Abstract: Stable aqueous leucoindigo solution comprising an aromatic amine in the form of aniline or aniline and N-methylaniline, wherein said leucoindigo is in the form of an alkali metal salt; wherein the concentration of the aromatic amine is below 40 ppm determined according to ISO 14362-1:2017(E); and wherein the concentration of the leucoindigo salt is in a concentration range of from 10 to 45% by weight based on the total weight of the solution, and wherein the stability of the solution is measured at a temperature of 23° C.; or wherein the concentration of the leucoindigo salt is in a concentration range of from 45 to 65% by weight based on the total weight of the solution, and wherein the stability of the solution is measured at a temperature of 60° C.

Abstract: Stable aqueous leucoindigo solution comprising an aromatic amine in the form of aniline or aniline and N-methylaniline, wherein said leucoindigo is in the form of an alkali metal salt; wherein the concentration of the aromatic amine is below 40 ppm determined according to ISO 14362-1:2017(E); and wherein the concentration of the leucoindigo salt is in a concentration range of from 10 to 45% by weight based on the total weight of the solution, and wherein the stability of the solution is measured at a temperature of 23° C.; or wherein the concentration of the leucoindigo salt is in a concentration range of from 45 to 65% by weight based on the total weight of the solution, and wherein the stability of the solution is measured at a temperature of 60° C.

Abstract: Method of making an aqueous aniline-free or aniline-free and N-methylaniline-free leucoindigo solution from an aqueous leucoindigo solution comprising aniline or aniline and N-methylaniline, the concentration of aniline or aniline and N-methylaniline being determined according to ISO 14362-1:2017(E), wherein said leucoindigo is in the form of an alkali metal salt, the method comprising at least steps (A) to (C): (A) providing a liquid stream comprising said aqueous leucoindigo solution comprising said amine(s); (B) providing a purification stream; (C) bringing into contact said liquid stream with said purification stream.

