Abstract: Process for the preparation of saturated primary fatty amines by hydrogenation of the corresponding unsaturated primary fatty aminesIn the novel process, the hydrogenation of the double bonds in an unsaturated primary fatty amine is achieved by reaction of the unsaturated primary fatty amine with hydrogen at a temperature of 80.degree. to 160.degree. C. and a pressure of 1 to 40 bar in the liquid phase and in the presence of 0.1 to 10% by weight of a nickel catalyst or cobalt catalyst. If the fatty amine to be hydrogenated contains ammonia, the latter is substantially removed before the hydrogenation process.

Abstract: According to the new process, the hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acid nitriles or mixtures of unsaturated and saturated fatty acid nitriles is carried out in the liquid phase in the presence of nickel catalysts or cobalt catalysts. In a first reaction step the fatty acid nitrile, in the presence of ammonia, is treated with hydrogenation hydrogen until all the nitrile groups are hydrogenated to predominantly primary amino groups. After the ammonia content in the reaction mixture obtained from the first step has been adjusted to a value of at most 0.1 mol of ammonia per mole of fatty acid nitrile used, a second reaction step is used to hydrogenate the double bonds present to saturated bonds. The desired primary and saturated fatty amine is obtained in a very high yield and has an iodine number of at most 5.

Abstract: A process for the sulfation of primary free OH groups of partial esters of aliphatic polyhydric alcohols with SO.sub.3 is described. As solvent, use is made of at least one compound which has a boiling point of 40.degree. to 200.degree. C. at a pressure of 98 kPa, is liquid under the chosen reaction conditions and, in addition to at least one trivalent nitrogen atom, which is linked exclusively to carbon atoms, contains only carbon, hydrogen and optionally ether oxygen atoms. The sulfated partial esters and also their alkali of alkaline earth salts are obtained with a good color and good yield and without the formation of large quantities of salts which pollute the waste water. They may be used, for example, for detergent base materials, synthetic soaps and flotation agents.

Abstract: Fatty acid-modified polysters composed of polyalkylene oxide and dimerized fatty acids, of the formula ##STR1## in which R is C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 -alkyl or C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 -alkenyl, preferably C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 -alkyl, R.sup.1 is the alkyl skeleton of a dimerized fatty acid having 22 to 42, preferably 34 carbon atoms, A is --C.sub.2 H.sub.4 -- or --C.sub.3 H.sub.6 --, n is a number from 1 to 5, preferably 1 to 3, and x is a number from 20 to 150, preferably 23 to 140. These are prepared by simultaneous reaction of the underlying dimerized fatty acid, polyalkylene oxide and fatty acid. The polyesters obtained are used as agents for increasing the viscosity of surfactant-containing cosmetic, pharmaceutical and industrial products.

Abstract: Glycerides are reacted with ammonia in an amount of at least 200 liters per kilogram of glyceride per hour, at a temperature of 220.degree. to 300.degree. C., and in the presence of special catalysts. Of the product mixture which is formed and removed from the reaction with the excess ammonia, and which is composed essentially of the components water, the desired glycerol and fatty acid nitrile containing fatty acid and fatty acid amide, the latter component is returned to the reaction during the glyceride reaction. After completion of the glyceride reaction, which is indicated when the product mixture contains virtually no more glycerol, all the fatty acid nitrile containing fatty acid and fatty acid amide is further treated, in an after-reaction with a reduced amount of ammonia and at higher temperature, in order to convert the fatty acid and fatty acid amide impurities into fatty acid nitrile.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of fatty acid esters of short-chain primary and secondary alcohols with 1 to 5 carbon atoms by transesterification of glycerides with the said short-chain alcohols is described. In this process, a stream of the gaseous alcohol is passed through the liquid glyceride at temperatures of at least 210.degree. C. and the product mixture of gylcerol and fatty acid alkyl ester is discharged from the reaction zone with this stream and is then subjected to phase separation.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel O/W emulsifiers obtainable by reacting one mole of esters of wool wax acids and glycerol, in particular partial esters, with 0.5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide, a process for the preparation of these novel products and cosmetic agents containing these in an amount of 1 to 15% by weight, based on the total formulation.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing carboxylic acid esters of hexitols by rapidly heating the hexitol and carboxylic acid to 210.degree. to 250.degree. C. in the presence of alkaline catalysts, continuing the esterification reaction at this temperature, while simultaneously driving off the water formed, until an acid number of 2 to 15 has been reached, and then rapidly cooling down to at least 145.degree. C. This process produces hexitol carboxylates which are essentially free of anhydro compounds and have good color quality. The hexitol carboxylates are surface-active substances, in particular high-grade emulsifiers and lubricants.

Abstract: The novel process for the preparation of polyglycerols is based on the condensation of glycerol at a temperature of 190.degree. to 250.degree. C. in the presence of catalysts, the water of condensation being removed. Catalysts which are used are particular compounds containing phosphorus and an alkali metal, such that 0.005 to 1% by weight, based on the weight of glycerol, of phosphorus is present and the molar ratio of alkali metal:phosphorus is 1 to 12:1.

Abstract: A process for the purification of esters, which contain residues of dissolved and/or undissolved alcohols, is described. The purification of the esters containing alcohols is achieved by treating the esters, in the liquid state, with an effective amount of water-soluble polysaccharide derivatives in the solid state.

Abstract: A sizing agent consisting substantially of polyvinyl alcohol and polyglycerol.

Abstract: Glycerol and aliphatic nitriles are simultaneously produced by treating liquid glycerides with gaseous ammonia at a rate of at least 200 liters of ammonia per kilogram of glyceride per hour at temperatures of from 220.degree. to 300.degree. C. in the presence of metal salts of carboxylic or sulfonic acids as catalysts and subjecting the product mixture to a phase separation into a nitrile phase and a glycerol/water phase. Preferred starting materials are vegetable and animal fats and oils.