Abstract: In a process for the preparation of copolymers of tetrahydrofuran and but-2-yne-1,4-diol by catalytic polymerization of tetrahydrofuran, the polymerization is carried out over a heterogeneous acidic catalyst which has acid centers of acidity pK.sub.a <+2 in a concentration of at least 0.005 mmol/g of catalyst, in the presence of but-2-yne-1,4-diol. In particular, for the preparation of polyoxytetramethylene glycol, the copolymers are reacted in the presence of hydrogen over a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: Tetrahydrofuran/but-2-yne-1,4-diol copolymers containing C--C triple bonds and having an average molecular weight M.sub.n of from 500 to 3500 Dalton and a content of from 0.5 to 3 mol of triple bonds/mol of copolymer and blends of these copolymers with polytetrahydrofuran having an average molecular weight M.sub.n of from 500 to 3500 Dalton, processes for their preparation and their use.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polytetrahydrofuran or polytetrahydrofuran monoesters of C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 monocarboxylic acids by the polymerization of tetrahydrofuran over a heterogeneous catalyst in the presence of one of the telogens water, 1,4-butanediol or polytetrahydrofuran having a molecular weight of from 200 to 700 dalton or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 monocarboxylic acid or mixtures of these telogens, wherein a supported catalyst is used as catalyst, which contains a catalytically active amount of an oxygen-containing tungsten or molybdenum compound or mixtures of these compounds on an oxidic support material and which was calcined at temperatures ranging from 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. following the application of the precursor compounds of said oxygen-containing molybdenum and/or tungsten compounds to the support material precursor.

Abstract: .beta.-Dicarbonyl and .beta.-cyanocarbonyl compounds ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is alkyl of 1-20 carbons, X is --COR.sup.2, Y is --COOR.sup.3, --COR.sup.3 or --CN, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkyl, are prepared from R.sup.1 --CHO (II) and X--CH.sub.2 --Y (III) by reaction in the presence of a condensation catalyst, hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst, using an oxide or phosphate of Mg, Al, Ti, Zn or a rare earth metal as the condensation catalyst.

Abstract: Morpholine and other cyclic imines are obtained by reacting diethylene glycol and other appropriate diols with ammonia under hydrogenating conditions in the gas phase in the presence of a catalyst which contains copper, a smaller amount of nickel and alumina.

Abstract: New substituted .beta.-triazolyl oximes, processes for their manufacture, agents for regulating plant growth containing these compounds, and a process for regulating plant growth with these compounds.

Abstract: .beta.-Dicarbonyl, .beta.-cyanocarbonyl and .beta.-dicyano compounds I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is an organic radical, X and Y are COOR.sup.2, --CO--R.sup.2 or --CN and R.sup.2 is an organic radical, are prepared from R.sup.1 --CHO (II) and X--CH.sub.2 --Y (III) by reaction in the presence of a condensation catalyst, hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst, using an oxide or phosphate of Mg, Al, Ti, Zn or a rare earth metal as the condensation catalyst.

Abstract: .alpha.-Neopentyl-phenethyltriazoles of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1, m and A have the meanings given in the description, processes for their preparation, and their use for controlling fungi.

Abstract: 3-Formyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran is prepared by conversion of acrolein in the presence of water, acids and halohydrocarbons of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and 1 to 6 halogen atoms as solvents at from 60.degree. to 150.degree. C. The 3-formyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran obtained by the novel process is a valuable starting material for the preparation of dyes and crop protection agents.

Abstract: A pyridine or a pyrrole is obtained in a one-stage process directly from an .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile of appropriate carbon skeleton when the dinitrile is reacted in the gas phase with hydrogen, over a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of .alpha.-methylsubstituted ketones by reacting the corresponding non-methylsubstituted ketones with formaldehyde under hydrogenating conditions. The reaction proceeds easily and with good yields if a catalyst containing metallic palladium deposited on a zirconium, hafnium, titanium or tin phosphate is used. The products are valuable intermediates for the preparation of dyes, crop protection agents or drugs.

Abstract: Agents for regulating plant growth containing ketone derivatives bearing an azolyl radical in the .beta.-position to the keto group, and a process for regulating plant growth with these compounds.

Abstract: A process for removing formaldehyde from aqueous solutions of but-2-yne-1,4-diol by treating the solutions with an alkaline agent at an elevated temperature in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: New .gamma.-azolyl compounds, especially ethers, esters and carbamates, processes for their manufacture, agents for influencing plant growth which contain these compounds as active ingredients, and processes for regulating plant growth with these compounds.

Abstract: Saturated aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and araliphatic aldehydes are prepared by selective hydrogenation of the corresponding olefinically unsaturated aldehydes with hydrogen in the liquid phase over a palladium-containing catalyst, using a catalyst system in which the active constituents are from 2 to 90% by weight of palladium and from 10 to 98% by weight of an oxide or a salt of a rare earth metal or of a mixture of different oxides and/or salts of this type.

Abstract: Aliphatic carbonyl compounds are prepared by an aldol condensation of carbonyl compounds R.sup.1 --CH.sub.2 --CO--R.sup.2 (I; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 =H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkyl) in the presence of hydrogen and of a catalyst which has both condensing and hydrogenating properties, by using a catalyst system wherein the active components are from 1 to 90 percent by weight of a noble metal of group VIII of the periodic table and from 10 to 99 percent by weight of an oxide or salt of a rare earth metal, or of a mixture of different oxides and/or salts of rare earth metals.

Abstract: Aldehydes or ketones of not less than 4 or 5 carbon atoms, respectively, are manufactured in a one stage process in the liquid phase by subjecting aldehydes and/or ketones of not less than 2 or 3 carbon atoms, respectively, to an aldol condensation and hydrogenating the resulting olefinically unsaturated aldehyde, the catalyst used for the aldol condensation and hydrogenation containing a mixture of nickel and cobalt, zinc oxide and at least one of the elements iron, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, gallium, indium, thallium, germanium, tin, lead, cadmium and mercury or compounds of the said elements.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of higher ketones by reacting an aldehyde with a ketone in the presence of hydrogen over a catalyst system which contains, firstly, oxides or salts of the rare earth metals and, secondly, metals of group VIII of the periodic table of the elements. The process gives numerous higher ketones, required, for example, as solvents for surface coatings, or as scents, with high conversions and good selectivities, and therefore more simply and more economically than conventional methods.