Abstract: 1,6-Hexanediol is prepared from a carboxylic acid mixture comprising adipic acid, 6-hydroxycaproic acid and small amounts of 1,4-cyclohexanediols which is obtained as a by-product in the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol by water extraction of the reaction mixture, by esterification of the acids and hydrogenation whereina) the monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids present in the aqueous dicarboxylic acid mixture are reacted with a low molecular weight alcohol to give the corresponding carboxylic esters,b) the resulting esterification mixture is freed of excess alcohol and low boilers in a first distillation stage,c) the bottoms are fractionated in a second distillation stage to give an ester fraction essentially free of 1,4-cyclohexanediols and a fraction comprising at least the major part of the 1,4-cyclohexanediols,d) the ester fraction essentially free of 1,4-cyclohexanediols is catalytically hydrogenated ande) in a pure distillation stage, 1,6-hexanediol is isolated from the hydrogena

Abstract: 1,6-hexanediol and .epsilon.-caprolactone are prepared from a carboxylic acid mixture comprising adipic acid, 6-hydroxycaproic acid and small amounts of 1,4-cyclohexanediols which is obtained as a by-product in the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol using oxygen or oxygen-containing gases by water extraction of the reaction mixture, by esterifying and hydrogenating a substream to give hexanediol and cyclizing 6-hydroxycaproic esters to give caprolactone.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid from esters of the formula I ##STR1## and in case from esters of the formula (II) ##STR2## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or --CH.sub.3,R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, andn is an integer >0,in the liquid phase and in the presence of an acid at reduced pressure and with continuous removal of the cleavage products.

Abstract: The continuous esterification of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkanol with (meth)acrylic acid in a molar ratio of from 1:1 to 2:1 in the presence of proton-donating catalysts in a homogeneous, liquid, solvent-free phase, in which the water of reaction and resulting alkyl (meth)acrylate are separated off continuously as part of an aqueous azeotropic mixture via the top of a rectification zone attached to the reaction zone, at a top pressure of from 0.1 to 1 atm, and worked up to give pure (meth)acrylate, is carried out by a process wherein the reaction temperature is from 100.degree. to 150.degree. C., the residence time is from 1 to 5 hours and from 5 to 20% by weight, based on the amount of reaction mixture, of sulfuric acid or an equimolar amount, based on such an amount of sulfuric acid, of an organic sulfonic acid is added as a protic acid catalyst to the reaction mixture present in the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for preparing essentially pure 3-chlorophthalic anhydride from a mixture in which 3-chlorophthalic anhydride is present in addition to 4,5-dichlorophthalic anhydride, which involves first distilling off a mixture of 3-chlorophthalic anhydride and 4,5-dichlorophthalic anhydride, so that the obtained bottoms is essentially free of 4,5-dichlorophthalic anhydride, and then by distillation of the obtained bottoms, recovering 3-chlorophthalic anhydride in a second distillation step. The starting mixture is preferably prepared without solvent in a melt by incomplete chlorination of phthalic anhydride using FeCl.sub.3 as a catalyst.

Abstract: Device for storing radioactive material in a building, including a building wall defining an interior of the building, heat pipes being disposed in the wall and having heat exchange surfaces including a part thereof disposed outside the building for giving off heat absorbed in the interior of the building to the air through the part of the heat exchange surfaces outside the building, cooling jackets surrounding the heat exchange surfaces at least in the vicinity of the wall, and a cooling loop for circulating coolant being connected to the cooling jackets for heat recovery.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of o-benzyltoluenes by reaction of o-xylyl halides with benzenes in the presence of sulfuric acid or in the presence of phosphoric acid and adjuvants or in the presence of sulfuric acid and adjuvants. The products are starting materials for the manufacture of anthracene and anthraquinone and their derivatives.

Abstract: Manufacture of 1-alkyl-3-(monohalogeno)-phenylindans and dihalogeno-1-methyl-3-phenylindans by reaction of halogenostyrene and styrene in the presence of phosphoric acid of a certain concentration, or by reaction of halogenostyrenes in the presence of phosphoric acid of a certain concentration and of organic compounds irradiated with light of 2,000 to 8,000 A and capable of absorbing the said light, and the new dihalogeno-1-methyl-3-phenylindans and 1-methyl-3-(monohalogeno)-phenylindans. The products are starting materials for the manufacture of dyes and pesticides.