Abstract: Glyceride-containing feed for a base catalyzed transesterification with lower alkanol to make biodiesel is pretreated with glycerin separated during the transesterification to partially convert glycerides with lower alkanol contained in the separated glycerin using base catalyst in the separated glycerin while reducing the free fatty acid and phosphorus compound concentrations in the glyceride-containing feed. Unique producer compositions are provided by the pretreatment processes.

Abstract: Basic metal salt of glycerin is used as transesterification catalyst or an intermediate to an anhydrous transesterification catalyst for the base catalyzed process for making biodiesel from fats and oils.

Abstract: Processes for making biodiesel are improved by fast, vapor fractionating a crude biodiesel containing alkyl ester, lower alkanol and a catalytically effective amount of base catalyst to obtain a lower alkanol fraction having a low content of water without undue loss of alkyl ester despite the presence of active catalyst.

Abstract: A process is provided for epoxidation of an alkene in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas which comprises contacting the alkene and the oxygen-containing gas under epoxidation conditions in the presence of at least one gaseous efficiency-enhancing member of a redox-half reaction pair, a performance-enhancing amount of a fluorine-containing substance and a supported silver catalyst comprising a catalytically-effective amount of silver on a solid porous support and at least one efficiency-enhancing salt of a member of a redox-half reaction pair.

Abstract: A process is provided for the utilization of dialkyl carbonates formed as by-products in a continuous process for the synthesis of oxalic acid esters from nitrous acid esters and carbon monoxide and wherein the esters are subsequently used as intermediates in the production of commercially useful products, such as ethylene glycol. The process comprises contacting a mixture containing the by-product comprised of a dialkyl carbonate with an aqueous solution of a metal carbonate under hydrolyzing conditions whereby the dialkyl carbonate is converted to the corresponding alkanol and the metal carbonate is converted to metal bicarbonate. Upon distillation of the alkanol from the mixture the bicarbonate is converted back to the metal carbonate which can then be recycled from the bottoms to the hydrolyzing zone for use in further hydrolysis of by-product. The alkanol is recycled for use in the continuous process.

Abstract: A continuous vapor state process for the preparation of diesters of oxalic acid from a nitrogen oxide, an alcohol and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a diester of oxalic acid by contacting carbon monoxide and an ester of nitrous acid in the vapor state under a pressure in the presence of a special palladium supported catalyst.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a diester of oxalic acid by contacting carbon monoxide and an ester of nitrous acid in the vapor state under a pressure in the presence of a supported palladium monolith catalyst.

Abstract: Process for producing organic tertiary polyphosphine monooxides which comprises reacting an organic tertiary polyphosphine with an organic monofunctional alkylating agent to form an intermediate monophosphonium salt of the polyphosphine starting material and then hydrolyzing the salt so produced to the desired polyphosphine monooxide product.