Abstract: An aldolisation-dehydration process is disclosed for converting an aldehyde, e.g. n-valeraldehyde, to a substituted acrolein, e.g. propyl butyl acrolein (2-propylhept-2-enal). Aldolisation and dehydration are effected in a stirred tank reactor (16; 111) using an alkali catalyst, such as sodium hydroxide. A reaction product stream (23; 113) containing both organic and aqueous phases is distilled (in column 25; 123) to yield a heterogeneous azeotrope containing water and aldehyde. On condensation and phase separation the lower water layer (34; 150) can be discharged from the plant without the need for neutralisation. From the bottom of the distillation zone a mixture (36;157) of substituted acrolein and alkali catalyst solution is obtained. The substituted acrolein is recovered as product (45;173), while the catalyst solution (47;175) is recycled to the aldolisation reactor. Part (49; 181) of the catalyst solution is purged to control the level of Cannizzaro reaction products.

Abstract: A diaryl carbonate is produced by transesterification of a dialkyl carbonate, such as dimethyl carbonate, with an aromatic hydroxy compound, such as phenol, in three successive reaction zones. A transesterification catalyst, such as a titanate ester or ester mixture is used in each zone. Conditions are selected to maximize formation of alkyl aryl carbonate in the first and second reaction zones, while conversion to diaryl carbonate is favored in the third reaction zone. The vaporous mixture from the first two reaction zones is a mixture containing alkyl alcohol, dialkyl carbonate, alkyl aryl carbonate and aromatic hydroxy compound. This mixture is separated in an alkyl alcohol recovery zone by distillation in the distillation columns to produce useful recycle streams.

Abstract: Liquid sulphur-containing hydrocarbon feedstock is passed through two or more hydrodesulfurization zones and connected in a series each containing a packed bed of solid sulfurized catalyst. The liquid is passed from the first zone to the next until the final zone. Make up hydrogen is supplied to a hydrodesulfurization zone (i) other than the first hydrodesulfurization zone; hydrogen-containing gas is recovered from each hydrodesulfurization zone. The first hydrodesulfurization zone is supplied with hydrogen-containing gas recovered from a subsequent hydrodesulfurization zone. Hydrogen-containing gas recovered from the first hydrodesulfurization zone is purged. Liquid material recovered from the first hydrodesulfurization zone is recycled to the inlet of the hydrosulfurization zone so as to provide diluent for admixture with liquid feedstock.

Abstract: A hydrodesulfurization process is provided for continuously effecting hydrodesulfurization of a liquid sulfur-containing hydrocarbon feedstock which comprises: (a) providing a hydrodesulfurization zone maintained under hydrodesulfurization conditions and comprising a column reactor having a plurality of reaction trays therein mounted one above another, each tray defining a respective reaction stage adapted to hold a predetermined liquid volume and a charge of a sulfided solid hydrodesulfurization catalyst therein, liquid downcomer means associated with each reaction tray adapted to allow liquid to pass down the column reactor from that tray but to retain solid catalyst thereon, and gas upcomer means associated with each reaction tray adapted to allow gas to enter that tray from below and to agitate the mixture of liquid and catalyst on that tray; (b) supplying liquid sulfur-containing hydrocarbon feedstock to the uppermost one of said plurality of reaction trays; (c) supplying hydrogen-containing gas below th

Abstract: A liquid phase catalytic hydrogenation process is described in which an organic feedstock, such as an aldehyde containing from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, is contracted with hydrogen in the presence of a solid hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions to produce a hydrogenation product, such as the corresponding alcohol containing from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, which process comprises passing a feed solution of the organic feedstock in an inert diluent therefor downwardly in co-current with a hydrogen-containing gas through a hydrogenation zone containing a bed of a particulate hydrogenation catalyst whose particles substantially all lie in the range of from about 1.

