Abstract: A process for producing hyperbranched, dendritic polyglycerol from glycerol comprising the steps of adding in a vessel glycerol and a CaO-based catalyst, flushing an inert gas to the resulting mixture and hermetically closing the reaction vessel, allowing pressure to build up from 1 to 10 bar above atmospheric, and heating the reaction mixture at a reaction temperature of at least 100° C. and below its boiling point. The process further comprising the steps of maintaining the reaction conditions until at least 40 wt. % of glycerol is polycondensed and converted into hyperbranched polyglycerol, with concomitant water formation, and separating the dendritic polyglycerol from other components in the mixture. The calcium based catalyst is nanostructured calcium oxide in the form of a powder of mean particle size smaller than 100 nm measured according to ASTM D4464.

Abstract: A leach proof microcapsule containing hydrophobic active molecules, wherein the microcapsule shell breaks upon exposure to a positive pressure drop across the inner and outer sides of the shell, 0<?P=Pin?Pout>5 bar, wherein Pin and Pout are the pressures in, respectively, out of the microcapsule. The microcapsule shell consists of a alkylated organosilica compound, either fully alkylated or having an alkylation degree comprised between 2 and 25 mol. %, preferably between 5 and 20 mol. %, more preferably between 8 and 15 mol. %. The microcapsules of the present invention are particularly suitable for use in compositions for active-catalyzed polymerization reactions to form sealants, foams, coatings or adhesives.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal-containing organosilica catalyst, and use thereof in metal-catalyzed reactions. The invention relates to a process of preparation of the metal-containing organosilica catalyst comprising i) mixing a silicon source with an hydrolytic solvent; ii) adding one or more metal catalyst or a precursor thereof; iii) treating the mixture of step ii) with a condensation catalyst and iv) optionally treating the mixture resulting from step iii) with one or more reducing or oxydating agent such as to provide the required oxidation level to the metal catalyst.

Abstract: Nanohybrid sol-gel materials, based on silica organically modified (ormosil) and doped with the ruthenium species tetra-n-propylammonium perruthenate (TPAP) are highly efficient catalysts for the selective oxidation of alcohols to carbonyls with oxygen at low pressure, in organic solvents as well as in carbon dioxide in supercritical state. Novel, highly active and stable materials are the fluorinated ormosils. Optimal conditions for the preparation and use thereof in liquid-phase as well as in supercritical CO2 were set by studying the structure-activity relationships of the materials, with particular reference to the surface hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties and to the textural ones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of raw glycerine as a cement additive in order to improve the compression strength thereof.

Abstract: Nanohybrid sol-gel materials, based on silica organically modified (ormosil) and doped with the ruthenium species tetra-n-propylammonium perruthenate (TPAP) are highly efficient catalysts for the selective oxidation of alcohols to carbonyls with oxygen at low pressure, in organic solvents as well as in carbon dioxide in supercritical state. Novel, highly active and stable materials are the fluorinated ormosils. Optimal conditions for the preparation and use thereof in liquid-phase as well as in supercritical CO2 were set by studying the structure-activity relationships of the materials, with particular reference to the surface hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties and to the textural ones.

Abstract: A versatile methodology to obtain efficient catalytic materials suitable for selective, liquid-phase oxidations of alcohols is described. Solid inorganic membranes were prepared by the sol-gel procedure by adding a solution of stable organic nitroxyl radicals at the onset of the polymerization of silicon alkoxide monomers. In this way, micro- and mesoporous materials can be obtained that axe effective and recyclable catalytic mediators for highly selective oxidations of a vast class of primary and secondary alcohols carried out with several primary oxidants. Delicate substrates such as carbohydrates and allylic alcohols can selectively be oxidized with these novel catalytic materials.