Abstract: The invention relates to cells and a method for producing acetone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for preparing trimethylhexamethylenediamine, hereinafter referred to as TMD for short, by hydrogenation of trimethylhexamethylenedinitrile, hereinafter referred to as TMN for short, in the presence of a shaped hydrogenation catalyst of the Raney type.

Abstract: Low chlorine, multi-staged method for producing cycloaliphatic diisocyanates. The invention relates to a multi-staged method for the continuous low-chlorine production of cycloaliphatic diisocyanates, comprising the synthesis of diaminodipheynl alkanes, the hydration thereof into the corresponding cycloaliphatic diamines and the subsequent conversion of cycloaliphatic diamines to the corresponding cycloalkylene biscarbamates and the thermal cleaving of the latter into the cycloaliphatic diisocyanates and alcohol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing diaminodiphenyl alkanes, wherein an aromatic amine, which can be substituted or unsubstituted, is reacted with a C1-C3 aldehyde in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst, said catalyst being a mesoporous acidic ion exchanger based on a divinylbenzene/styrene copolymer and the catalyst having acid centers in a concentration of 2 to 6 eq/kg measured according to DIN 54 403 and the average pore diameter of the catalyst particles being 10 to 32 nm measured according to ASTM D 4222, and the content of polynuclear compounds in the reaction mixture being >10 and ?15% by weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing diaminodiphenyl alkanes, wherein an aromatic amine, which can be substituted or unsubstituted, is reacted with a C1-C3 aldehyde in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst, said catalyst being a mesoporous acidic ion exchanger based on a divinylbenzene/styrene copolymer and the catalyst having acid centers in a concentration of 4 to 6 eq/kg as measured according to DIN 54 403 and the average pore diameter of the catalyst particles being 10 to 32 nm as measured according to ASTM D 4222 10, and the content of polynuclear compounds in the reaction mixture being ?10% by weight.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for preparing acetone starting from acetyl-coenzyme A comprising process steps A. enzymatic conversion of acetyl-CoA into acetoacetyl-CoA B. enzymatic conversion of acetoacetyl-CoA into acetoacetate and CoA and C. decarboxylation of acetoacetate to acetone and CO2, which is characterized in that the coenzyme A is not transferred in process step B to an acceptor molecule. In addition, process step B is surprisingly catalysed by enzymes of the classes of acyl-CoA thioesterase, acyl-CoA synthetase or acyl-CoA thiokinase. A completely novel metabolic pathway is concerned, because the enzymatic hydrolysis of acetoacetyl-CoA without simultaneous transfer of CoA to a receptor molecule has never previously been described for any microbial enzyme.

Abstract: Process for preparing trimethylhexamethylenediamine The invention relates to an improved process for preparing trimethylhexamethylenediamine, hereinafter referred to as TMD for short, by hydrogenation of trimethylhexamethylenedinitrile, hereinafter referred to as TMN for short, in the presence of a shaped hydrogenation catalyst of the Raney type.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for preparing 3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylamine, referred to hereinafter as isophoronediamine or IPD for short, by aminating hydrogenation of 3-cyano-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexanone, referred to hereinafter as isophoronenitrile or IPN for short, in the presence of a shaped Raney hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-stage process for the continuous, phosgene-free preparation of (cyclo)aliphatic diisocyanates that comprises the conversion of (cyclo)aliphatic diamines into the corresponding (cyclo)alkylene biscarbamates and the thermal cleaving of the latter into the (cyclo)alkylene diisocyanates and alcohol. The urea used in accordance with the invention and also the urea employed for the preparation of urea equivalents (e.g. alkyl carbonates, alkyl carbamates) as a possible precursor for the synthesis of the (cyclo)aliphatic biscarbamates is unconditioned.

Abstract: A reactor, which is capable of accommodating a reaction in which at least three phases are present and at least one gaseous starting material and at least one liquid starting material are reacted in cocurrent over a fixed-bed catalyst to give one or more product(s), contains at least one first zone in which a catalyst is present as a fixed bed; and at least one second zone whose size corresponds to a reactor cross section and which is separated from the at least one first zone by a distributor plate provided with at least one hole and in which at least one liquid and at least one gaseous starting material enter the reactor. The distributor plate is provided with at least one static mixer which is located in the at least one hole on at least one side of the distributor plate.

