Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a diaryl carbonate by transesterification of an aromatic alcohol with a dialkyl carbonate in the presence of a transesterification catalyst during a period of time [ta], in which the aryl moiety is selected from unsubstituted phenyl and mono-, di- and trisubstituted phenyl groups, in which the alkyl moiety is selected from C2 to C4 linear and branched alkyl groups, in which the catalyst concentration is designated [ca], expressed as gram catalyst per gram of aromatic alcohol and dialkyl carbonate, in which the period of time [tm] and catalyst concentration [cm] are determined to arrive at a pre-set approach to the equilibrium for the transesterification of the aromatic alcohol with dimethyl carbonate to methyl aryl carbonate and methanol, in which the product [ca]*ta is at least 1.5*[cm]*tm under otherwise the same reaction conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an alkanediol and a dialkyl carbonate comprising: (a) reacting an alkylene carbonate and an alkanol at a temperature of from 10 to 200° C., at a pressure of from 5×104 to 5×106 N/m2 and in the absence of a transesterification catalyst, to obtain a mixture comprising hydroxyalkyl alkyl carbonate, alkanol and alkylene carbonate; (b) contacting the mixture comprising hydroxyalkyl alkyl carbonate, alkanol and alkylene carbonate with a transesterification catalyst at a temperature of from 10 to 200° C. and at a pressure of from 5×104 to 5×106 N/m2, to obtain a mixture comprising the alkanediol and the dialkyl carbonate; and (c) recovering the alkanediol and the dialkyl carbonate from the mixture comprising the alkanediol and the dialkyl carbonate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a 1,2-alkylene diol and a dialkylcarbonate, comprising the steps of (i) contacting a 1,2-alkylene oxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a carbonation catalyst in a downflow jet reactor to obtain a reaction mixture containing a 1,2-alkylene carbonate, wherein the downflow jet reactor further comprises a deflection means situated in between the ejector means and the outlet means in the direction of the flow path of the gas/liquid mixture generated by the ejector means; (ii) contacting at least part of the reaction mixture obtained in step (i) with an alkanol to obtain a reaction mixture containing a 1,2-alkylene diol and a dialkylcarbonate; and (iii) recovering the 1,2-alkylene diol and the dialkylcarbonate from the reaction mixture obtained in step (ii).

Abstract: An alkanediol and a dialkyl carbonate are prepared in a process comprising: (a) contacting an alkylene carbonate with an alkanol feedstock under transesterification conditions in a reactive distillation zone to obtain a top stream comprising dialkyl carbonate and the alkanol and a bottom stream comprising an alkanediol; (b) separating the top stream comprising dialkyl carbonate and the alkanol into an alkanol-rich stream and a dialkyl carbonate-rich stream; (c) recovering the dialkyl carbonate from the dialkyl carbonate-rich stream; and (d) recycling at least part of the alkanol-rich stream to the reactive distillation zone as part of the alkanol feedstock, wherein the alkanol-rich stream is split in at least two portions, and at least one portion is condensed and freed from compounds with a lower boiling point than the alkanol. The process is especially suitable for the production of propylene glycol and dimethyl carbonate from propylene carbonate and methanol.

Abstract: Integrated separation and preparation process comprising a gas separation process wherein a first component is separated from a mixture of components by diffusion of the first component through a porous partition into a stream of sweeping component; and a preparation process wherein the sweeping component is used as feed. Separation unit and device for use in such a process and industrial set-up for use in such a process.

Abstract: An alkylene carbonate is produced by the reaction of an alkylene oxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a phosphonium compound as catalyst in a process in which (a) the alkylene oxide, carbon dioxide and the phosphonium catalyst are continuously introduced into a reaction zone from which a product stream containing alkylene carbonate and catalyst is withdrawn, (b) alkylene carbonate and a mixture of alkylene carbonate and phosphonium catalyst are separated from the product stream, (c) the alkylene carbonate, separated in step (b), is recovered as product, and (d) the mixture of alkylene carbonate and phosphonium catalyst is continuously recycled to the reaction zone. The alkylene carbonate thus produced is suitably reacted with an alkanol to produce an alkane diol and a dialkyl carbonate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a diaryl carbonate by transesterification of an aromatic alcohol with a dialkyl carbonate in the presence of a transesterification catalyst during a period of time [ta], in which the aryl moiety is selected from unsubstituted phenyl and mono-, di- and trisubstituted phenyl groups, in which the alkyl moiety is selected from C2 to C4 linear and branched alkyl groups, in which the catalyst concentration is designated [ca], expressed as gram catalyst per gram of aromatic alcohol and dialkyl carbonate, in which the period of time [tm] and catalyst concentration [cm] are determined to arrive at a pre-set approach to the equilibrium for the transesterification of the aromatic alcohol with dimethyl carbonate to methyl aryl carbonate and methanol, in which the product [ca]*ta is at least 1.5*[cm]*tm under otherwise the same reaction conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of alkanediol comprising the steps: (i) contacting alkylene oxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a carbonation catalyst to obtain a reaction mixture containing alkylene carbonate at a reaction temperature of from 100 to 200° C.

Abstract: An alkylene carbonate is produced by the reaction of an alkylene oxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a phosphonium catalyst in a process in which (a) the alkylene oxide, carbon dioxide and the phosphonium catalyst are continuously introduced into a reaction zone from which a product stream containing alkylene carbonate and used phosphonium catalyst is withdrawn, (b) alkylene carbonate and a stream containing used phosphonium catalyst are separated from the product stream, (c) the alkylene carbonate, separated in step (b), is recovered as product, (d) at least a part of the stream containing used phosphonium catalyst is subjected to purification, to obtain purified phosphonium catalyst, and (e) purified phosphonium catalyst is recycled to the reaction zone, optionally in combination with another part of the stream containing used phosphonium catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of alkanediol comprising the steps: (i) contacting alkylene oxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a carbonation catalyst to obtain a reaction mixture containing alkylene carbonate at a reaction temperature of from 100 to 200° C.

