Abstract: A process for the recovery of 2-methylbutanal from mixtures of isomeric aldehydes having 5 carbon atoms wherein the mixture is distilled in the presence of formaldehyde and an aldolization catalyst. The 2-methylbutanal obtained is useful as an intermediate for the preparation of various useful compounds, including the corresponding alcohol, amine, and acid.

Abstract: Preparation of 2,2-dimethylpropanediol-1,3 by the aldol addition of isobutyraldehyde and formaldehyde using tri-n-propylamine as a catalyst, followed by hydrogenation of the reaction mixture, and subsequent distillation of the hydrogenation product in the presence of isobutanol and water.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of methyl carboxylates by the reaction of mono or dicarboxylic acids having more than 5 carbon atoms and methanol in the presence of acidic catalysts at temperatures from 100.degree. to 150.degree. C. and below the boiling point of the carboxylates being produced.

Abstract: A walking beam furnace with a hearth of fixed beams and of walking beams arranged on supports passing through slots in the floor of the furnace in which, so as to avoid heat loss and undesired heating of the supports in the region of the floor slots, covers are provided for the floor slots that are movable with the supports in at least the feed direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to new quaternary ammonium salts of di and trisulfonated triarylphosphines as well as a process for their preparation. The salts are of Formula I ##STR1## wherein Ar.sub.1, Ar.sub.2, and Ar.sub.3 are each independently an aryl; X.sup.1, X.sup.2, and X.sup.3 are each independently a sulfogroup; y.sup.1, y.sup.2, and y.sup.3 are each independently 0 or 1, provided that their sum is at least 1; A is an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aralkyl, or aryl having 6-25 carbon atoms; B, C, and D are straight chain or branched alkyl having 1-4 carbons; and n is a whole number of 1-3.

Abstract: The invention relates to new quaternary ammonium salts of di and trisulfonated triarylphosphines as well as a process for their preparation. The salts are of Formula I ##STR1## wherein Ar.sub.1, Ar.sub.2, and Ar.sub.3 are each independently an aryl; X.sup.1, X.sup.2, and X.sup.3 are each independently a sulfo group; y.sup.1, y.sup.2, and y.sup.3 are each independently 0 or 1, provided that their sum is at least 1; A is an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aralkyl, or aryl having 6-25 carbon atoms; B, C, and D are straight chain or branched alkyl having 1-4 carbons; and n is a whole number of 1-3.

Abstract: A walking beam furnace comprises a hearth formed by fixed and walking beams disposed with their axes in the feed direction. Both the walking beams and the fixed beams are divided at positions spaced apart in the feed direction into sections, and each section of each beam is staggered relative to the adjacent section. As a result, the material to be annealed comes into contact with the cooled fixed beams at different positions at each of the conveying pauses and temperature balancing takes place at the points of contact.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing 3-dimethylamino-2,2-dimethylpropanal from isobutyraldehyde, dimethylamine and a source of formaldehyde is disclosed wherein the process is carried out at a pH value of 9 to 11.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of mono, di or trisulfonated aryl phosphines whereby triaryl phosphine is sulfonated with oleum at 0.degree. to 40.degree. C. After dilution of the reaction product with water, the sulfonated triaryl phosphine is extracted with an amine dissolved in an organic solvent; both the amine and organic solvent being insoluble in water. From the organic phase the sulfonated phosphine is transferred to the aqueous phase by treatment with an aqueous solution of a base.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol is disclosed wherein hydrogen peroxide and 2,3-dimethylbutene are reacted with formic acid at 50.degree. to 70.degree. C. while stirring, the 2,3-dimethylbutene and hydrogen peroxide being introduced into the formic acid simultaneously but separately. The diol can be obtained by hydrolysis of the pinacol monoformate formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a walking beam furnace, the hearth of which consists, at least partially, of longitudinal beams arranged side by side and alternately formed as fixed beams and walking beams. Each walking beam is lifted and lowered with the aid of lifting rollers, which run on ramps. The ramps are prolonged downwards by a longer distance than is required for the working lift of the walking beams. The walking beams are depressed, step by step, into a repair and maintenance plane which lies appreciably below the plane of the hearth, by moving down the lifting rollers into the region of the lower prolongation of the ramps.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2-methyl-2-sec.butyl-1,3-propanediol comprising hydroformylating 2-methyl-1-butene with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a first catalyst to form the substance 3-methyl-pentanal, condensing said substance with formaldehyde, or a compound which forms formaldehyde under the conditions of condensation in a basic medium to form alpha-sec.butyl-acrolein, partially hydrogenating said acrolein in the presence of a second catalyst to form the material 2,3-dimethyl pentanal, and converting said material into said diol by treatment with formaldehyde, or a compound which forms formaldehyde under the conditions of conversion, in the presence of a strong base as a third catalyst.The compound of the present invention is useful as an intermediate in the production of pharmaceuticals and drugs; in particular, the production of carbamates which are useful as tranquilizers and blood pressure lowering agents.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of di-n-propylacetic acid which comprises the steps ofA. converting n-valeraldehyde-diallyl acetal into allyl-1-pentenyl ether by cleaving one mol of allyl alcohol per one mol of n-valeraldehye-diallyl acetal;B. rearranging the allyl-1-pentenyl ether thermally into 2-propyl-pent-4-en-1-al,C. partially hydrogenating the 2-propyl-pent-en-1-al catalytically to form 2-propyl valeraldehyde, andD. oxidizing the 2-propyl valeraldehyde to form dipropyl-acetic acid.

Abstract: 2-Propyl-pent-4-en-1-al of the formula ##STR1## and a process for its preparation.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2,3-dimethylbutene-2 is disclosed, which comprises the steps of converting isovaleraldehyde to isopropylacrolein, hydrogenating .alpha.-isopropylacrolein to form 2,3-dimethylbutanol, dehydrating 2,3-dimethylbutanol to form an olefin mixture comprising 2,3-dimethylbutene-1 and 2,3-dimethylbutene-2, and isomerizing the 2,3-dimethylbutene-1 contained in the mixture into 2,3-dimethylbutene-2. The present process is technically simple and inexpensive to utilize, and results in high yields of the desired product.

Abstract: A process for preparing methacrolein by catalytic reaction of propionaldehyde with formaldehyde is disclosed wherein the catalyst comprises a mixture of secondary amine and organic carboxylic acid with up to 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for preparing 2-methylenealdehydes by reacting aldehydes with formaldehyde in the presence of enamines is disclosed.

Abstract: 2-Propyl-pent-4-en-1-al of the formula ##STR1## and a process for its preparation.

Abstract: In a process for preparing methyl-nonyl-acetaldehyde from undecanal and formaldehyde or a source of formaldehyde, e.g., a substance which forms formaldehyde, in the presence of catalytic amounts of a secondary amine, the improvement whereinA. the undecanal is used in the form of the reaction mixture obtained by hydroformylation of 1-decene, andB. di-n-butylamine is used as the catalyst,C. the molar ratio of catalyst to undecanal is 0.025 to 0.050 to 1,D. the reaction is carried out at 90.degree. to 100.degree. C., andE. the 2-methylene-undecanal formed is then converted by partial hydrogenation into methyl-nonyl-acetaldehyde.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2,3-dimethylpentanal which comprises contacting 3-methyl-2-pentene with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a rhodium carbonyl compound as catalyst. Rhodium carbonyl catalysts are those which contain only rhodium and carbon monoxide and in certain cases, also hydrogen. Especially contemplated are non-phosphine containing rhodium carbonyl catalysts.