Abstract: Aqueous leucoindigo solution comprising an aromatic amine in the form of aniline or aniline and N-methylaniline, wherein said leucoindigo is in the form of an alkali metal salt; wherein the concentration of the aromatic amine is below 40 ppm determined according to ISO 14362-1:2017(E); and wherein the concentration of the leucoindigo salt is in a concentration range of from 15 to 45% by weight based on the total weight of the solution, and wherein the solution is stable at a temperature of 23° C.; or wherein the concentration of the leucoindigo salt is in a concentration range of from 45 to 65% by weight based on the total weight of the solution, and wherein the solution is stable at a temperature of 60° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of 5-formylvaleric acid and adipic acid or esters thereof from an isomeric mixture of pentenoic acid or esters thereof said mixture comprising at least 4-pentenoic acid or esters thereof, and further comprising 3-pentenoic acid and/or 2-pentenoic acid or esters thereof. The process allows for efficient production of two different intermediates for producing polyamide using a single process, with good selectivity, little waste, in an economically efficient fashion. The process is very suitable to use an isomeric pentenoic acid mixture obtained from valerolactone, and can be used to produce renewable polyamide intermediates using a single process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of 5-formylvaleric acid and adipic acid or esters thereof from an isomeric mixture of pentenoic acid or esters thereof said mixture comprising at least 4-pentenoic acid or esters thereof, and further comprising 3-pentenoic acid and/or 2-pentenoic acid or esters thereof. The process allows for efficient production of two different intermediates for producing polyamide using a single process, with good selectivity, little waste, in an economically efficient fashion. The process is very suitable to use an isomeric pentenoic acid mixture obtained from valerolactone, and can be used to produce renewable polyamide intermediates using a single process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of adipic acid from adipic acid alkyl ester comprising: subjecting an adipic acid alkyl ester to a hydrolysis reaction in the presence of water, at conditions of temperature and time suitable to form a hydrolysate comprising adipic acid; and optionally recovering adipic acid from said hydrolysate, characterized in that the hydrolysis reaction is carried out in the initial presence of adipic acid, and further to adipic acid obtained by the process. The invention also relates to the use of adipic acid as an acid catalyst in the hydrolysis of adipic acid alkyl ester. The process may advantageously be carried out in the absence of a mineral acid or a heterogeneous catalyst. The adipic acid produces with the process may be low in metals and/or sulphates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the alkoxycarbonylation of carboxylic acid functionalized alkenes or esters thereof, said process comprising: (a) reacting (i) a carboxylic acid functionalized alkene or ester thereof; (ii) a catalyst system comprising a source of Pd and a ligand, (iii) a source of anions derived from an acid with a pKa<3, (iv) carbon monoxide, and (v) a hydroxylgroup comprising compound, under conditions wherein an ester carbonylation product is produced, whereby the process is carried out in the initial presence of an ester carbonylation product. The presence of the ester carbonylation product results in stabilization of the catalyst system and prevents the formation of Pd black.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the isomerization of unsaturated fatty acids or esters or amides thereof, said process comprising reacting: (a) an unsaturated fatty acid or ester or amide thereof; (b) a source of Pd; (c) a bidentate diphosphine of formula I, R1R2>P1-R—P2<R3R4??(I) wherein P1 and P2 represent phosphorus atoms; R1, R2, R3 and R4 represent tert-butyl; and wherein R represents an optionally substituted aromatic group spanning P1 and P2; (d) a lower alcohol; and (e) an acid co-catalyst, under conditions for isomerization to take place. The process is particularly advantageous for the isomerization of substituted alkenes harboring a hydroxy group when the desired end product has a keto group, such as ricinoleic acid or ester thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the alkoxycarbonylation of carboxylic acid functionalized alkenes or esters thereof, said process comprising: (a) reacting (i) a carboxylic acid functionalized alkene or ester thereof; (ii) a catalyst system comprising a source of Pd and a ligand, (iii) a source of anions derived from an acid with a pKa<3, (iv) carbon monoxide, and (v) a hydroxylgroup comprising compound, under conditions wherein an ester carbonylation product is produced, whereby the process is carried out in the initial presence of an ester carbonylation product. The presence of the ester carbonylation product results in stabilization of the catalyst system and prevents the formation of Pd black.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the isomerization of unsaturated fatty acids or esters or amides thereof, said process comprising reacting: (a) an unsaturated fatty acid or ester or amide thereof; (b) a source of Pd; (c) a bidentate diphosphine of formula I, R1R2>P1-R-P2<R3R4??(I) wherein P1 and P2 represent phosphorus atoms; R1, R2, R3 and R4 represent tert-butyl; and wherein R represents an optionally substituted aromatic group spanning P1 and P2; (d) a lower alcohol; and (e) an acid co-catalyst, under conditions for isomerization to take place. The process is particularly advantageous for the isomerization of substituted alkenes harbouring a hydroxy group when the desired end product has a keto group, such as ricinoleic acid or ester thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carbonylation process for the preparation of an alkanoic acid ester comprising reacting: (a) an alkene; (b) a source of Pd; (c) a bidentate phosphine ligand of formula I; R1R2P—R3—R—R4—PR5R6??(I) wherein P represents a phosphorus atom; R1, R2, R5 and R6 can independently represent the same or different optionally substituted organic groups containing a tertiary carbon atom through which the group is linked to the phosphorus atom; R3 and R4 independently represent optionally substituted lower alkylene groups and R represents an optionally substituted aromatic group; (d) a source of anions derived from an acid with a pKa<3; (e) carbon monoxide; and (f) an alkanol; characterized in that the process is performed in the presence of between 0.1 and 3 wt water.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of valerolactone, said process comprising reacting levulinic acid with hydrogen by using a solid Ru catalyst, characterized in that the process is carried out in the presence of at least 0.08% (w/w) water relative to the amount of levulinic acid. Said process may be faster and more selective. This process advantageously allows the production of valerolactone from renewable sources. The valerolactone may be used in the preparation of methylpentenoate, adipic acid dimethylester, adipic acid, hexamethylenediamine, and polyamide 6,6 (all claimed).

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of valerolactone, said process comprising reacting levulinic acid with hydrogen by using a solid Ru catalyst, characterised in that the process is carried out in the presence of at least 0.08% (w/w) water relative to the amount of levulinic acid. Said process may be faster and more selective. This process advantageously allows the production of valerolactone from renewable sources. The valerolactone may be used in the preparation of methylpentenoate, adipic acid dimethylester, adipic acid, hexamethylenediamine, and polyamide 6,6 (all claimed).