Abstract: An alkanediol and a dialkyl carbonate are prepared in a process comprising: (a) contacting an alkylene carbonate with an alkanol feedstock under transesterification conditions in a reactive distillation zone to obtain a top stream comprising dialkyl carbonate and the alkanol and a bottom stream comprising an alkanediol; (b) separating the top stream comprising dialkyl carbonate and the alkanol into an alkanol-rich stream and a dialkyl carbonate-rich stream; (c) recovering the dialkyl carbonate from the dialkyl carbonate-rich stream; and (d) recycling at least part of the alkanol-rich stream to the reactive distillation zone as part of the alkanol feedstock, wherein the alkanol-rich stream is split in at least two portions, and at least one portion is condensed and freed from compounds with a lower boiling point than the alkanol. The process is especially suitable for the production of propylene glycol and dimethyl carbonate from propylene carbonate and methanol.

Abstract: An alkylene carbonate and an alkanol are subjected to transesterification to yield a dialkyl carbonate and alkanediol in a process comprising (a) introducing the alkylene carbonate and an alkanol feedstock into a reaction zone to react in the presence of a transesterification catalyst to yield an alkanediol-rich stream and a stream comprising dialkyl carbonate and alkanol, which streams are separated; (b) passing the stream comprising dialkyl carbonate and alkanol to an extractive distillation zone in which an extractant is added to the stream; (c) obtaining from the extractive distillation zone an alkanol-rich vapor stream and a bottom stream containing the extractant and the dialkyl carbonate; (d) separating the bottom stream from step (c) in a second non-extractive distillation zone to yield a dialkyl carbonate-rich top stream and a extractant-rich bottom stream; and (e) at least partly recycling the extractant-rich bottom stream to the extractive distillation zone, wherein the extractant-rich bottom strea

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an alkanediol and a dialkyl carbonate is provided, which process comprises: (a) contacting an alkylene carbonate with an alkanol feedstock under transesterification conditions in a reactive distillation column to obtain an upwardly moving stream comprising dialkyl carbonate and the alkanol and a downwardly moving stream comprising the alkanediol; (b) recovering the alkanediol at the bottom of the column; (c) withdrawing a dialkyl carbonate- and alkanol-containing product stream at the upper part of the column, which upper part is below the top of the column; and (d) removing lower-boiling compounds at the top of the column.

Abstract: An integrated process for the preparation of a polyester resin, comprising the steps of (a) reacting an alkene with a suitable oxidant in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst to form an alkylene oxide, and (b) separating a crude alkylene oxide fraction comprising from 95% by weight to 99.95% by weight of alkylene oxide, and (c) reacting the crude alkylene oxide fraction with one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of dicarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acid anhydrides and polyhydric alcohols to obtain a polyester resin.

Abstract: An integrated process for the preparation of a polyester resin, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a suitable oxidant with propene in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst to form propylene oxide, (b) separating a propylene oxide fraction, and (c) reacting the obtained propylene oxide fraction with one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of dicarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acid anhydrides and polyhydric alcohols to obtain a polyester resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkanediol, which process involves (a) contacting alkylene oxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of catalyst to obtain a first liquid reaction mixture containing cyclic carbonate, (b) optionally removing carbon dioxide and/or alkylene oxide, (c) increasing the pressure of the liquid reaction mixture obtained in step (a) and/or (b), (d) contacting the pressurized first reaction mixture obtained in step (c) with water in the presence of catalyst to obtain a second reaction mixture containing alkanediol and carbon dioxide, (e) separating the second reaction mixture into a liquid effluent and a gaseous effluent containing carbon dioxide, and (f) recycling at least part of the gaseous effluent containing carbon dioxide to step (a),in which process the pressure in step (d) is higher than the pressure in step (a).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkanediol, which process involves (a) contacting alkylene oxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of catalyst to obtain a first liquid reaction mixture containing cyclic carbonate, (b) optionally removing carbon dioxide and/or alkylene oxide, (c) increasing the pressure of the liquid reaction mixture obtained in step (a) and/or (b), (d) contacting the pressurized first reaction mixture obtained in step (c) with water in the presence of catalyst to obtain a second reaction mixture containing alkanediol and carbon dioxide, (e) separating the second reaction mixture into a liquid effluent and a gaseous effluent containing carbon dioxide, and (f) recycling at least part of the gaseous effluent containing carbon dioxide to step (a),in which process the pressure in step (d) is higher than the pressure in step (a).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of propylene glycol from propylene oxide, which process involves:

Abstract: An emulsion of a copolymer of carbon monoxide with an olefinically unsaturated compound dispersed in an aqueous diluent; a curable resin composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a copolymer of carbon monoxide with an olefinically unsaturated compound and a curing agent; and a polymer which is produced by grafting a polymer comprising poly(ethene oxide) moiety in its molecular structure onto a copolymer of carbon monoxide with an olefinically compound.

Abstract: An emulsion of a copolymer of carbon monoxide with an olefinically unsaturated compound dispersed in an aqueous diluent; a curable resin composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a copolymer of carbon monoxide with an olefinically unsaturated compound and a curing agent; and a process for producing a laminated wood composite comprising applying said curable resin composition onto wood parts of the composite, bringing the wood parts of the composite together such that curable resin composition is positioned between adjacent wood parts, and curing the curable resin such that after curing cured resin adheres adjacent wood parts to one another.