Abstract: Transition metals may be recovered from a salt-containing mixture containing at least one transition metal compound, salts, and organic compounds by separating from the salt-containing mixture a mixture of the transition metal compound and the salts. This mixture, together with any organic impurities, is introduced into a combustion zone, and the flue gas/salt mixture leaving the combustion zone is quenched with water. The combustion residue, containing the transition metal, is separated from the resulting quench solution, dried, and converted to fresh catalyst.

Abstract: An acetal or a ketal are prepared by reacting a carbonyl compound and an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst and water. Water and alcohol are removed from the reaction mixture in an at least two-stage pervaporation or vapor permeation process using a plurality of membranes. Additional alcohol is fed into a retentate stream of at least one of the two stages. At least one of the plurality of membranes in the two-stage pervaporation or vapor permeation process is different from the other membranes in terms of selectivity behavior in the removal of water and alcohol.

Abstract: A process for preparing malonic diesters by carbonylation of haloacetic esters and reaction with monohydric alcohols and a base in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, preferably a catalytic cobalt carbonyl complex, using a stirred reactor with one or more internal heat exchangers. The stirred reactor preferably contains a sparging stirrer.

Abstract: A process for preparing amino derivatives of C—H-acid compounds of the general formula I where R is an alkyl group, a cycloaliphatic radical, an aryl radical, an alkylaryl radical or an aralkyl radical, and X1 and X2 are identical or different electron-withdrawing groups, by reacting compounds of the general formula II with nitrous acid, where the nitrosation is carried out in the presence of from 1 to 10 mol of a carboxylic anhydride, and the reaction product is subjected to catalytic hydrogenation, where appropriate after removing the salts derived from the reaction. Compounds of the general formula I are useful intermediates for compounds which can be used in the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors.

Abstract: Substituted propenoates are prepared by eliminating an alcohol from a substituted malondialdehyde acetal, optionally in the presence of a homogeneous or heterogeneous catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a 2-methyl-1,3-dicarboxylate by reaction of a 1,3-dicarboxylate with formaldehyde and hydrogen, where, based on 1 mol of dicarboxylate, from 1.0 to 2.0 mol of formaldehyde are used, and either the reaction mixture or 2-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-1,3-dicarboxylate isolated therefrom as by-product are subjected to thermolysis at temperatures of from 50° C. to 300° C.

Abstract: A process directed to the preparation of acetals of malondialdehyde by reacting alkylvinyl ethers or esters with ortho formates in the gas phase with a heterogeneous catalyst.

Abstract: A process directed to the preparation of 2-substituted and 2,2-disubstituted acetals of malondialdehyde from ortho formates and substituted vinyl ethers in the presence of an acidic catalyst.

Abstract: A process directed to the preparation of 2-substituted and 2,2-disubstituted acetals of malondialdehyde from ortho formates and substituted vinyl ethers in the presence of an acidic catalyst.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of malondialdehyde-derivatives by reacting vinylesters with orthoesters in the presence of a precious metal catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a 2-methyl-1,3-dicarboxylate by reaction of a 1,3-dicarboxylate with formaldehyde and hydrogen, where, based on 1 mol of dicarboxylate, from 1.0 to 2.0 mol of formaldehyde are used, and either the reaction mixture or 2-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-1,3-dicarboxylate isolated therefrom as by-product are subjected to thermolysis at temperatures of from 50° C. to 300° C.

Abstract: A process for preparing malonic diesters by carbonylation of haloacetic esters and reaction with monohydric alcohols and a base in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, preferably a catalytic cobalt carbonyl complex, using a stirred reactor with one or more internal heat exchangers. The stirred reactor preferably contains a sparging stirrer.

Abstract: Transition metals may be recovered from a salt-containing mixture containing at least one transition metal compound, salts, and organic compounds by separating from the salt-containing mixture a mixture of the transition metal compound and the salts. This mixture, together with any organic impurities, is introduced into a combustion zone, and the flue gas/salt mixture leaving the combustion zone is quenched with water. The combustion residue, containing the transition metal, is separated from the resulting quench solution, dried, and converted to fresh catalyst.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of heterocycles by reacting 2-substituted acetals of malondialdehyde with a reactant selected from hydroxylamines and their salts, hydrazines and their salts, formamid, amidines and their salts, guanidines and their salts, aminoguanidines and their salts, nitroguanidine and their salts, O-alkyl-isoureas and their salts, O-cycloalkyl-isoureas and their salts, O-aralkyl-isoureas and their salts, O-aryl-isoureas and their salts, S-alkyl-isothioureas, S-cycloalkyl-isothioureas, S-aralkyl-isothioureas, S-arylisothioureas, S-alkyl-isothiouronium salts, S-cycloalkyl-isothiouronium salts, S-aralkyl-isothiouronium salts, S-aryl-isothiuronium salts, thiourea and urea.

Abstract: A method for preparing 1,3-dioxane compounds of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, independently of one another, represent hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical; and X.sup.1 and X.sup.2, independently of one another, represent an electronegative groups, which method entails reacting a bis(hydroxymethyl) compound of the formula (II): ##STR2## in which X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 each, independently of one another, are as defined above, with an orthocarboxylic acid ester of the formula R.sup.4 --C(OR.sup.5).sub.3 (III), in which R.sup.4 represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical and R.sup.5 represents a hydrocarbon radical, and with an aldehyde or ketone of the formula R.sup.1 --CO--R.sup.2 (IV), in which R and R each, independently of one another, are as defined above.

Abstract: A process for preparing bis(hydroxymethyl) compounds of the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 represent identical or different electronegative groups, which process entails reacting C--H-acidic compounds of the formula (II) ##STR2## wherein X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are as defined above, with formaldehyde, wherein the reaction is carried out in an anhydrous medium.

Abstract: A process for nitrosating C-H-acidic compounds. The process substantially avoids producing polluted wastewater.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of aminomalonic acid esters and optionally their salts by the catalytic hydrogenation of a substituted malonic acid ester in an inert solvent, and optionally by the addition of an acid to the hydrogenation mixture. The process comprises carrying out the hydrogenation in the presence of a solid dehydrating agent and a solvent or solvent mixture in which the aminomalonic acid ester salt is substantially insoluble.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of aminoacetic acids or aminoacetonitriles with a tertiary hydrocarbon radical in the .alpha.-position in which monoamide derivatives of malonic acid are subjected to a Hofmann rearrangement.

Abstract: Compositions of matter, sheet material, and packages made therefrom. Novel compositions of polypropylene and high density polyethylene are useful as sealant materials for flexible sheet material structures wherein the sheet material is sealable to a preformed container, to form a lid therefor, and is peelable therefrom, with cohesive failure of the sealant layer in the area of the formed seal. The novel sealant layer compositions provided for package closure and sealing which is capable of withstanding retort conditions while maintaining the integrity of the package closure and seal. Concurrently the lid is readily peeled from the package to provide access to the interior of the package. The peelability comprises cohesive failure of the sealant material in a novel blend of a polypropylene polymer with an ethylene polymer having a density of at least 0.940.