Abstract: A process for preparing 2-methylbutyric acid having a reduced content of 3-methylbutyric acid from the secondary streams obtained in the preparation of pentanoic acids, includes generating a stream enriched with 2-methylbutanal and 3-methyl-butanal. The stream enriched with 2-methylbutanal and 3-methylbutanal of step is reacted with formaldehyde. The reaction with formaldehyde is followed by removal of the organic phase and selective hydrogenation in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst with hydrogen at elevated temperature and elevated pressure and, after removal of the hydrogenation catalyst, treatment of the hydrogenation output obtained with an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A Process for preparing carboxylic esters of a mixture of structurally branched C9 monocarboxylic acids proceeding from 2-ethylhexanol is characterized in that (a) 2-ethylhexanol is dehydrated to an octene mixture in the presence of a catalyst; (b) the octene mixture obtained in step a) is reacted in the presence of a transition metal compound of group VIII of the periodic table of the elements with carbon monoxide and hydrogen to give a mixture of isomeric isononanals; (c) the mixture of isomeric isononanals obtained in step b) is oxidized to a mixture of structurally branched C9 monocarboxylic acids; and (d) the mixture of structurally branched C9 monocarboxylic acids obtained in step c) is reacted with alcohols to give carboxylic esters.

Abstract: Process for preparing isononanoic acid proceeding from 2-ethylhexanol, characterized in that (a) 2-ethylhexanol is dehydrated to octene in the presence of a catalyst; (b) the octene obtained in step a) is reacted in the presence of a transition metal compound of group VIII of the periodic table of the elements with carbon monoxide and hydrogen to give isononanal; and (c) the isononanal obtained in step b) is oxidized to isononanoic acid.

Abstract: A process for obtaining product streams enriched with polyol esters from the secondary streams from polyol ester preparation, comprising a) the reaction of polyols of the general formula (II) H—(—O—[—CR1R2—]m—)o—OH??(II) in which R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, an alkyl radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a hydroxyalkyl radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, m is an integer from 1 to 10, o is an integer from 2 to 15, with linear or branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atom, with removal of the water formed; b) the removal of unconverted starting compounds from the crude ester formed; c) the treatment of the crude ester obtained in step b) with steam to form a volatile secondary stream; and d) the removal of the volatile secondary stream obtained in step c), characterized in that the volatile secondary stream obtained in step d) is separated into an aqueous phase and an organic phase and the organic phase removed is subjected to a further treatment with steam and

Abstract: A batchwise process for aftertreatment of polyol esters prepared by reacting polyols of the general formula (II) H—(—O—[—CR1R2—]m—)o—OH ??(II) in which R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, an alkyl radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, ethyl or propyl, or a hydroxyalkyl radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably the hydroxymethyl radical, m is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 8 and especially 1, 2, 3 or 4, o is an integer from 2 to 15, preferably 2 to 8 and especially 2, 3, 4 or 5, with excess linear or branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms and having a lower boiling point than the polyols used.

Abstract: A multistage tubular reaction system and method for preparing methylol derivatives of an aldehyde includes a tubular reaction system with a plurality of successive reactor stages provided with a formaldehyde containing feed stream. The system includes multiple feed ports for the staged addition of C2 or higher condensible aldehyde and/or base to the formaldehyde containing stream at a plurality of successive feed points to provide a production stream, which is progressively provided with additional reactants as the production stream advances through the successive reaction stages. Advantages include better temperature control and reduced byproduct formation.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyol esters by reacting polyols with linear or branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, is characterized in that a mixture of the starting compounds is allowed to react in the presence of a Lewis acid containing at least one element of groups 4 to 14 of the periodic table of the elements as a catalyst and in the presence of an adsorbent with removal of the water formed, and then the crude ester obtained is aftertreated by adding a further adsorbent which is an acidic activated carbon having a pH of 1 to 6.5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of synthesizing n-butane derivatives, especially 1-butanol, 1-butanal or 1-butyric acid as well as crotonaldehyde and the reaction products thereof, wherein at first methanol is converted into a C2 building block, either ethanol or acetaldehyde, and said C2 building block is then dimerized into a C4 building block.

Abstract: A method for preparing neopentyl glycol by addition of isobutyraldehyde and formaldehyde in the presence of a tertiary alkylamine as catalyst to give hydroxypivalaldehyde with subsequent hydrogenation at a temperature of 80 to 140° C. and at a pressure of 2 to 18 MPa in the liquid phase, is characterized in that the hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of a copper chromite catalyst comprising the activators barium and manganese.

