Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to processes for forming bisphenols and epoxy resin compositions. In an embodiment, a process for making an epoxy resin composition is provided. The process includes reacting a mixture comprising a catalyst, a monophenol, and an aldehyde or ketone, the mixture comprising a stoichiometric excess of the aldehyde or ketone to the monophenol, and forming a reaction product with the reaction mixture, the reaction product comprising a bisphenol. The process further includes removing water and unreacted aldehyde or ketone from the reaction product, and converting the reaction product comprising the bisphenol to an epoxy resin composition, wherein, after reacting the mixture and before converting the reaction product, the process is free of washing, drying, solid-liquid separation, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to processes for forming bisphenols and epoxy resin compositions. In an embodiment, a process for making an epoxy resin composition is provided. The process includes reacting a mixture comprising a catalyst, a monophenol, and an aldehyde or ketone, the mixture comprising a stoichiometric excess of the aldehyde or ketone to the monophenol, and forming a reaction product with the reaction mixture, the reaction product comprising a bisphenol. The process further includes removing water and unreacted aldehyde or ketone from the reaction product, and converting the reaction product comprising the bisphenol to an epoxy resin composition, wherein, after reacting the mixture and before converting the reaction product, the process is free of washing, drying, solid-liquid separation, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the manufacture of an epoxide. In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for the manufacture of an epoxide including providing an olefin, an oxidant, alkaline earth metal ions, a catalyst component, a buffer component, and water to form a reaction mixture and reacting the olefin with the oxidant in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for purification of epichlorohydrin containing 1,2-epoxy-5-hexene impurity, by (a) epoxidizing allyl chloride contaminated with 1,5-hexadiene into epichlorohydrin, (b) removing any unreacted allyl chloride, (c) adding a halogen to the crude epichlorohydrin obtained after the removal of unreacted allyl chloride and allowing the halogen to react with 1,2-epoxy-5-hexene and other olefinically unsaturated components, if any, in the crude epichlorohydrin, and (d) rectifying the product of step (c) to obtain epichlorohydrin, wherein the amount of halogen added in step (c) is at a molar ratio of at least 0.5:1 to less than 1:1 calculated on the amount of said 1,2-epoxy-5-hexene and said other olefinically unsaturated components in the crude epichlorohydrin, and allowing the halogen to react until it is fully converted.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the manufacture of an epoxide. In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for the manufacture of an epoxide including providing an olefin, an oxidant, alkaline earth metal ions, a catalyst component, a buffer component, and water to form a reaction mixture and reacting the olefin with the oxidant in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for forming and processing multiphasic systems. In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for the manufacture of an epoxide, including reacting an olefinically unsaturated compound with an oxidant in the presence of a buffer component and a water-soluble manganese complex disposed in an aqueous phase having a first pH level in a first multiphasic system, adjusting the pH of the aqueous phase to a second pH level less than the first pH level, isolating at least a portion of the aqueous phase from the first multiphasic system, adjusting the pH of the at least a portion of the aqueous phase to a third pH level greater than the second pH level, and introducing the at least a portion of the aqueous phase into a second multiphasic system.

Abstract: Processes and compositions are provided for epoxidizing an olefinically unsaturated compound. In one embodiment, a process is provided for reacting an olefinically unsaturated compound with an oxidant in the presence of a catalyst at acidic conditions, wherein the catalyst is activated prior to the reaction at a pH that is higher than the pH during the reaction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for forming and processing multiphasic systems. In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for the manufacture of an epoxide, including reacting an olefinically unsaturated compound with an oxidant in the presence of a buffer component and a water-soluble manganese complex disposed in an aqueous phase having a first pH level in a first multiphasic system, adjusting the pH of the aqueous phase to a second pH level less than the first pH level, isolating at least a portion of the aqueous phase from the first multiphasic system, adjusting the pH of the at least a portion of the aqueous phase to a third pH level greater than the second pH level, and introducing the at least a portion of the aqueous phase into a second multiphasic system.

Abstract: Processes and compositions are provided for epoxidizing an olefinically unsaturated compound. In one embodiment, a process is provided for reacting an olefinically unsaturated compound with an oxidant in the presence of a catalyst at acidic conditions, wherein the catalyst is activated prior to the reaction at a pH that is higher than the pH during the reaction.