Abstract: Light-colored lower alkyl oligoglucosides having a low polyglucose content can be obtained in short reaction times by a process in whicha) aqueous glucose sirup is added to a mixture of a lower alcohol and an acidic catalyst at elevated temperatures via an inline mixer,b) the water present in the reaction mixture and the water released are azeotropically distilled off continuously andc) after the addition of glucose sirup, the reaction mixture is subjected to heating until at least 99% of the glucose is reacted.

Abstract: The crude reaction products from the synthesis of alkyl glycosides are bleached by kneading the material substantially freed from the excess fatty alcohol and containing at most limited quantities of water with an oxidizing agent at such elevated temperatures that the reaction mixture lends itself to plastic processing. Temperatures of from about 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. are particularly suitable, although it is best to apply temperatures in the range from about 80.degree. to 100.degree. C. using aqueous hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizing agent. Bleaching is carried out under basic conditions, optionally by addition of an alkaline compound, such as for example 50% sodium hydroxide solution. The bleached product accumulates in the form of a solid. It is preferably mixed with typical compatible solids, more particularly typical constituents of detergents and cleaning preparations, to form a solid and preferably free-flowing alkyl glycoside compound.

Abstract: A process for reacting nitroparaffins with formaldehyde in the presence of potassium hydroxide by aldol condensation which can be carried out continuously or discontinuously and on a large scale. This is achieved by mixing the nitroparaffin, aqueous aldehyde solution and potassium hydroxide in the absence of organic solvents and carrying out the reaction while maintaining the temperature between -5.degree. and +20.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of geminate bromo-nitro-alcohols by the bromination of alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal salts of nitroalcohols in aqueous solution, while cooling the reaction mixture so that the maximum reaction temperature does not exceed 30.degree. C. In carrying out the reaction, the aqueous solution of nitroalcohol salt is added to a mixture of bromine and aqueous hydrobromic acid.

Abstract: Unpurified 2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol is used as the starting material for a process for the preparation of 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane from 2-nitro-1,3-propanediol without the use of an organic solvent on an industrial scale. This is carried out in such a way that in a first stage a mixture of bromine and aqueous hydrogen bromide solution is cooled and an aqueous solution of an alkali metal or an alkaline-earth metal salt of 2-nitro-1,3-propanediol is added at such a rate that, with cooling, the maximum reaction temperature does not exceed 30.degree. C., and then in a second reaction stage paraformaldehyde and sulfuric acid are added, left to react above room temperature, and the organic phase separated.