Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing an ?-methylene ketone comprising the step of reacting a ketone with formaldehyde in the presence of a catalyst which is an organic compound comprising at least one acid function or the corresponding salt, ester or amide thereof and at least one amine function or the corresponding ammonium salt, or a zwitterion thereof.

Abstract: Method (M) for the preparation of an end compound from an internal ketone, said method comprising: —synthesizing the internal ketone by a process (P) for the decarboxylative ketonization of a fatty acid, a fatty acid derivative or a mixture thereof in a liquid phase with a metal compound as catalyst in the substantial absence of added solvent, wherein the fatty acid, fatty acid derivative or mixture thereof is added in sequential steps, the first step taking place at a temperature sequentially at a temperature from 100° C. to 270° C., —causing the internal ketone to react in accordance with a single or multiple chemical reaction scheme involving at least one reagent other than the internal ketone, wherein at least one product of the chemical reaction scheme is the end compound that is not further caused to be chemically converted into another compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing an ?-methylene ketone comprising the step of reacting a ketone with formaldehyde in the presence of a catalyst which is an organic compound comprising at least one acid function or the corresponding salt, ester or amide thereof and at least one amine function or the corresponding ammonium salt, or a zwitterion thereof.

Abstract: A compound of general formula (I) or (II), wherein Rn and Rm independently represent a C3-C27 aliphatic group, R1 to R4, which may be the same or different at each occurrence, represent hydrogen or a C1-C8 alkyl group, X1 and X2, which may be the same or different at each occurrence, represent a linear or branched divalent hydrocarbon radical with 1 to 24 carbon atoms which can be optionally substituted and/or interrupted by one or more heteroatoms or heteroatom containing groups, and R5 and R6, which may be the same or different at each occurrence, represent a group selected from —O?, -Alk-CH(OH)—CH2—SO3— and -Alk-CO2— wherein Alk represents an alkylene group.

Abstract: Methods of acidizing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore that include the steps of (a) injecting into the wellbore at a pressure below subterranean formation fracturing pressure a treatment fluid having a first viscosity and including an aqueous acid and a gelling agent selected from the group consisting of Formulas I-XI and combinations thereof; (b) forming at least one void in the subterranean formation with the treatment fluid; and (c) allowing the treatment fluid to attain a second viscosity that is greater than the first viscosity.

Abstract: Process (P) for the decarboxylative ketonization of fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives or mixtures thereof in the liquid phase with metal compounds as catalyst wherein the fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives or mixtures thereof are added sequentially. Downstream chemistry can be realized starting from internal ketones obtained by process (P), especially in order to design and develop new surfactants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for synthesizing an internal ketone K1 by decarboxylative ketonization reaction of a fatty acid, a fatty acid derivative or a mixture thereof in a liquid phase with a metal compound as catalyst in a reaction medium, said process being characterized in that a ketone K2 at liquid state, which is identical or similar to the ketone K1, is introduced into the reaction medium. The so-synthesized internal ketone K1 can be used for the preparation of a variety of end compounds, including surfactants having a twin-tail structure or a Gemini structure.

Abstract: Methods of acidizing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore that include the steps of (a) injecting into the wellbore at a pressure below subterranean formation fracturing pressure a treatment fluid having a first viscosity and including an aqueous acid and a gelling agent selected from the group consisting of Formulas I-XI and combinations thereof; (b) forming at least one void in the subterranean formation with the treatment fluid; and (c) allowing the treatment fluid to attain a second viscosity that is greater than the first viscosity.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to surfactants having the following formula (I) wherein: each of Ra and Rb is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon chain, each of Rc and Rd is a alkyl chain having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, each of (E1) and (E2) is a divalent hydrocarbon radical, A is: a group a carboxylate group —COO? (optionally in all or part in the form —COOH); or a sulfonate group —SO3? (optionally in all or part in the form —SO3H). The invention also relate to the preparation of these surfactants and their use in oil extraction, especially in EOR applications.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for the cross-ketonization (Piria reaction) between an aryl carboxylic acid and an aliphatic carboxylic acid using a metal-based compound and a slight or a moderate excess of aryl carboxylic acid. A good selectivity, up to 99 mol %, can be achieved. The aryl aliphatic ketone can be used for the preparation of surfactants and other downstream products.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for the cross-ketonization (Piria reaction) between an aryl carboxylic acid and an aliphatic carboxylic acid using a metal-based compound and a slight or a moderate excess of aryl carboxylic acid. A good selectivity, up to 99 mol %, can be achieved. The aryl aliphatic ketone can be used for the preparation of surfactants and other downstream products.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for synthesizing an internal ketone K1 by decarboxylative ketonization reaction of a fatty acid, a fatty acid derivative or a mixture thereof in a liquid phase with a metal compound as catalyst in a reaction medium, said process being characterized in that a ketone K2 at liquid state, which is identical or similar to the ketone K1, is introduced into the reaction medium. The so-synthesized internal ketone K1 can be used for the preparation of a variety of end compounds, including surfactants having a twin-tail structure or a Gemini structure.

