Abstract: Trialkylamines and methyl formate are recovered from reaction mixtures obtained in the preparation of trimethylolalkanes by reaction of n-alkanals with from 2.2 to 4.5 moles of formaldehyde in aqueous solution in the presence of from 0.6 to 3 mole of trialkylamine, each quantity based on 1 mole of alkanal, and subsequent hydrogenation in a process wherein the crude reaction mixturea) is heated to from 100.degree. to 200.degree. C.

Abstract: In order to compound organic materials which are crystalline under standard conditions, these materials, in the pulverulent and/or molten state, are processed in a self-purging, twin-screw extruder in which the screws rotate in the same direction, ejected through one or more narrow passages into a low pressure zone, cooled and comminuted to give particles. In order to improve the pourability and shelf life, the materials are completely crystallized by the time they reach the end of the screws, and are heated during discharge through the narrow passage, in order to form a melt film. Dust-free granules havig a smooth surface can be produced in this manner.

Abstract: Trimethylolalkanes are prepared by reacting an n-alkanal with formaldehyde and a trialkylamine in aqueous solution and then hydrogenating the product, by a method in which from 2.2 to 4.5 moles of formaldehyde and from 0.6 to 3 moles of trialkylamine are used per mole of the alkanal, and the reaction mixture is worked up by distillation either before or after the hydrogenation.

Abstract: The hydrogenation of carboxylic acids having 6 or less C atoms, as obtained as by-products of cyclohexane oxidation, to give corresponding diols is improved by the addition of a small amount of phosphoric acid or a phosphoric ester before hydrogenation.

Abstract: Hydrogenation catalysts which are prepared from mixed crystals of copper-zinc compounds, obtained by precipitation, of the formulaCu.sub.1.5-3 Zn.sub.1-2.5 (CO.sub.3).sub.1-2 (OH).sub.4-6.(H.sub.2 O).sub.0-1by decomposition at 200.degree.-500.degree. C., and are used for the catalytic preparation of propanediols of the formula ##STR1## where the R's may be identical or different and each is an aliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic radical, or the two R's together with the adjacent carbon atom are members of an alicyclic ring, by hydrogenating hydroxypropionaldehydes of the formula ##STR2## where R has the above meanings, and to processes for the preparation of propanediols, using such catalysts. The propane-1,3-diols obtainable by the novel process are valuable starting materials for the preparation of lubricants, plastics, surface coatings and synthetic resins, for example of polyesters derived from the propanediols.

Abstract: Hydrogenation catalysts, which have a specific surface area of from 50 to 150 square meters per gram, solely or partially contain crystals having a spinel structure and copper in the form of copper oxide, and have been obtained by precipitating copper and aluminum in a ratio of from 0.25 to 3 atoms of copper per atom of aluminum from their compounds in the presence of a carbonate at a pH of from 4.5 to 9 and calcining the resulting precipitate at from 300.degree. to 800.degree. C., for the catalytic preparation of propanediols by hydrogenating hydroxypropionaldehydes at not more than 300 bar pressure and from 50.degree. to 200.degree. C., and processes for the preparation of propanediols by the use of such catalysts.The propanediols obtainable by the process of the invention, in particular 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diol, are valuable starting materials for the preparation of lubricants, plastics, surface coatings and synthetic resins, for example corresponding polyesters.

Abstract: Hydrogenation catalysts, which have a specific surface area of from 50 to 150 square meters per gram, solely or partially contain crystals having a spinel structure and copper in the form of copper oxide, and have been obtained by precipitating copper and aluminum in a ratio of from 0.25 to 3 atoms of copper per atom of aluminum from their compounds in the presence of a carbonate at a pH of from 4.5 to 9 and calcining the resulting precipitate at from 300.degree. to 800.degree. C., for the catalytic preparation of propanediols by hydrogenating hydroxypropionaldehydes at not more than 300 bar pressure and from 50.degree. to 200.degree. C., and processes for the preparation of propanediols by the use of such catalysts.The propanediols obtainable by the process of the invention, in particular 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diol, are valuable starting materials for the preparation of lubricants, plastics, surface coatings and synthetic resins, for example corresponding polyesters.

Abstract: 3,6-Dimethyl-3-hydroxy-oct-1-ynes and -oct-1-enes and their esters with lower alkanoic acids, of the general formula I ##STR1## where X and Y are H or the two X's and/or the two Y's together are a further bond between the carbon atoms on which they are present, and R is H, --CO--CH.sub.3, --CO--C.sub.2 H.sub.5 or --CO--C.sub.3 H.sub.7, their use as scents, and a process for the preparation of 3,6-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-octane. The novel compounds exhibit interesting, predominantly floral, woody, herbal and fruity notes. The alcohols of the formula I are of particular importance because they serve as intermediates for a novel and particularly advantageous method of obtaining 3,6-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-octane, a compound required in large amounts as a fragrance for soaps and detergents.

Abstract: A process for machine dishwashing, employing a rinsing liquor which contains carboxylic acids or hydroxycarboxylic acids or mixtures of these and dihydric, trihydric or tetrahydric alcohols, the alcohols and carboxylic acids being of 5 to 9 carbon atoms, of which one carbon atom is quaternary, the alcoholic hydroxyl groups being exclusively primary and the carboxyl group being bonded to the quaternary carbon atom.

Abstract: A method for regulating the viscosity of aqueous detergent and cleanser slurries, in which there are added to the slurries, as viscosity regulators, dihydric, trihydric or tetrahydric aliphatic alcohols, monobasic aliphatic carboxylic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids, esters of the said alcohols and the said acids or mixtures of these, in which compounds the alcohols, carboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxylic acids, and the individual components of the esters, are of 5 to 9 carbon atoms, of which one is a quaternary atom, the alcohols and hydroxycarboxylic acids carry exclusively primary alcohol groups, and the carboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxylic acids have the carboxyl group bonded to the quaternary carbon atom.