Abstract: A multistage tubular reaction system and method for preparing methylol derivatives of an aldehyde includes a tubular reaction system with a plurality of successive reactor stages provided with a formaldehyde containing feed stream. The system includes multiple feed ports for the staged addition of C2 or higher condensible aldehyde and/or base to the formaldehyde containing stream at a plurality of successive feed points to provide a production stream, which is progressively provided with additional reactants as the production stream advances through the successive reaction stages. Advantages include better temperature control and reduced byproduct formation.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyol esters by reacting polyols with linear or branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, is characterized in that a mixture of the starting compounds is allowed to react in the presence of a Lewis acid containing at least one element of groups 4 to 14 of the periodic table of the elements as a catalyst and in the presence of an adsorbent with removal of the water formed, and then the crude ester obtained is aftertreated by adding a further adsorbent which is an acidic activated carbon having a pH of 1 to 6.5.

Abstract: Process for preparing the vinyl ester of isononanoic acid starting out from 2-ethylhexanol, characterized in that (a) 2-ethylhexanol is dehydrated in the presence of a catalyst to form octene; (b) the octene obtained in step a) is converted into an isononanoic acid having one more carbon atom; and (c) the isononanoic acid obtained in step b) is converted into the corresponding vinyl ester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a copolymer composition comprising 5-95 pphwm of vinyl acetate and 95-5 pphwm of vinyl 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoate, wherein the corresponding 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoic acid has a content of the 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoic acid isomer of at least 88% by weight. Said copolymer is composed and synthesized so as to be useful in the formulation of binders for fibrous substrates such as woven or nonwoven products, paints, adhesives for porous or non-porous substrates, construction cementitious compositions, redispersible powders.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyol esters by reacting polyols with linear or branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, is characterized in that a mixture of the starting compounds is allowed to react in the presence of a Lewis acid containing at least one element of groups 4 to 14 of the periodic table of the elements as a catalyst and in the presence of an adsorbent with removal of the water formed, and then the crude ester obtained is aftertreated by adding a further adsorbent which is an acidic activated carbon having a pH of 1 to 6.5.

Abstract: A mixture useful as plasticizer comprises trimellitic esters and polyether polyol esters, characterized in that the mixture comprises from 1 to 99% by weight of trimellitic esters and 99 to 1% by weight of polyether polyol esters, wherein the polyether polyol esters can be derived from linear or branched, aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms in the molecule.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyol esters by reacting polyols with linear or branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, is characterized in that a mixture of the starting compounds is allowed to react in the presence of a Lewis acid containing at least one element of groups 4 to 14 of the periodic table of the elements as a catalyst and in the presence of an adsorbent with removal of the water formed, and then the crude ester obtained is aftertreated by adding a further adsorbent which is an acidic activated carbon having a pH of 1 to 6.5.

Abstract: A mixture useful as plasticizer comprises trimellitic esters and polyether polyol esters, characterized in that the mixture comprises from 1 to 99% by weight of trimellitic esters and 99 to 1% by weight of polyether polyol esters, wherein the polyether polyol esters can be derived from linear or branched, aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms in the molecule.

Abstract: Process for coproduction of a vinyl ester of the formula R—C(O)O—CH?CH2 by transvinylation reaction of a carboxylic acid of the formula R—C(O)OH with a transvinylating reagent of the formula R1—C(O)O—CH?CH2, characterized in that (a) the transvinylation reaction is conducted continuously at a temperature of 90 to 160° C. and at a pressure of 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous, catalytic process for preparing a vinyl ester of the formula R—C(O)O—CH?CH2 by reaction of a carboxylic acid of the formula R—C(O)OH with a transvinylating reagent of the formula R1—C(O)O—CH?CH2, wherein the reaction is effected at a temperature of 90 to 160° C. and at a pressure of 0.5 to 15 MPa without withdrawal of a reactant in the presence of a transition metal catalyst containing at least one transition metal from the group of ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, iridium, palladium and platinum, and then the resulting reaction mixture is separated into its constituents.

Abstract: A continuous method for preparing neopentyl glycol by addition of isobutyraldehyde and formaldehyde in the presence of a tertiary alkylamine as catalyst to give hydroxypivaldehyde with subsequent hydrogenation in the gas phase at a temperature of 125 to 180° C., is characterized in that the hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of a copper chromite catalyst comprising the activators barium and manganese and at a superatmospheric pressure of 30 to 120 kPa.