Abstract: A process for preparing ?,?-dichlorohydrin starting from glycerin and preferably gaseous anhydrous hydrochloric acid in the presence of low-volatility organic acids as catalysts.

Abstract: A method for forming packing for resin catalytic packed beds, comprising providing elastic elements capable of compressing under the pressure applied by resin particles which expand upon contact with a specific work substance, and have characteristics of elasticity and resiliency which are adapted for the expansion factor of the resin, preparing a packing constituted by a mixture of resin particles and elastic elements, mixed in proportions which are selected as a function of the degree of expansion, and loading the packing so as to constitute an elastic catalytic packed bed which is adapted to remain dimensionally stable following the expansion of the resin particles. The packing thus formed comprises a mixture of particles of resin, which can expand upon contact with a specific work substance and elastic elements.

Abstract: A process for producing esters from vegetal oils and animal fats, comprising the step of transesterification of vegetal oils or animal fats by reaction with an alcohol with low molecular weight in the presence of a catalyst comprising a salt of a carboxylic acid with a metal, wherein the salt of a carboxylic acid with a metal is a salt of a carboxylic acid with a metal selected from the group consisting of metals having a stability constant of the complex with di-benzoyl-methane log?DBM in the range between 8.54 and 10.35, or is a salt with a metal of a carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of fatty acids.