Abstract: Isobutene is prepared by dissociating tert-butanol into isobutene and water over an acid ion-exchange resin arranged as a fixed bed in at least one reactor at a temperature of from 80 to 150° C. and at a pressure of from 5 to 25 bar to obtain a reaction mixture, separating the reaction mixture into isobutene, a by-product, water and at least one mixture of undissociated tert-butanol and water. The reactor is operated pseudo-isothermally, with a temperature difference between inflowing and outflowing streams of less than 15 K.

Abstract: A reactor, which is capable of accommodating a reaction in which at least three phases are present and at least one gaseous starting material and at least one liquid starting material are reacted in cocurrent over a fixed-bed catalyst to give one or more product(s), contains at least one first zone in which a catalyst is present as a fixed bed; and at least one second zone whose size corresponds to a reactor cross section and which is separated from the at least one first zone by a distributor plate provided with at least one hole and in which at least one liquid and at least one gaseous starting material enter the reactor. The distributor plate is provided with at least one static mixer which is located in the at least one hole on at least one side of the distributor plate.

Abstract: Isobutene is prepared by dissociating tert-butanol into isobutene and water over an acid ion-exchange resin arranged as a fixed bed in at least one reactor at a temperature of from 80 to 150° C. and at a pressure of from 5 to 25 bar to obtain a reaction mixture, separating the reaction mixture into isobutene, a by-product, water and at least one mixture of undissociated tert-butanol and water. The reactor is operated pseudo-isothermally, with a temperature difference between inflowing and outflowing streams of less than 15 K.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously preparing substantially halogen-free, in particular chlorine-free, trialkoxysilanes of the general formula I (RO)3SiH  (I) in which R is an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, has a main reactor unit (1), at least one metering unit (2, 3, 4) for liquids and/or suspensions, located upstream of the main reactor, and at least one metering unit (5) for gaseous and/or vaporous substances, and also a product workup unit (6) located downstream of the main reactor. A process for preparing substantially halogen-free trialkoxysilanes of the general formula I in which silicon is reacted with alcohols in an inert solvent utilizes at least one organocopper compound catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process, which includes: contacting at least one C4-hydrocarbon stream which includes isobutene with methanol over at least one acid catalyst and preparing methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and a substantially isobutene-free C4-hydrocarbon mixture; wherein in a first stage in one or more first reactors, the isobutene reacts with the methanol over an acid catalyst to form an equilibrium mixture which includes MTBE, remaining isobutene and methanol; the equilibrium mixture is fed to a second stage which includes a reactive distillation column; and in the reactive distillation column, the remaining isobutene reacts with methanol over an acid ion exchange resin to form MTBE; wherein the reactive distillation column is operated at a pressure ranging from 3 to 15 bar abs., a reaction zone temperature ranging from 55° C. to 75° C., and a reflux ratio of less than 1.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing a cycloalkane, includes contacting a gas with a starting mixture, to form a product mixture, where the starting mixture contains (i) a cycloalkane, (ii) boric acid, and (iii) cobalt. The gas contains oxygen, the cycloalkane has 9 to 16 carbon atoms, and the product mixture contains a cyclic alcohol. The reactor output is increased by adding the cobalt salt, so that it is possible to lower the temperature, which decreases the rate of parallel and secondary reactions.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously preparing substantially halogen-free, in particular chlorine-free, trialkoxysilanes of the general formula I

Abstract: The present invention provides a process, which includes:

Abstract: A process for oxidizing a cycloalkane, includes contacting a gas with a starting mixture, to form a product mixture, where the starting mixture contains (i) a cycloalkane, (ii) boric acid, and (iii) cobalt. The gas contains oxygen, the cycloalkane has 9 to 16 carbon atoms, and the product mixture contains a cyclic alcohol. The reactor output is increased by adding the cobalt salt, so that it is possible to lower the temperature, which decreases the rate of parallel and secondary reactions.

Abstract: A process for the removal of ethers and/or PAH's from water, such as contaminated groundwater, is provided that proceeds by initially separating off solid constituents and then adsorbing ethers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to an adsorber resin, then, as needed, desorbing the adsorbed compounds with steam and regenerating the adsorber resin with an acid, to provide purification of highly polluted groundwater to such a substantial extent that the groundwater can be added to flowing surface waters without problem, and, if desired, used as cooling water or, after further biological purification, as drinking water.