Abstract: A method of reducing color in an alkanolamine is described. The method includes contacting the alkanolamine with a color-reducing amount of a borane complex effective to provide a color-reduced alkanolamine composition having a Platinum-Cobalt Color Value, according to Test Method ASTM D1209, of less than 50.

Abstract: A method of reducing color in an alkanolamine, the method comprising: contacting the alkanolamine with an amount of an aqueous solution effective to provide 5 to 1000 parts per million by weight of an alkali metal borohydride, based on parts by weight of the alkanolamine; and 0.5 to 10,000 parts per million by weight of an alkali metal hydroxide, based on parts by weight of the alkanolamine; preferably wherein the color-reduced alkanolamine is not distilled after the contacting.

Abstract: A method of preparing a mono(C4-32 hydrocarbyl) ester of a mono(C1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol by contacting a C1-4 alcohol and an alkylene oxide comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing under conditions effective to provide a first mono(C1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol having a first average degree of polymerization; contacting the first mono(C1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol and the alkylene oxide under conditions effective to provide a second mono(C1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol having a second average degree of polymerization that is higher than the first average degree of polymerization; and contacting the second (C1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol and a C4-32 carboxylic acid to provide the mono(CC4-32 hydrocarbyl) ester of a mono(C1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol.

Abstract: A method of reducing color in an alkanolamine, the method comprising: contacting the alkanolamine with an amount of an aqueous solution effective to provide 5 to 1000 parts per million by weight of an alkali metal borohydride, based on parts by weight of the alkanolamine; and 0.5 to 10,000 parts per million by weight of an alkali metal hydroxide, based on parts by weight of the alkanolamine; preferably wherein the color-reduced alkanolamine is not distilled after the contacting.

Abstract: A method of reducing color in an alkanolamine, the method comprising: contacting the alkanolamine with an amount of an aqueous solution effective to provide 5 to 1000 parts per million by weight of an alkali metal borohydride, based on parts by weight of the alkanolamine; and 0.5 to 10,000 parts per million by weight of an alkali metal hydroxide, based on parts by weight of the alkanolamine; preferably wherein the color-reduced alkanolamine is not distilled after the contacting.

Abstract: A method for purifying acetone includes contacting an initial solution with a basic ion-exchange resin at a temperature of 15° C. to 30° C., wherein the initial solution comprises acetone and acetone impurities; and removing the acetone impurities from the initial solution with the basic ion-exchange resin to produce a purified solution.

Abstract: A method of preparing a mono(C4-32 hydrocarbyl) ester of a mono(C1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol, the method comprising: contacting a C1-4 alcohol and an alkylene oxide comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing under conditions effective to provide a first mono(C1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol having a first average degree of polymerization; contacting the first mono(C1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol and the alkylene oxide under conditions effective to provide a second mono(C1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol having a second average degree of polymerization that is higher than the first average degree of polymerization; and contacting the second (C1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol and a C4-32 carboxylic acid to provide the mono(CC4-32 hydrocarbyl) ester of a mono(C1-4 alkyl)polyoxyalkylene glycol.

Abstract: A method of reducing color in an alkanolamine is described. The method includes contacting the alkanolamine with a color-reducing amount of a borane complex effective to provide a color-reduced alkanolamine composition having a Platinum-Cobalt Color Value, according to Test Method ASTM D1209, of less than 50.

Abstract: A method for purifying acetone includes contacting an initial solution with a basic ion-exchange resin at a temperature of 15° C. to 30° C., wherein the initial solution comprises acetone and acetone impurities; and removing the acetone impurities from the initial solution with the basic ion-exchange resin to produce a purified solution.

Abstract: A method of reducing color in an alkanolamine is described. The method includes contacting the alkanolamine with a color-reducing amount of a borane complex effective to provide a color-reduced alkanolamine composition having a Platinum-Cobalt Color Value, according to Test Method ASTM D1209, of less than 50.

Abstract: A method of reducing color in an alkanolamine is described. The method includes contacting the alkanolamine with a color-reducing amount of a borane complex effective to provide a color-reduced alkanolamine composition having a Platinum-Cobalt Color Value, according to Test Method ASTM D1209, of less than 50.

Abstract: A method of reducing color in an alkanolamine, the method comprising: contacting the alkanolamine with an amount of an aqueous solution effective to provide 5 to 1000 parts per million by weight of an alkali metal borohydride, based on parts by weight of the alkanolamine; and 0.5 to 10,000 parts per million by weight of an alkali metal hydroxide, based on parts by weight of the alkanolamine; preferably wherein the color-reduced alkanolamine is not distilled after the contacting.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for the simultaneous production of oxo-alcohols comprising n-butanol, isobutanol, and 2-ethylhexanol. Also disclosed are methods and systems for simultaneous production of plasticizers using the disclosed oxo-alcohols.

Abstract: A method of producing an aromatic chemical, comprises: providing a feedstock comprising biomass to a first reactor to produce a first product stream, wherein the first product stream comprises methane and carbon dioxide; combining the first product stream with a recycle stream to form a second reactor feed stream; passing the second reactor feed stream through a second reactor to produce a second product stream comprising aromatics and hydrogen gas; recovering aromatics from the second product stream to create a recovery stream depleted of aromatics; combining the recovery stream with a stream comprising carbon dioxide to form a combined recovery stream; passing the combined recovery stream to a third reactor to produce the recycle stream comprising gas; and forming an aromatic chemical from the second product stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for the simultaneous production of oxo-alcohols comprising n-butanol, isobutanol, and 2-ethylhexanol. Also disclosed are methods and systems for simultaneous production of plasticizers using the disclosed oxo-alcohols.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a compound represented by the formula 1 which compound may optionally be further mono- or di- substituted with halogen atoms, alkyl groups having 1 to 4 C— atoms and/or alkoxy groups having 1 to 4 C— atoms, wherein R is methyl or ethyl group, comprising the step of: contacting a corresponding compound represented by the formula 2 which compound is not further substituted or further mono- or di- substituted in corresponding positions with halogen atoms, alkyl groups having 1 to 4 C— atoms and/or alkoxy groups having a to 4 C-atoms, with an alkylating agent, wherein the alkylating agent is a compound of the formula (RO)2SO2 or RX, wherein R has the above meaning and X is halogen, in the presence of a bis-quaternary ammonium salt or a polymeric quaternary ammonium salt, in a two-phase system of an aqueous solution of a base and an organic solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a compound represented by the formula 1 which compound may optionally be further mono- or di- substituted with halogen atoms, alkyl groups having 1 to 4 C- atoms and/or alkoxy groups having 1 to 4 C- atoms, wherein R is methyl or ethyl group, comprising the step of: contacting a corresponding compound represented by the formula 2 which compound is not further substituted or further mono- or di- substituted in corresponding positions with halogen atoms, alkyl groups having 1 to 4 C- atoms and/or alkoxy groups having a to 4 C- atoms, with an alkylating agent, wherein the alkylating agent is a compound of the formula (RO)2SO2 or RX, wherein R has the above meaning and X is halogen, in the presence of a bis-quaternary ammonium salt or a polymeric quaternary ammonium salt, in a two-phase system of an aqueous solution of a base and an organic solvent.