Abstract: Toluenediamine is produced and separated from by-products of the reaction by: a) hydrogenating dinitrotoluene in the presence of a catalyst, b) separating the catalyst, water and optionally solvent from the hydrogenation reaction mixture to give crude toluenediamine, and c) separating by distillation the crude toluenediamine in a separating wall column into at least four product streams P1, P2, P3 and P4. The product stream P1 is a stream containing low boilers. The product stream P2 is a stream containing o-toluenediamine. The product stream P3 is a stream containing m-toluenediamine. The product stream P4 is a stream containing high boilers and m-toluenediamine.

Abstract: A process for the coupled production of chlorine and isocyanates in which the sulfuric acid used for both processes is combined after use, concentrated together and returned to one or both processes.

Abstract: Toluenediamine is produced and separated from by-products of the reaction by: a) hydrogenating dinitrotoluene in the presence of a catalyst, b) separating the catalyst, water and optionally solvent from the hydrogenation reaction mixture to give crude toluenediamine, and c) separating by distillation the crude toluenediamine in a separating wall column into at least four product streams P1, P2, P3 and P4. The product stream P1 is a stream containing low boilers. The product stream P2 is a stream containing o-toluenediamine. The product stream P3 is a stream containing m-toluenediamine. The product stream P4 is a stream containing high boilers and m-toluenediamine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the isothermal nitration of aromatic organic compounds, wherein an aromatic organic compound is brought into contact and reacted with a mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. The mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid, and the aromatic organic compound are brought into contact with each other through a mixing nozzle which comprises a substantially cylindrical tubular reactor and an annular gap which surrounds the tubular reactor. The aromatic organic compound flows through the tubular reactor, and the mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid flows through the annular gap, and they are mixed together upon emerging from the tubular reactor and the annular gap, wherein the ratio of the average rates of flow of the aromatic organic compound in the tubular reactor, and of the mixture of sulphuric acid and nitric acid in the annular gap ranges from 0.5:1 to 10:1.

Abstract: Raney nickel catalysts obtainable by a process in which the melt of an alloy comprising 50 to 94 wt. % aluminum, 10 to 50 wt. % nickel, 0 to 20 wt. % iron, 0 to 15 wt. % cerium, cerium mixed metal, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum or manganese and, optionally, further glass-forming elements is allowed to solidify rapidly with a cooling rate of >104 K/s and the rapidly solidified alloy is then subjected to a treatment with organic or inorganic bases are described. A process for the preparation of the Raney nickel catalysts mentioned and their use in the hydrogenation of organic compounds, in particular aromatic nitro compounds, are furthermore described.

Abstract: Hydroxymethyl-cyclopropane (cyclopropyl-methanol) can be obtained in a manner which is both economical and environment-friendly by catalytic hydrogenation of cyclopropanecarboxylic acid alkyl esters under increased pressure at elevated temperature if a chromium-free zinc oxide catalyst is employed as the catalyst.

Abstract: New hydrated niobium oxide and hydrated tantalum oxide catalysts containing pores having diameters in the range from 0.4 to 10,000 nm are characterized in that the volume of the pores of the catalyst having a diameter of from 100 to 1000 nm is at least 30% of the total pore volume of the catalyst. The catalysts can be prepared by mixing hydrated niobium oxide or hydrated tantalum oxide with an inert solid and converting this mixture into a solid pellet form, with the pressure in the apparatus for preparing catalysts in pellet form being set in such a way that the volume of the pores of the catalyst having a diameter of from 100 to 1000 nm is at least 30% of the total pore volume of the catalyst. Such catalysts are particularly suitable for preparing N-alkylanilines from anilines and alkanols.

Abstract: Dimethyl carbonate is obtained with a high selectivity and great constancy over time by reacting carbon monoxide with methyl nitrite in a continuous gas phase reaction in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst prepared by the application to a suitable support of one or more palladium compounds of the formula[Pd(N(R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3)).sub.n ]X.sup.1.sub.2 (I) ,wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, X.sup.1 and n are as defined in the disclosure, optionally in combination with one or more promoters from the group consisting of the elements Fe, Co, Ni, V, Nb, Mo, Ta, Ti, Cu and Cr, the rare earths and/or compounds thereof, and/or with one or more promoters from the group consisting of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal halides.