Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing an optically active 1,2-diol derivative by optical resolution. The optically active 1,2-diol derivative of the formula (I) which is capable of utilizing as an intermediate of fungicidal optically-active azole derivatives can be produced by esterifying a 1,2-diol derivative of the formula (I) as a substrate with a carboxylic acid derivative of the formula (II) as a reagent in the presence of a lipase as a catalyst. ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is C1-C5 alkyl group, C3-C7 cycloalkyl group or C1-C5 haloalkyl group, R.sup.2 is C1-C3 alkyl group substituted by a phenyl group which may have one or two halogen atoms and/or C1-C4 alkyl groups, C2-C3 alkenyl group substituted by a phenyl group which may have one or two halogen atoms and/or C1-C4 alkyl groups, or C1-C3 alkyl group substituted by a phenoxy group which may have one or two halogen atoms and/or C1-C4 alkyl groups, R.sup.3 is C1-C10 alkyl group or aryl group, and R.sup.

Abstract: This invention provides a unique method of producing 1,1-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane ("BPTMC"). The disclosed method manufactures BPTMC from ketals and hemithioketals of 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanone ("TMC"). The reaction takes place in the presence of an acid catalyst, and optionally added co-catalysts. Additionally, applicants have disclosed a particularly useful method of manufacturing BPTMC from TMC and alcohol and/or thiol starting materials. These starting materials react to form the TMC ketal or thioketal materials. This method is particularly useful in that it allows recovery and recycling of the alcohol and/or thiol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique and novel way of producing vinyl phenols such as p-vinyl phenol (4-hydroxystyrene--HSM). In this new process, p-.alpha.-aminoethylphenol (AEP) is heated under suitable deamination conditions of temperature and pressure and for a sufficient period of time to form the 4-hydroxystyrene (HSM).

Abstract: Process for soot-free preparation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide containing synthesis gas, comprising partial oxidation of a steam containing carbonaceous process gas at low temperature and at low steam carbon ratio in a reactor having an upper portion with process gas and oxidizer inlet means and a lower portion with a catalyst bed, wherein a stream of the process gas is injected in a stream of oxidizer gas, which oxidizer gas has been brought into a swirling motion to obtain a maximum number of mixing points for the process and oxidizer gas and to provide substantial soot-free partial oxidation of the process gas.

Abstract: A process for purifying phenol, phenol-type compounds, and substituted phenol and phenol-type compounds of contamination by components more acidic than the phenol component comprising treating a phenol containing process stream by contacting the stream with an amphoteric porous inorganic oxide.

Abstract: Described is a method of preparing dinitrobis(hydroxymethyl)benzene, useful as a photoreactive monomer, from a derivative of stilbene. Also disclosed is a novel dinitrocarbomethoxybenzaldehyde compound useful as an intermediate.

Abstract: 1. A carbon dioxide gas generating composition characterize in that:(a) the composition comprises the combination of at least one component acid greater than carbonic acid in dissociation constant, at least 0.5 g/100 g water in solubility at 30.degree. C. and solid (at least 40.degree. C. in melting point) at room temperature and at least one component alkali carbonate up to 50 g/100 g water in solubility at 3O.degree. C.,(b) at least one of the component acid and the component alkali carbonate of the combination is an acid having a solubility of up to 90 g/100 g water at 30.degree. C. or an alkali carbonate having a solubility of up to 2 g/100 g water at 30.degree. C.,(c) the component acid is an acid or a salt convertible into an acid on decomposition, and the component alkali carbonate is an alkali metal carbonate or hydrogencarbonate, or alkaline earth metal carbonate, and,(d) the ratio of the component acid to the component alkali carbonate to be mixed therewith is 1:5 to 5:1 in equivalent ratio.

Abstract: 4,5-Difluorobenzaldehydes of a given formula are prepared by the reaction of corresponding benzaldehydes with a fluorinating agent.

