Abstract: A process for the deep desulfurisation of hydrocarbons (HC), in particular Natural Gas Condensate (NGC), and HC comprising diesel, pre-extracted diesel and naphtha, is described which is capable of reducing the sulfur content of these HC from 500 to 30 ppm. The process comprises contacting the hydrocarbon material with an oxidant selected from organic peroxy acids, organic peroxides, inorganic peroxides and mixtures thereof, in at least a stochiometric amount sufficient to oxidise a sulfur compound to a sulfone compound; contacting the hydrocarbon material with an aqueous extractant to allow at least a portion of the oxidised sulfur compounds to be extracted into the aqueous extractant, and separating the hydrocarbon material from the aqueous extractant to give a hydrocarbon material of reduced sulfur content. Optionally, the process may include a second and subsequent extractions with the aqueous extractant to further reduce sulfur content. A final extraction with an IL may be conducted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chemical compounds comprising a [Y(CHRa)n—CH(Ra)SO3]? anion, their preparation and application. The chemical compounds are preferably ionic liquids.

Abstract: An ionic liquid according to the invention is substantially halogen-free, has a low viscosity and is stable to hydrolytic degradation under test conditions. The ionic liquid is a compound of the formula (cation) (R?—O—SO3), (cation) (R?—SO3), or a mixture of the two compounds. It can be used in processes for the chemical conversion and separation of materials by employing the ionic liquid as a solvent, solvent additive, extraction agent or phase-transfer catalyst. It can also be used in a heat exchange device wherein the ionic liquid serves as a heat carrier or heat carrier additive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production and isolation of lactic acid which is produced by way of fermentation of a carbohydrate-bearing feedstock and the addition of ammonia. The lactic acid is released from the ammonium salt of the lactate by adding a mineral acid and the lactic acid isolation takes place by extraction with the aid of an alkylated amine. The extraction is preferably operated at a pH value of 4.0 to 2.0, thereby obtaining a multi-phase mixture which is split up. The phase thus obtained with the lactate salt of amine subsequently undergoes distillation, so that lactic acid is obtained as pure product or the phase with the lactate salt of amine are thermally decomposed, thereby producing an oligolactide that is distillable and thus yields a pure dilactide. The invention also encompasses a device suitable for the performance of the inventive process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for removing polarizable impurities from hydrocarbons and mixtures of hydrocarbons using ionic liquids as an extraction medium. By way of extraction, the degree of contamination of the hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons is reduced to a low or very low level. The specific ionic liquids are compounds of the Formula 1, which are organic salts that are liquid or can be melted to form a liquid and that can form at least a biphasic mixture with a hydrocarbon. The process is suitable for purifying a wide range of hydrocarbons under a wide range of process conditions.

Abstract: Low melting ionic compounds of the general formula (cation) (R?SO4) in which R? is a branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or alicyclic functionalized or non-functionalized hydrocarbon chain with 3-36 carbon atoms are provided. These compounds can serve as ionic liquids, e.g. as solvents or solvent additives in chemical reactions, as extraction agents or as heat carriers. The compounds comprise a cation and anionic sulfate ester.

Abstract: Low melting ionic compounds of the general formula (cation) (R?SO4) in which R? is a branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or alicyclic functionalized or non-functionalized hydrocarbon chain with 3-36 carbon atoms are provided. These compounds can serve as ionic liquids, e.g. as solvents or solvent additives in chemical reactions, as extraction agents or as heat carriers. The compounds comprise a cation and anionic sulfate ester.

Abstract: A working substance pairing comprising a working substance and an ionic liquid, its use in absorption heat pumps, absorption refrigeration machines and heat transformers and also corresponding apparatuses.

Abstract: Low melting ionic compounds of the general formula (cation) (R?SO4) in which R? is a branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or alicyclic functionalized or non-functionalized hydrocarbon chain with 3-36 carbon atoms are provided. These compounds can serve as ionic liquids, e.g. as solvents or solvent additives in chemical reactions, as extraction agents or as heat carriers. The compounds comprise a cation and anionic sulfate ester.

Abstract: The invention relates to chiral ionic liquids of the general formula [A]n+[Y]n?, whereby n=1 or 2, the anion [Y]n? is the anion of an organic or inorganic proton acid and the cation [A]+ an optically active organic ammonium cation with up to 50 carbon atoms, at least one chirality center and at least one functional group that can produce a coordination by forming hydrogen bridges or by providing free electron pairs. At least one chirality center is provided with a distance of up to 5 atomic bonds from the functional group. The invention also relates to a method for producing said chiral ionic liquids and to the use thereof in methods for the asymmetric synthesis, the asymmetric catalysis and for separating racemates.