Abstract: Process P1 for the manufacture of a secondary fatty alcohol, said process P1 comprising synthesizing an internal ketone K1 by a process P0 comprising the decarboxylative ketonization reaction of a fatty acid or the like in a liquid phase with a metal compound as catalyst in a reaction medium, wherein a ketone K2 at liquid state, which is identical or similar to the internal ketone K1, is introduced into the reaction medium, and subjecting the internal ketone K1 to a hydrogenation reaction with hydrogen gas as hydrogenating agent to form the secondary fatty alcohol. Use of the secondary fatty alcohol manufactured by the process P1 for the manufacture of an internal olefin or of an internal olefin sulfonate.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for enhanced oil recovery comprising a) a mixture of ?-sulfocarbonyl compounds of formulae (1) and (2) in a mixture ratio (1) to (2) of from 1:99 to 99:1 wherein R1, R3 and R5, which may be the same or different at each occurrence, are hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl chain having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R2 and R4, which may be the same or different at each occurrence, may be a linear or branched alkyl group having 4 to 24 carbon atoms and in which the alkyl chain may comprise one or more cycloaliphatic groups, and X is H or a metal forming a salt with the sulfonate group, and b) a salt containing aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention concerns new cationic quaternary ammonium compounds which exhibit excellent adsorption properties on negatively charged surfaces. These ones can notably be obtained firstly by reacting an internal ketone with a twin-tail amine under reductive amination conditions to obtain a twin tail triamine, then subjecting the twin tail triamine to a quaternization reaction. They can also obtained be obtained by the quaternization reaction of a certain diamine.

Abstract: A mixture of two alkoxylates surfactants, one being an aryl aliphatic carbinol alkoxylate, the other one being a dialiphatic carbinol alkoxylate, said mixture being useful for stabilizing emulsions and dispersions used in agricultural or pharmaceutical formulations. The alkoxylates surfactants may serve as substitutes for nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) and tristyrylphenol ethoxylates (TSE).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of xylene derivatives from furfural and its derivatives. The invention describes new routes for converting furfural and its derivatives into xylene derivatives including novel intermediates.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for enhanced oil recovery comprising a) a mixture of a-sulfocarbonyl compounds of formula (1) and (2) in a mixture ratio (1) to (2) of from 1:99 to 99:1 wherein R1, R3 and R5, which may be the same or different at each occurrence, are hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl chain having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R2 and R4, which may be the same or different at each occurrence, may be a linear or branched alkyl group having 4 to 24 carbon atoms and in which the alkyl chain may comprise one or more cycloaliphatic groups, and X is H or a metal forming a salt with the sulfonate group, and b) a salt containing aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for the cross-ketonization (Piria reaction) between an aryl carboxylic acid and an aliphatic carboxylic acid using a metal-based compound and a slight or a moderate excess of aryl carboxylic acid. A good selectivity, up to 99 mol %, can be achieved. The aryl aliphatic ketone can be used for the preparation of surfactants and other downstream products.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to N-alkyldiamide compounds responding to the following formula (I), wherein: R1 or R2 is selected from hydrogen or a linear, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon chain having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, with the proviso that one and only one of R1 or R2 is hydrogen, R is selected from cyclic or branched, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon aliphatic chain having from 2 to 15 carbon atoms. The present invention also relates to the use of the com pounds of formula (I) as a gelling agent and to gel compositions comprising said compounds of formula (I).