Abstract: An amine is prepared by cleaving a carbamate of the formula I wherein R1=hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or phenyl group, R2=alkyl, aryl or phenyl group, wherein R1 and R2 are independently substituted or unsubstituted, wherein the cleaving of the carbamate is performed in the presence of an acid of the formula II wherein R3, R4 and R5 are independently alkyl or phenyl group, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are the same or different.

Abstract: A process for preparing diols or triols made up of a1) reacting at least one monoolefin having 4 to 20 carbon atoms with hydrogen peroxide and formic acid in the presence of water to form a mixture or a2) reacting at least one monoolefin alcohol having 4 to 20 carbon atoms first with formic acid, and then reacting the product formed thereby with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of water to form a mixture, b) removing, by distillation, the water and formic acid from the mixture obtained in a1) or a2), c) reacting the mixture obtained from b) with an aliphatic alcohol in the presence of a sulfonic acid to form the diol or triol and at least one formic ester by-product, and d) optionally removing, by distillation, the at least one formic ester by-product formed together with any residual at least one aliphatic C1-C4-alcohol to isolate the diol or triol.

Abstract: A process for isolating purified 2-methoxypropene from a mixture which comprises 2,2-dimethoxypropane, 2-methoxypropene, methanol, acetone, and optionally other carbonyl group-containing compounds, which process involves subjecting the mixture to distillation, adding 2-aminoethanol and at least one base as assistants in the distillation, and isolating purified 2-methoxypropene.

Abstract: A salt-free process for preparing cyclobutanone, including isomerizing cyclopropylmethanol, preferably in aqueous solution, in the presence of an acidic heterogeneous catalyst to form cyclobutanol and, preferably after extraction and removal of the extractant, dehydrogenating the cyclobutanol over a heterogeneous catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of cyclooctanol from cyclooctene comprising: a. reaction of cyclooctene with formic acid in the absence of an added catalyst to produce a two-phase reaction mixture containing cyclooctyl formate and residual formic acid, b. separation of the two phases into a lower phase rich in formic acid (phase A) and an upper phase low in formic acid (phase B), c. extraction of cyclooctyl formate from phase A to obtain an extract, d. combination of phase B and the extract from phase A, e. distillative work-up of the combination of phase B and the extract from phase A in an apparatus fitted with a short distillation path to obtain crude cyclooctyl formate, and f. catalytic transesterification of the cyclooctyl formate of said crude cyclooctyl formate with an alcohol to produce cyclooctanol.