Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyvalent alcohols by hydrogenation of an aldehyde. According to the invention said aldehyde is obtained by aldolisation reaction of an aldehyde containing an &agr; hydrogen atom and having the formula R1CHO, or the mixture of said aldehyde with a second different aldehyde having the formula or R2CHO, wherein R1 is selected from alkyl having 1-12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl, aryl and aralkyl having 1-14 carbon atoms, and R2 is selected from H, alkyl having 1-12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl, aryl and aralkyl having 1-14 carbon atoms, said aldolisation being carried out in the presence of a weak base anion exchange resin, and the hydrogenation being carried out in the presence of a solvent and a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new, technically simple but efficient process, with a good yield, for the preparation of 2-ethyl-1,3-hexane diol from n-butyraldehyde by aldol condensation in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide or alkali earth metal hydroxide catalyst. To promote the reaction and to improve its controllability, a neutral phase-transfer catalyst is additionally used in the process according to the invention. 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexane diol is used in insecticides and, for example, in the preparation of polyesters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 3-substituted thiophenes in which the substituent is a C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 -alkyl group. According to the invention, the preparation is carried out by allowing an alkali metal salt of a C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 -alkyl-succinic acid to react with a compound of sulfur and phosphorus, e.g. tetraphosphorus decasulfide, in an organic solvent at a temperature of 100.degree.-180.degree. C., the product obtained being 3-(C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 -alkyl)thiophene. The said reaction may be the last step in a process in which the initial material is maleic acid anhydride with which .alpha.-C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 -alkene is combined so that C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 -alkenylsuccinic acid anhydride is obtained, whereafter this is hydrogenated catalytically to produce C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 -alkylsuccinic acid anhydride. This is thereafter reacted with an alkali metal hydroxide so that an alkali salt of the C.sub.4 -C.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to N acyl and O acyl derivatives of N,N-bis(2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypropyl)amine which are produced as follows: ammonium halide, sulphate or aldehyde, and isobutyl aldehyde are subjected to condensation reaction and the obtained product is reduced to the corresponding amino alcohol. The hydrogen atoms linked to the nitrogen atom and the oxygen atom are thereafter substituted by acyl groups. The N-acylation and esterification of hydroxyl groups can be performed simultaneously using a carboxyl acid, carboxyl acid halide, or carboxyl acid anhydride. The N,N-bis(2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypropyl)amine derivatives can be used as polymer stabilizers, PCV plasticizers, emulsifiers, corrosion resistance agents, and metal complexing agents.

Abstract: The present invention concerns N-acyl or N-alkyl derivatives of N,N-bis(2,2-dimethyl-2-carboxyethyl)amine ##STR1## in which R and R" are similar or different C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkyl or aryl groups, R" is a C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 -alkyl or aralkyl group which may contain an ester group in the carbon chain. Said derivatives are prepared by condensing ammonium halide or ammonium sulphate, formaldehyde and isobutyraldehyde, by oxidizing the condensation product thus obtained into acid form, by esterifying, and finally, by N-acylating or N-alkylating. The obtained compounds can be used for plasticizing, stabilizing, lubricating and anticorrosive agents, and for metal complexing agent for polymers, in particular polymers and polymer mixtures of vinyl chloride.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a catalyst system for selective alkylation of toluene with propylene. The catalyst system contains metallic sodium on a K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 carrier and transition metal oxide, which advantageously is CeO.sub.2, Dy.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, as promoter. The invention also concerns a procedure for selective alkylation of toluene with propylene in the presence of a catalyst system.

Abstract: A procedure for producing stearyl-.beta.-(3,5-dibutyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate and bis-(.beta.-(3,5-dibutyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-methylcarboxyethyl)sulphide. In the procedure, a titanate-catalysis exchange esterification reaction is carried out with propionic acid ester conforming to formula (IV) and stearyl alcohol or thiodiglycol. ##STR1## where Bu is an n-butyl, secondary butyl, isobutyl or tertiary butyl group and R.sub.2 is a methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl group.