Abstract: Preparation of vinyl glycols (I) ##STR1## (R.sup.1 to R.sup.6 =H, a carbo-organic radical, optionally substituted) in which an unsaturated diol of formula II ##STR2## is isomerized in the presence of a rhenium catalyst under neutral conditions. The compounds (I) serve as intermediates for the preparation of active substances and for the preparation of polymers.

Abstract: The preparation of 3-alkoxycarbonyl propenals and 3-dialkoxymethyl propenals of the general formulae Ia and Ib respectively: ##STR1## (R.sup.1 =C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 -alkyl group; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 =hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 =C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl groups, which may be joined to form a 5-membered or 6-membered ring), is effected by reacting a corresponding alcohol of the general formula IIa or IIb ##STR2## with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas in the gas phase in the presence of a metal from Group IB of the Periodic Table or a compound of one such metal acting as catalyst.The target products serve as intermediates for the synthesis of carotenoids.

Abstract: A wind power device comprises a rotor, a machine for converting wind energy, a transmission for transmitting a rotary movement of the rotor to the machine, a tower formed so that the rotor, the transmission and the machine are arranged on the tower, a housing accommodating the transmission and the machine, the rotor having a hub which is formed substantially as a circular ring and also having a plurality of blades which are arranged substantially centrally of the hub, and a bearing unit including at least two bearing members arranged symmetrically at both sides of the rotor wings as considered in an axial direction and supporting the hub on the housing.

Abstract: Aldehydes and ketones of the general formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an organic radical of 1 to n carbon atoms and R.sup.2 is a non-aromatic organic radical of 1 to m carbon atoms, (m+n) ranging from 2 to 24 and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 being combinable to form a 4- to 12-membered ring, are prepared in a continuous manner by oxidizing an alcohol of the general formula II ##STR2## with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas at elevated temperatures in the gas phase in the presence of a catalyst, by effecting the oxidation by means of a supported catalyst composed of an inert carrier having a smooth surface and from 0.1 to 20% by weight, based on the amount of carrier, of an active layer of copper, silver and/or gold in a tubular reactor or tube bundle reactor where the internal diameter D of the tube or tubes ranges from 10 to 50 mm and the largest diameter d of the coated supported catalysts is subject to the relationship d=from 0.1 to 0.2 D.

Abstract: A process for treating residues which result from the Wittig synthesis of olefins and which consist principally of methanol, triphenylphosphine oxide, salts and organic by-products, by steam-stripping the volatile constituents, with partial condensation of the steam, and separating the resulting aqueous-organic mixture at 80.degree.-100.degree. C. into a saline aqueous phase and an organic phase containing principally triphenylphosphine oxide. Using this process provides a simple method of freeing, from triphenylphosphine oxide and other organic impurities, the effluent from syntheses which result in the formation of triphenylphosphine oxide, and thereby on the one hand substantially facilitates the purification of the effluent and on the other hand provides a simple method of recovering the triphenylphosphine oxide.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of polyenyltriarylphosphonium salts are prepared from solutions of the corresponding polyenyltriarylphosphonium salts in organic solvents by driving off the solvent with steam, part of the steam being allowed to condense. Some of the said triarylphosphonium salts may be used directly as pesticides while others are used as intermediates for organic syntheses, especially in the carotinoid field.