Abstract: Process for preparing peroxidic perfluoropolyethers by oxidation of tetrafluoroethylene with oxygen, in liquid phase comprising a solvent and in the presence of a chemical initiator, at a pressure between 2 and 15 absolute atm and operating with a molar ratio of the tetrafluoroethylene to the chemical initiator higher than 35. The process allows to increase the molecular weight of the perfluoropolyethers at the same content of peroxidic oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of dialkyl peroxides by selective reaction of an alcohol and/or an olefin with a hydrogen peroxide at 70.degree.-110.degree. C. using an inorganic heteropoly and/or isopoly acid catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of selective preparation of ditertiary butyl peroxide from tertiary butyl hydroperoxide and t-butanol which comprises reacting said tertiary butyl hydroperoxide and t-butanol over a solid acid catalyst selected from:a) an acidic montmorillonite clay;b) an acidic zeolite selected from the group consisting of dealuminized Y-zeolite and pentasil zeolite;c) an acidic organic resin; andd) heteropoly acids supported on an oxide selected from Group III or Group IV.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of selective preparation of ditertiary butyl peroxide from tertiary butyl hydroperoxide and t-butanol which comprises reacting said tertiary butyl hydroperoxide and t-butanol over a Beta-zeolite catalyst under hydroperoxide conversion conditions.

Abstract: Process for the hydroformylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds, by reaction with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst based on a metal of the platinum group, a source of anions and a bidentate ligand of the formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 M.sup.1 RM.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4 wherein M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 are phosphorus, arsenic or antimony, R is a bivalent organic bridging group with 1 to 4 atoms in the bridge, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together represent a bivalent cyclic group and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently represent an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group or together have the same meaning as R.sup.1 and R.sup.2.

Abstract: A process for the hydroformylation of unsaturated compounds containing a group C.dbd.C.dbd.C--OH, in the presence of a catalyst system containing rhodium and a ligand of the formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 P--R--NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group and R represents a bivalent organic bridging group containing from 1 to 5 atoms in the bridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing (E)-1-amino-2-(fluoromethylene)-4-(p-fluorophenyl)butane, also known in the art as (E)-(p-fluorophenethyl)-3-fluoroallylamine, novel intermediates thereof, a novel process for the preparing (E)-2-(fluoromethylene)-4-(p-fluorophenyl)butan-1-ol, and a novel process for preparing alkali metal salts of diformylamide.

Abstract: A process for the distillation of a hydrocarbon mixture, which mixture has been prepared by a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, comprises supplying the hydrocarbon mixture to a wiped film evaporator and recovering a first fraction having a low boiling point range and a narrow melting point range as the light product from the evaporator and recovering a second fraction having a high boiling point range and a wider melting point range as the heavy product of the evaporator. The process is particularly suitable for the distillation of hydrocarbons having a carbon number of C.sub.20 or greater.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen from a hydrocarbon feedstock. The hydrocarbon feedstock is subjected in a first stage to a catalytic partial oxidation process in which it is contacted, as a gaseous mixture comprising the hydrocarbon feedstock and an oxygen-containing gas, which gaseous mixture also comprises nitrogen, with a catalyst comprising as a catalytically active metal rhodium, iridium or platinum. At least a portion of the products of the first stage is subjected in a second stage to a process in which ammonia and/or hydrogen cyanide is removed.

Abstract: A selective deslagging operation is conducted in a partial oxidation reactor wherein a first predetermined portion of the reactor is selectively deslagged by derivatization while limiting derivatizing slag conditions in a second predetermined portion of the reactor. Selective deslagging can be accomplished by controlled oxidation conditions in the reactor that vary from one predetermined portion of the reactor to another. Thus, the slag present in one predetermined portion is derivatized and fluidized for removal from the reactor at a faster rate than the slag present in another portion of the reactor, which is not derivatized or is subjected to more limited derivatizing slag conditions. Derivatized slag can be differentiated from non-derivatized slag that does not flow or more limited derivatized slag that has a lower mass flow rate then the derivatized slag at conditions of controlled oxidation. The derivatized slag can then be selectively removed because it has attained a lower fluidizing temperature.

Abstract: .alpha.-alkyl aldehydes having 8 to 17 carbon atoms are obtained from terminal olefins containing one less carbon atom. The olefins are first isomerized in the presence of iron carbonyl and then, without separating out the iron compound, hydroformylated in the presence of rhodium as catalyst.

Abstract: A copper-containing hydrogenation reaction catalyst is prepared by reducing a precursor of a copper-containing catalyst usable in hydrogenation reaction with hydrogen gas or a mixture of hydrogen and an inert gas by liquid phase reduction in a stream of a solvent in the temperature range of from 50.degree. to 140.degree. C. An alcohol is produced using the catalyst thus obtained in a fixed bed continuous reaction system.