Abstract: A swellable intermediate layer that includes a swellable material selected from the group of starch, starch derivatives such as pregelatinised starch, sodium carboxyethyl starch, sodium starch gycolate, cellulose, cellulose ethers such as HPMC, HPC, HEC MC, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, carrageenans, aginates, pectins, xanthanes and their derivatives, guar gum, tragacanth, polyvinyl pyrrolidones and mixtures thereof, in a delayed-release, solid pharmaceutical formulation for peroral use. The formulation has a substrate containing an active substance, the swellable intermediate layer and a retarding coating layer for the adjustment of a release profile for the active substance which essentially permits complete release near the end.

Abstract: Selected cyclohexane-1,3- and -1,4-dicarboxylic acid esters are described, as is their use as plasticizers in plastics and their preparation by hydrogenation of the corresponding isophthalic or terephthalic esters by bringing one or more of these isophthalic or terephthalic esters into contact with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst which comprises, as active metal, at least one metal of the 8th transition group of the Periodic Table on its own or together with at least one metal of the 1st or 7th transition group of the Periodic Table, applied to a support, which comprises using a support having micropores.

Abstract: A process for producing plasticizers in which a phthalic acid having the CAS Nos. 111381-89-6, 111381-90-9, 111381-91-0, 68515-44-6, 68515-45-7 and 3648-20-7, the formed plasticizers and a method of increasing the plasticity of a plastic product.

Abstract: A process for the production of tablet-shaped granular material from a melt, in which (i) a melt is prepared, (ii) the prepared melt is shaped to droplets, (iii) the droplets are deposited on a cooling surface, and (iv) the deposited droplets solidify to give the granular material, wherein the melt comprises an alcohol, and the melt has a melting point of 30° C. or above.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenating an unsaturated heterocyclic compound or a mixture of two or more thereof by contacting the unsaturated heterocyclic compounder the mixture of two or more thereof with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising as active metal at least one metal from transition group VIII of the Periodic Table, applied to a support, wherein the support has macropores.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a catalyst by activating a catalytic composition which comprises a) at least one metal of group IB or IIB or a compound thereof, b) where appropriate a carrier which comprises treating the composition with an alkyne of the general formula I R1—C≡C—R2  (I) in which R1 is alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy or alkoxyalkyl, R2 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl, and a carbonyl compound of the general formula II in which R3 and R4 are, independently of one another, a hydrogen atom, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl, to catalysts obtainable by this process, and to alkynylations and aminoalkylations employing these catalysts.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenating benzenepolycarboxylic acids or a derivatives thereof by bringing one or more benzenepolycarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof into contact with a hydrogen-containing gas is carried out in the presence of a catalyst containing macropores. The catalyst contains, as an active metal, at least one metal of transition group VIII of the Periodic Table alone or together with at least one metal of transition group I or VII of the Periodic Table. Except that hydrogenation of dimethyl terephthalate using a catalyst containing ruthenium as active metal, either alone or together with at least one metal of transition group I, VII or VIII of the Periodic Table, applied to a support having a mean pore diameter of at least 50 nm and a BET surface are of at most 30 m2/g, where the active metal is present in an amount of from 0.01 to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the catalyst, and the ratio of the surface areas of the active metal and the catalyst support is less than 0.

Abstract: Process for producing butyrolactones of the general formula I where R1 and R2 are each hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl or substituted or unsubstituted trialkylsilyl, by reacting alkynes of the general formula II where R1 and R2 are each as defined above, with carbon monoxide and water in the presence of a rhodium catalyst under pressures from 20 to 300 bar and hydrogenating the unhydrogenated 2(5H)-furanone intermediates comprises a) reacting the carbonylation reaction mixture with hydrogen at from 150 to 250° C. and from 100 to 300 bar, b) removing the precipitated catalyst and returning it into the carbonylation reaction, and c) subjecting the catalyst-free reaction mixture to a distillation to recover the butyrolactone.

Abstract: The process for the preparation of carbonyl compounds of the formula I where R1 and R2 are a hydrocarbon radical, or R1 and R2 together are an unsubstituted or substituted alkylene group, and X is ═O or two alkoxy groups, comprises oxidizing alcohols of the formula II  where R1 to R2 and X are as defined above, with oxygen in the gaseous phase a) at temperatures of from 270 to 600° C. on silver coated catalysts which comprise an abrasion-resistant coating of metallic silver on a core of inert support material, or b) at temperatures of from 450 to 750° C. on silver crystals and/or copper crystals having a particle size of from 0.1 to 2.5 mm for a residence time of at most 0.1 second. Also claimed is an advantageous overall process for the preparation of &agr;-diketones, preferably diacetal, from the corresponding ketone, in particular methyl ethyl ketone, via the carbonyl compounds of the formula I where X is two alkoxy groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing alkyne diols by reacting ketones with acetylenic hydrocarbons in an organic solvent in the presence of a base which contains potassium alcoholates of primary and/or secondary alcohols. The alkyne diols are produced while forming adducts which precipitate out of the reaction mixture and which are comprised of alkyne monoalcohols and/or alkyne diols and a base. The stoichiometries of the reaction partners are selected such that gelatinous adducts are formed which comprise a spherical surface, whereby the reaction mixture remains agitable during the entire reaction.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenating a benzenepolycarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof or a mixture of two or more thereof by bringing the benzenepolycarboxylic acid or the derivative thereof or the mixture of two or more thereof into contact with a hydrogen-containing gas is carried out in the presence of a catalyst which comprises as active metal at least one metal of transition group VIII of the Periodic Table alone or together with at least one metal of transition group I or VII of the periodic table applied to a support which contains macropores with the proviso that if dimethyl terephthalate is hydrogenated, the hydrogenation using a catalyst which comprises as active metal ruthenium either alone or together with at least one metal of transition group I, VII or VIII of the Periodic Table applied to a support, where the support has a mean pore diameter of at least 50 nm and a BET surface area of at most 30 m2/g and the amount of the active metal is from 0.

Abstract: The process for the preparation of carbonyl compounds of the formula I where R1 and R2 are a hydrocarbon radical, or R1 and R2 together are an unsubstituted or substituted alkylene group, and X is=O or two alkoxy groups, comprises oxidizing alcohols of the formula II where R1 to R2 and X are as defined above, with oxygen in the gaseous phase a) at temperatures of from 270 to 600° C. on silver coated catalysts which comprise an abrasion-resistant coating of metallic silver on a core of inert support material, or b) at temperatures of from 450 to 750° C. on silver crystals and/or copper crystals having a particle size of from 0.1 to 2.5 mm for a residence time of at most 0.1 second. Also claimed is an advantageous overall process for the preparation of &agr;-diketones, preferably diacetal, from the corresponding ketone, in particular methyl ethyl ketone, via the carbonyl compounds of the formula I where X is two alkoxy groups.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of a sugar or a mixture of two or more thereof comprises the following step: Bringing the sugar or the mixture of two or more thereof into contact with hydrogen in the presence of specific catalysts to give a sugar alcohol or a mixture of two or more thereof, wherein the catalyst comprises at least one metal of transition group VIII of the Periodic Table, either alone or together with at least one metal of transition group I or VII of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: An alkinol or mixture of two or more thereof is hydrogenated by bringing the alkinol or the mixture of two or more thereof into contact with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising as active metal at least one metal of transition group VIII of the Periodic Table, either alone or together with at least one metal of transition group I or VII of the Periodic Table, applied to a support, wherein the support contains macropores.