Abstract: Continuous process for hydroformylation of olefins containing, typically, from 6 to 20 carbon atoms to produce the corresponding aldehydes. The rate of formation of high boiling aldehyde condensation products is minimized by use of a high boiling inert solvent whose boiling point, at the pressure prevailing in the product recovery zone, lies intermediate between that of the highest boiling aldehyde product produced in the hydroformylation reaction and that of the ligand, as well as by maintaining the concentration of product aldehyde at or below a predetermined minor amount. In this way the length of a production run can be significantly extended before it becomes necessary to shut down the plant due to accumulation of high boiling aldehyde condensation products.

Abstract: A continuous hydroformylation process for the production of an aldehyde by hydroformylation of an olefin comprises:providing a hydroformylation zone containing a charge of a liquid reaction medium having dissolved therein (a) a complex rhodium hydroformylation catalyst comprising rhodium in complex combination with carbon monoxide and with a cyclic phosphite having a phosphorus atom linked to three oxygen atoms at least two of which form together with the phosphorus atom part of a ring and (b) a ligand stabilizing amount of a tertiary amine;supplying said olefin to the hydroformylation zone;maintaining temperature and pressure conditions in the hydroformylation zone conducive to hydroformylation of the olefin;supplying make-up hydrogen and carbon monoxide to the hydroformylation zone; andrecovering from the liquid hydroformylation medium a hydroformylation product comprising at least one aldehyde.

Abstract: A subminiature multi-pin/socket connector member (10) comprising an elongate housing and at least two rows of contactor units (11) mounted in the housing, each contactor unit including a contactor portion (12) extending from a front face of the housing and a termination (13) extending from a rear face of the housing, the contactor units and terminations being, each collectively, arranged in staggered formation, wherein the pitch of the terminations differs from the pitch of the contactor units.Also a contactor unit (11) e.g. for a subminiature multi-pin/socket connector, the unit being formed of e.g. metal strip material and comprising a contactor portion (2) e.g. of pin or socket form, a termination (13) and a torsionally flexible bridge portion (15) interconnecting the contacting portion and the termination.

Abstract: Butane-1,4-diol is produced by converting allyl alcohol to an allyl t-alkyl or -cycloalkyl ether of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each, independently of the other, represent a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radical, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each, independently of the other, represent a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl radical, or wherein R.sub.1 represents a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a 5-membered or 6-membered cycloaliphatic ring, and R.sub.4 represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production an aldehyde by hydroformylation of an optionally substituted alpha-olefin comprises:providing a hydroformylation zone containing a charge of a liquid reaction medium having dissolved therein a complex rhodium hydroformylation catalyst comprising rhodium in complex combination with carbon monoxide and with a cyclic phosphite having a bridgehead phosphorus atom linked to three oxygen atoms at least two of which form together with the bridgehead phosphorus atom part of a ring;supplying said alpha-olefin to the hydroformylation zone;maintaining temperature and pressure conditions in the hydroformylation zone conducive to hydroformylation of the alpha-olefin;supplying make-up hydrogen and carbon monoxide to the hydroformylation zone; andrecovering from the liquid hydroformylation medium a hydroformylation product comprising at least one aldehyde.

Abstract: A process for the production of an aldehyde by hydroformylation of an olefin comprises:providing a hydroformylation zone containing a charge of a liquid reaction medium having dissolved therein a complex rhodium hydroformylation catalyst comprising rhodium in complex combination with carbon monoxide and with an organic phosphite ligand of the general formula:(RO).sub.3 P (I)in which each R represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl radical;supplying said olefin to the hydroformylation zone;maintaining temperature and pressure conditions in the hydroformylation zone conducive to hydroformylation of the olefin;supplying make-up hydrogen and carbon monoxide to the hydroformylation zone;recovering from the liquid hydroformylation medium a hydroformylation product comprising at least one aldehyde; andsupplying make-up phosphite ligand to the hydroformylation zone at a rate sufficient to maintain a predetermined level of free phosphite ligand in the hydroformylation medium.

