Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of nitrotoluenesl. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of nitrotoluenes with high para -selectivity from toluene using zeolite beta with different binders as a catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of amine oxide by reacting a tertiary or a secondary amine with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant in the presence of a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst comprising a layered double hydroxide exchanged with an anion in the presence of an additive selected from the group consisting of benzonitrile, propionitrile, isobutyronitrile, benzamide and isobutyraride.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the nitration of xylene isomers by using zeolite-beta as a catalyst. This invention particularly relates to a process for the nitration of xylenes using solid acid catalyst, thus totally eliminating the disposal of spent acid and salts. Herein we describe the nitration of disubstituted benzenes, all the isomers of xylene, by employing nitric acid and beta zeolite catalyst dispensing the use of acetic anhydride.

Abstract: The present invention provides a supported osmate useful as a reusable catalyst in the preparation of vicinal diols. The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of supported osmates of the formula (S—NR3)2OsO4.nH2O wherein S is a support, R is an alkyl group, n is the number of water molecules and use thereof in the preparation of vicinal diols by asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) of olefins in presence of cinchona alkaloid compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of benzaldehyde with 40-50% selectivity comprising by catalytic liquid phase air oxidation of toluene. The process involves providing a continuous flow of air in the presence of a catalyst such as salts of Fe, Co, Mo and Ni, and preferably a co-catalyst such as salts of manganese or copper, a promoter which may also be a bromine source, and a carboxylic acid solvent selected from the group consisting of acetic, propionic, benzoic acids ranging between 0.05 to 0.3 wt. times with respect to toluene, at a temperature ranging between 60-130° C. and pressures in the range of 1-10 bars for a period of 0.5-1.5 hours to obtain benzaldehyde (40-50%) along with other by-products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of esters from alcohols using acetic acid as acetylating agent and clays as catalysts, which comprises the preparation of esters in a single step from the reaction of aliphatic, acyclic, cyclic, heterocyclic, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated and aromatic alcohols with carbon atoms in the range of C1 to C10 with acetic acid in a molar ratio of 1:3 to 11 using reusable natural montmorillonite/metal ion-exchanged clay catalysts in the solvent medium of aliphatic, aromatic, or chlorinated hydrocarbons at 30-140° C. for a period in the range of 0.02 to 3.0 hrs, and recovering the corresponding esters by simple work-up procedure.

Abstract: LDH-osmate of the formula [MII(1−x)MIIIx(OH)2][OsO42−]x/2.zH2O wherein MII is a divalent cation selected from the group consisting of Mg2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Ca2+ and MIII is a trivalent ion selected from the group consisting of Al3+, Cr3+, Mn3+, Fe3+ and Co3+, and x is the mole fraction having integral value ranging from 0.2 to 0.33, and z is the number of water molecules and ranges from 1 to 4, useful as, a catalyst, and a process for the preparation thereof and use thereof to manufacture vicinal diols.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 4′-isobutylacetophenone from isobutylbenzene which comprises reactions isobutyl benzene with acetic anhydride as an acylating agent in the presence of a zeolite beta catalyst at a temperature ranges between 60 to 165° C. for 2-12 h separating the catalyst by filtration from the reaction mixture and recovering the product by a conventional method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of nitro line aromatic compounds from aromatic hydrocarbons using modified clay catalysts. This invention particularly relates to a process for nitration of aromatic hydrocarbons using modified clay catalysts without using H2SO4. The process for the preparation of nitro compounds from aromatic hydrocarbons using modified clay catalysts comprises nitrating aromatic hydrocarbons using fuming nitric acid in the molar ratio of nitric acid to aromatic hydrocarbon 0.3:1 to 1.2:1 in the presence of metal exchanged clay catalyst at 25° C. to 155° C. for 0.25 to 2.0 hours and recovering the corresponding nitro compounds.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of high quality amine oxides by reacting a tertiary or secondary amine with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant in the presence of a recyclable heterogeneous layered double hydroxide exchanged with one of the anions of transition metal oxides as a catalyst in an organic solvent at a temperature ranging between 10-25° C. for a period of 1-6 hours under continuous stirring and separating the product by simple filtration and subsequently evaporation of solvents by known methods.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of acyl naphthyl ethers useful as important intermediates for drugs, pharmaceuticals and polyesters by reacting a naphthyl ether with a C2-C5 acid anhydride as an acylating agent employing a zeolite beta catalyst is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of acyl aromatic ethers useful as important intermediates for drugs and pharmaceuticals by reacting an aromatic ether with an acylating agent selected from a C2-C8 acid anhydrides, employing nano- and microcrystalline zeolite beta as catalyst is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of esters from alcohols using acetic acid as acetylating agent and clays as catalysts, which comprises the preparation of esters in a single step from the reaction of aliphatic, acyclic, cyclic, heterocyclic, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated and aromatic alcohols with carbon atoms in the range of C1 to C10 with acetic acid in a molar ratio of 1:3 to 11 using reusable natural montmorillonite/metal ion-exchanged clay catalysts in the solvent medium of aliphatic, aromatic, or chlorinated hydrocarbons at 30-140° C. for a period in the range of 0.02 to 3.0 hrs, and recovering the corresponding esters by simple work-up procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of the acyl heteroaromatic compounds useful as important intermediates for drugs, pharmaceuticals and flavouring agents, said process comprising reacting an heteroaromatic compound selected from furan, thiophene and pyrrole with a C2-C5 acid anhydride as an acylating agent employing metal ion exchanged clays as catalysts at temperatures in the range of 0-130° C. for a period of 1-24 h, and separating the acyl heteroaromatic compound by a conventional method to obtain a product of high purity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of high quality tetrabromobisphenol-A by reacting bisphenol-A with bromine and hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst in a biphase system consisting of water and water immiscible organic solvents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of acylferrocenes from a ferrocene using a montmorillonite or a metal ion exchanged K10 montnorillonite clay catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel single step process for the production of amides from amines comprising reaction of amines with an acylating agent comprising of a carboxylic acid in a molar ratio of 1:3 to 1:10 in the presence of reusable natural montmorillonite/metal ion-exchanged clay catalysts, in a suitable solvent medium at a temperature in the range of 30-160° C. for a period of 0.02 to 6 hrs, and recovering the corresponding amides by a conventional simple work-up procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of nitroarenes with high para-selectivity from monosubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons using aluminosilicates as catalysts, which comprises nitration of monosubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons using aluminosilicates of different ratios wherein Si/Al ranges between 5 to 1000 and the said aluminosilicates being manifested in the form of variety of zeolites and K10 montmorillonite as catalysts using nitric acid in the molar ratio of nitric acid to monosubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons ranging between 0.25 to 2.5 at a temperature in the range of 30-160.degree. C. for a period ranging between 0.25 to 3.0 h and followed by continuous removal of water formed from the reaction mixture with a Dean-Stark apparatus and recovery of the product mixture by concentration of the reaction mixture after separation of the catalyst by filtration.