Abstract: A process for the production of N-methyl pyrrolidone using gamma butyrolactone and mixed methylamines as starting materials, in a continuous process, in such operating conditions as to allow the production of high purity N-methyl pyrrolidone in high yields.

Abstract: A continuous process for converting by transesterification the diester of polytetramethylene ether (PTMEA) to the corresponding polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG). The process is characterized by the fact that the feed, consisting of PTMEA along with an alkanol (preferably methanol) and with an alkali metal oxide, hydroxide or alkoxide catalyst (preferably sodium methaoxide) is made to react in two multistaged reactions in series. In the first reactant, including stages of retention in association with distillation trays of high efficiency, the bulk of conversion is achieved by stripping the alkanol ester formed in the transesterification with vapors of hot alkanol having a reduced content of alkanol ester. The transesterification is completed in the second reaction by stripping the effluent from the first reactor with vapors of hot alkanol almost free of alkanol ester.

Abstract: A process for production of tetrahydrofuran and gamma butyrolactone by hydrogenation of maleic anhydride recovered from a process of conversion of a n-butane.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of high quality unsaturated dimethylesters by reacting dicarboxylic anhydrides, typically maleic anhydride or phthalic anhydride, with methanol. The process is characterized by the fact that the esterification is performed in two steps, the step 1 consisting in a non catalytic reaction of formation of monomethylesters, and the step 2 consisting in the catalytic reaction of formation of dimethylesters from the monomethylester, the said catalytic reaction taking place in a reactor consisting of a multi-tray column where the liquid phase containing the mono and diester mixture flows downwards from each tray coming to contact with a progressively drier upflowing stream of vapors in countercurrent, which continuously removes the water formed in the reaction from the liquid phase. The process uses an alkylbenzene sulfonic acid with an alkyl radical containing from 10 to 13 carbon atoms as esterification catalyst.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of dimethylesters by reacting dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides, typically maleic anhydride or phthalic anhydrides, with methanol. The process uses an alkylbenzene sulfonic acid with an alkyl radical containing from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 13 carbon atoms as esterification catalyst.

Abstract: A two-stage process for producing tetrahydrofuran and gammabutyrolactone in varying proportions from maleic, succinic anhydride or fumaric acid esters, by vapor phase hydrogenation. The first stage occurs on a copper-based catalyst to produce a mixture of tetrahydrofuran, gammabutyrolactone and butanediol. The second stage occurs on an acidic silica rich silica-alumina type catalyst to convert butanediol to tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: Process for the production of tetrahydrofuran, gammabutyrolactone and butanediol starting from maleic anhydride esters, consisting of two subsequent hydrogenations.

Abstract: A process for the production of N-methyl-pyrrolidone obtained by reaction of gammabutyrolactone and mononmethylamine; wherein the synthesis is carried out by a continuous non catalytic process in liquid phase, via three distinct reaction stages connected in series.

Abstract: Process for the production of 1,4-butanediol by mixed phase catalytic hydrogenation of gamma-butyrolactone, succinic anhydride esters, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of oxidation catalysts containing vanadium-phosphorus mixed oxides, consisting of: a) contacting a phosphorus compound with a vanadium compound in an organic solvent under conditions allowing the preparation, recovery, drying of said precursor, b) submitting the precursor, prior to calcination, to a treatment by contacting with a stream of dry inert gas containing vapors of an aliphatic anhydride, having from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably acetic anhydride, at a temperature not exceeding 200° C., c) calcinating the precursor under an atmosphere containing air, steam, or inert gas or a mixture of them at a temperature between 350° C. and 550° C. at controlled rate of temperature increase during the time necessary to obtain active catalysts, d) using of said catalysts for the production of maleic anhydride by oxidation of aliphatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: In producing maleic anhydride by catalytic oxidation of n-butane in vapor phase using oxygen or enriched air as oxidation medium, the reaction mixture consists of butane, oxygen and a recycling exhaust gas recovered from the absorption stage by a solvent of the maleic anhydride produced in the reaction. In the instant process the carbon monoxide and the carbon dioxide concentration in the reactor mixture are held to on optimum level by performing the reaction on a suitable V.P.O. catalyst, and by feeding to the recycling gases, in addition to butane and oxygen, a carbon dioxide rich gas stream.The carbon dioxide rich gas stream can be produced either by selective absorption and desorption of carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream purged from the recycling exhaust gases or by selective separation on membranes of a carbon dioxide rich stream from the purge gas stream, or by selective catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide of a gaseous stream purged from the recycling exhaust gases.

Abstract: Process for the recovery of maleic anhydride from a gaseous mixture thereof, in which the gaseous mixture containing maleic anhydride is contacted with an absorbant for the maleic anhydride to give an enriched absorbant. Water present in the enriched absorbant is then substantially removed by contacting the enriched absorbant with a water adsorbant or with a low humidity stripping gas to produce a dried enriched absorbant. The maleic anhydride is then recovered from the dried enriched absorbant.