Abstract: In the production of light-colored pastes of .alpha.-sulfofatty acid alkyl ester alkali metal salts by reaction of fatty acid alkyl esters with gaseous SO.sub.3, subsequent after-reaction in liquid phase, neutralization with aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solutions and bleaching, effective bleaching can be obtained without any reduction in the washing-active substance content by addition of the hydrogen peroxide during neutralization of the .alpha.-sulfofatty acid alkyl ester and subjecting the neutralization product obtained to a temperature-controlled after-reaction.

Abstract: Fatty acid alkyl esters are produced by catalytic transesterification of natural fats and oils containing free fatty acids. In a preliminary esterifying step, the free fatty acids present are reacted with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkanol (e.g., methanol) in the presence of an acidic esterification catalyst, at a temperature of about 50.degree. to 120.degree. C. and at substantially atmospheric pressure. The resulting reaction mixture is allowed to separate into two phases: (1) an alcohol phase containing the acidic esterification catalyst and part of the water of reaction and (2) an oil phase. These phases separately recovered. The oil phase is then extracted with an immiscible extractant, preferably comprising a mixture of glycerol and methanol, to remove residual water of reaction. In the final step the extracted oil phase is transesterified with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkanol, e.g. methanol, in the presence of an aklali catalyst and at substantially atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: For the production of fatty acid esters of short-chain, aliphatic alcohols by the catalytic transesterification of natural fats and/or oils containing free fatty acids (oil phase) with the corresponding monoalcohols, the oil phase is subjected to preliminary esterification with the monoalcohols in the presence of acidic esterification catalysts at temperatures no higher than 120.degree. C. and under pressures no higher than 5 bars and in the presence of a liquid entraining agent substantially immiscible with the oil phase, after which the reaction product is separated into an entraining agent phase containing the acidic catalyst and water of reaction and the treated oil phase, the oil phase is then subjected to transesterification while the acidic catalyst-containing entraining agent phase is returned, after at least partial drying, to the preliminary esterification stage.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the preparation of polyhydric alcohols. More specifically, this invention is directed to a continuous process for preparing polyhydric alcohols by the hydrogenation of carbohydrates in the presence of ruthenium-containing catalysts at elevated temperatures and elevated pressure, the improvement wherein the catalyst comprises a catalyst solid bed of ruthenium carrier catalyst in lumps.

Abstract: A process for the oxidative cleavage of vicinal diols having more than 2 carbon atoms in the presence of catalytic amounts of a heavy metal catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of carboxylic acids, which comprises reacting relatively long-chain vicinal diols and/or their complete or part esters with lower carboxylic acids with nitric acid having a concentration of at least 65% at temperatures from 40.degree. to 100.degree.C, and recovering said carboxylic acids.