohexene in the presence of a catalyst, comprises: carrying out steps a) and b) in a reaction facility which has a bottom region at the lower end, a top region at the upper end, and a reaction zone between the top region and the bottom region which contains the catalyst according to steps a) and b), evaporating a portion of the benzene using the heat of reaction in the reaction zone, condensing it in the top region and returning it to the reaction zone, and withdrawing a reaction mixture containing cyclohexanol in the bottom region.

Abstract: A process for preparing 3(4),8(9)-dihydroxymethyltricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane by hydroformylating dicyclopentadiene with subsequent distillation wherein the hydroformylation of dicyclopentadiene is carried out in two stages, and, in a first hydroformylation stage, the reaction is effected in a heterogeneous reaction system using an aqueous solution of transition metal compounds, containing water-soluble organic phosphorus (III) compounds in complex-bound form, of group VIII of the Periodic Table to give 8(9)-formyltricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec-3-ene, and, in a second hydroformylation stage, the thus obtained 8(9)-formyltricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec-3-ene is converted, in homogeneous organic phase in the presence of transition metal compounds of group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements to 3(4),8(9)-bisformyltricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of isopropanol is provided, wherein a benzene-containing feed of acetone is hydrogenated to obtain isopropanol and hydrogenation products of benzene. Combination of such a process with a process for the preparation of phenol and combination of such a process with a series of separation steps is provided.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for the hydrogenation of alkylaryl ketones, which process involves contacting a feed containing the alkylaryl ketones and from 0.5% to 30% by weight of phenolic compounds with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst. The invention further relates to a process for preparing a hydrogenation catalyst with improved activity.

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: A process is described for the preparation of phenol characterized in that the phenol is obtained by means of the hydrodeoxygenation of benzene-diols with hydrogen, operating in continuous, in an aqueous solution, at temperatures ranging from 250 to 500° C., at pressures of 1-100 bar and in the presence of a catalyst based on elements of group VIB or group VIII of the periodic table.

Abstract: Phenol is formed by reaction of oxidant and benzene over a solid catalyst such as Pd on TS-1, the reaction being carried out in carbon dioxide solvent at conditions effective to provide a dense phase reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride by reacting an unsaturated carboxylic acid and a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid anhydride in the presence of a stabilizer and catalyst that contains a metal salt of an anionic organic compound which has at least one carboxyl group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of certain resorcinol derivatives as skin lightening agents.

Abstract: A method for producing an oxygenated compound from a cycloalkane compound which method is characterized in that a cycloalkane compound is contacted with oxygen in the presence of a cobalt compound and a ruthenium compound.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting methane to methanol by partial oxidation comprises a source of methane, a source of oxygen, and a capillary tube having an outflow end and an inflow end communicating with the sources of methane and oxygen. An anode is positioned proximate to but spaced from the capillary tube. A voltage source negatively biases the capillary tube relative to the anode. A plasma jet flows from the outflow end of the capillary tube. The methane partially oxidizes into methanol in a reaction zone in the plasma jet. A collector receives the methanol in the plasma jet for subsequent condensation, separation and purification.

Abstract: The present application relates to a process for producing high-purity bis(4-hydroxyaryl)alkanes from adducts of bis(4-hydroxyaryl)alkanes and aromatic hydroxy compounds, which are obtained by acid-catalysed reaction of the aromatic hydroxy compounds with ketones.

Abstract: Water tolerant Lewis acids are used in a process for the preparation of alkylene glycols by catalytic hydration of the corresponding alkylene oxide. The water tolerant Lewis acids can be a metal salt of a non-coordinating or weakly coordinating anion and a Group IIIB, rare earth or lanthanide, actinide or Group IVB cation. Optionally, carbon oxide may also be present. Examples of such water tolerant Lewis acids are scandium triflate, europium triflate, hafnium triflate, yttrium triflate, lanthanum triflate and ytterbium triflate. The catalyst may contain a coordinating anion instead, examples of which are scandium sulfate [Sc2(SO4)3], scandium chloride [ScCl3], scandium acetate [Sc(OAc)3] and scandium nitrate [Sc(NO3)3].

Abstract: Polyisobutenylphenols are prepared by alkylating an aromatic hydroxy compound with substantially monoethylenically unsaturated and substantially homopolymeric polyisobutenes in the presence of a Lewis acid alkylation catalyst by a process in which the polyisobutenes have a ? double bond content of at least 35 mol %.

Abstract: A method for removing trialkyl ammonium formate from a methylol alkanes obtained by condensation of formaldehyde with a higher aldehyde. The invention is characterized in that trialkyl ammonium formate is decomposed at a high temperature using catalysts containing at least one metal from groups 8-12 of the classification of elements in the presence of gas containing hydrogen. The method makes it possible to separate trialkyl ammonium formate according to the organic Cannizzaro method and according to the hydrogenation method.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for conversion of (3R,3?R,6?R)-lutein to (3R,6?R)-?-cryptoxanthin, (3R)-?-cryptoxanthin, anhydroluteins I, II, and III (dehydration products of lutein), and a method for separating and purifying the individual carotenoids including the unreacted (3R,3?R)-zeaxanthin. The invention also includes two methods that transform (3R,3?R,6?R)-lutein into (3R,6?R)-?-cryptoxanthin in excellent yields.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of formula I: wherein R is a hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl group which is straight chain, branched or cyclic, with or without an oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur heteroatom anywhere in the chain or ring by reacting a compound of formula II: with a source of hydrogen selected from either hydrogen or water in the presence of a mixture of at least two catalysts selected from nickel, raney nickel, and palladium, at a pH below 7.0 in a solvent medium comprising an alcohol having a carbon chain length of up to 3.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a reaction of one substance capable of being activated by a catalyst with another substance capable of reacting with said one substance activated, characterized in that the substance capable of being activated is activated by passing the substance through a diaphragm type catalyst and the reaction is thus performed in one reaction step; a method for producing an aromatic alcohol utilizing the above method; and a reaction apparatus suitable for these reactions. In the method, one substance is activated by passing through a diaphragm type catalyst and an objective reaction is carried out by using the activated substance, and the reaction can be performed in one reaction step and with safety. Moreover, the contact of the above activated substance with a compound to be reacted therewith can be freely controlled, and therefore, over-reaction can be prevented and an objective product can be produced in high yield.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for extracting carotenoids from green plant materials using supercritical fluid extraction. A first and second supercritical fluid extraction is performed on the green plant composition at two different pressures to obtain two extracts. The first extract includes substantial amounts of ?-carotene. The second extract may have a controlled concentration of ?-carotene, and includes substantial amounts of lutein.