Abstract: The vaporous reaction product from the continuous reaction of C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 monoalkanols with hydrogen chloride is removed, condensed, and split into a light organic phase and a heavy aqueous phase. The heavy aqueous phase is immediately distilled yielding HCl-containing reaction water at the bottom of the column and an alcohol stream at the head of the column from where it is returned to the synthesis. The light organic phase is washed with water, dried and, optionally, distilled. The water from this washing operation is neutralized, stripped off in order to remove dissolved organic constituents, and removed as waste water from the system.

Abstract: A process for deodorizing technical-grade isopropyl alcohol by contacting the alcohol with a strongly acidic cation exchange resin loaded with silver in ionic form is provided.

Abstract: A process for deodorizing technical-grade isopropyl alcohol by contacting the alcohol with a strongly acidic cation exchange resin loaded with palladium in ionic form is provided.

Abstract: Formation of undesirable popcorn polymer on the walls of a reaction vessel during thermal dimerization of butadiene is prevented by coating the walls with a falling film of aqueous sodium nitrite solution.

Abstract: A process for the liquid-phase hydrogenation of maleic anhydride to .gamma.-butyrolactone in the presence of a catalyst composed of cobalt oxide and palladium on a support of silica.

Abstract: Improvements in the process of preparing penicillamine or a homolog thereof by reacting an .alpha.-carbon atom branched aldehyde, sulfur and ammonia to form a thiazoline-.DELTA..sup.3, reacting the thiazoline-.DELTA..sup.3 with anhydrous hydrogen cyanide to form a thiazolidine-4-carbonitrile, hydrolyzing the nitrile to form a mixture of the salt of the thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid and ammonium salts, separating off the ammonium salts and hydrolytically decomposing the thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, wherein under the action of a mineral acid the thiazolidine-4-carbonitrile is in the first stage converted at low temperatures into the salt of the thiazolidine-4-carbonamide and then at higher temperatures converted into the salt of the thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing gamma-butyrolactone by hydrogenating maleic anhydride in two stages in the presence of a catalyst composed of cobalt oxide and palladium on a support of silica. The hydrogenation is performed at a hydrogen pressure of 100 to 125 atmospheres and at a temperature of 50.degree. to 100.degree. C. in the first stage and at 190.degree. to 220.degree. C. in the second stage.

Abstract: A process for converting maleic anhydride to .gamma.-butyrolactone by treating the anhydride with hydrogen in the presence of co-catalysts comprising palladium and nickel-copper chromite at elevated pressures and temperatures.

Abstract: A process for converting .gamma.-butyrolactone to tetrahydrofuran by treating the lactone with hydrogen in the presence of a cobalt-copper chromite catalyst at elevated pressures and temperatures.

Abstract: A process for the liquid-phase hydrogenation of maleic anhydride to .gamma.-butyrolactone in the presence of a catalyst composed of cobalt oxide and palladium on a support of silica.

Abstract: A process for converting .gamma.-butyrolactone to tetrahydrofuran by treating the lactone with hydrogen in the presence of a cobalt-copper chromite catalyst at elevated pressures and temperatures.

Abstract: The D-form of an optically active protected penicillamine is prepared by treating a solution of D,L protected penicillamine of the formula: ##EQU1## wherein Ac is formyl, and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are both methyl or are joined together to form the pentamethylene group.

Abstract: A process for converting maleic anhydride to .gamma.-butyrolactone by treating the anhydride with hydrogen in the presence of co-catalysts comprising palladium and nickel-copper chromite at elevated pressures and temperatures.