Abstract: A process for the production of a non-linear aldehyde by hydroformylation of an optionally substituted internal olefin comprises:providing a hydroformylation zone containing a charge of a liquid reaction medium having dissolved therein a complex rhodium hydroformylation catalyst comprising rhodium in complex combination with carbon monoxide and with a cyclic phosphite having a bridgehead phosphorus atom linked to three oxygen atoms at least two of which form together with the bridgehead phosphorus atom part of a ring;supplying said internal olefin to the hydroformylation zone;maintaining temperature and pressure conditions in the hydroformylation zone conducive to hydroformylation of the internal olefin;supplying make-up hydrogen and carbon monoxide to the hydroformylation zone; andrecovering from the liquid hydroformylation medium a hydroformylation product comprising at least one non-linear aldehyde.

Abstract: Aldehyde ethers of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each, independently of the other, represent a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radical, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each, independently of the other, represent a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl radical, or wherein R.sub.1 represents a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a 5-membered or 6-membered cycloaliphatic ring, and R.sub.4 represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl radical, and wherein Y represents --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 or --CH.sub.2 --CH (CH.sub.3)--, are prepared by hydroformylation of a corresponding compound of formula. ##STR2## by reaction with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst, e.g. a rhodium complex catalyst. Preferred compounds include 4-t-butoxybutyraldehyde and 3-t-butoxy-2-methylpropionaldehyde.

Abstract: Aldehyde ethers of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each, independently of the other, represent a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radical, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each, independently of the other, represent a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl radical, or wherein R.sub.1 represents a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a 5-membered or 6-membered cycloaliphatic ring, and R.sub.4 represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl radical, and wherein Y represents --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --C.sub.2 or --CH.sub.2 --CH (CH.sub.3)--, are prepared by hydroformylation of a corresponding compound of formula: ##STR2## by reaction with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst, e.g. a rhodium complex catalyst. Preferred compounds include 4-t-butoxybutyraldehyde and 3-t-butoxy-2-methylpropionaldehyde.

Abstract: Butyrolactone is produced by oxidizing an aldehyde-ether of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each, independently of the other, represent a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radical, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each, independently of the other, represent a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl radical, or wherein R.sub.1 represents a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a 5-membered or 6-membered cycloaliphatic ring, and R.sub.4 represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl radical, to form an acid ether of the general formula: ##STR2## followed by deetherification, dehydration and cyclization. Oxidation can be carried out with e.g. gaseous oxygen. Deetherification can be accomplished by contact with an acid catalyst, while cyclization may occur spontaneously. A cyclic process is described in which allyl alcohol is converted by reaction with a suitable olefin, e.g.

Abstract: n-Valeraldehyde is produced by hydroformylation of butene-1 in the presence of one or more of cis- and trans-butene-2 and iso-butylene using a rhodium complex catalyst such as HRh(CO)PPh.sub.3).sub.3. Reaction conditions include use of at least about 100 moles of free triorganophosphine per gram atom of rhodium, a temperature of about 80.degree. C. to about 130.degree. C., a total pressure of not more than about 50 kg/cm.sup.2 absolute, a partial pressure of carbon monoxide of not more than about 1.5 kg/cm.sup.2 absolute, and a partial pressure of hydrogen of from about 1.0 to about 7.5 kg/cm.sup.2 absolute. An n-/iso-ratio of 20:1 and a conversion efficiency of butene-1 to n-valeraldehyde of over 85% are possible under these conditions with essentially no resin formation despite the presence of iso-butylene. The n-/iso-valeraldehyde mixture can be aldolized and reduced without intermediate purification to give a commercially acceptable C.sub.10 -plasticizer alcohol.

Abstract: Tetrahydrofuran is produced by converting allyl alcohol to an allyl t-alkyl or -cycloalkyl ether of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each, independently of the other, represent a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radical, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each, independently of the other, represent a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl radical, or wherein R.sub.1 represents a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a 5-membered or 6-membered cycloaliphatic ring, and R.sub.4 represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.