Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of a reactant selected from: (a) a 5- or 6-membered lactone that is substituted at the ring-closing carbon atom and has a proton at a carbon atom adjacent to the ring-closing carbon atom; (b) an ester of a carboxylic acid having a gamma-carbonyl group and a proton at a carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom of the carbonyl group; and (c) a carboxylic acid having a gamma-carbonyl group and a proton at a carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom of the carbonyl group, which process involves contacting the reactant with a catalyst in the presence of hydrogen, at a temperature from 100 to 350° C. and a pressure from 1 to 150 bar (absolute), provided the pressure is low enough to avoid condensation of the heaviest feed component at the temperature chosen, and wherein the catalyst is a weakly acidic heterogeneous catalyst comprising a hydrogenating metal.

Abstract: An unleaded gasoline composition comprising: (i) a gasoline base fuel; and (ii) component A, wherein component A is an alkyl alkenoate compound, or a mixture of alkyl alkenoate compounds, selected from compounds of formula I: wherein R1 is a linear alkenyl group containing 3 to 5 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by a methyl group, and R2 is a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The gasoline composition of the present invention exhibits good lubricity. The gasoline composition of the invention in another aspect provides increased sensitivity.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hydroxyacid or hydroxyester from a reactant selected from (a) a carboxylic acid having an aldehyde or keto group; and (b) an ester of a carboxylic acid having an aldehyde or keto group; by contacting the reactant with a metal catalyst in the presence of hydrogen, wherein the metal catalyst is supported on a titanium dioxide or zirconium dioxide support.

Abstract: A gasoline composition containing in the range of from 0.1 to 30 wt % alkylfurfuryl ether with an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is provided. The gasoline composition is prepared by blending the alkylfurfuryl ether in a gasoline base fuel. The alkylfurfuryl ether is prepared by reacting an alkyl alcohol having in the range of 1 to 4 carbon atoms is reacted with furfuryl alcohol by contacting a liquid phase comprising the alkyl alcohol and furfuryl alcohol with an acidic zeolite catalyst at a temperature in the range of from 50 to 200° C.

Abstract: Gasoline compositions are provided comprising component A, an alkyl alkenoate compound, or a mixture of alkyl alkenoate compounds, selected from compounds of formula I: wherein R1 is a linear alkenyl group containing 3 to 5 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by a methyl group, and R2 is a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, with the proviso that component A has a boiling point or boiling point range within the temperature range of from 90 to 200° C., and at least one additional selected component.

Abstract: A process for converting levulinic acid into pentanoic acid, comprising the following steps: (a) supplying hydrogen and a feedstock comprising levulinic acid to a first catalytic zone comprising a strongly acidic catalyst and a hydrogenation metal; (b) converting, in the first catalytic zone, the levulinic acid at a temperature in the range of from 100 to 250° C. into gamma valerolactone to obtain a first effluent comprising gamma valerolactone; (c) supplying at least part of the first effluent to a second catalytic zone comprising a strongly acidic catalyst and a hydrogenation metal; and (d) converting, in the second catalytic zone, gamma valerolactone into pentanoic acid at a temperature in the range of from 200 to 350° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds of formula I which are caspase and TNF-alpha inhibitors. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting caspase and TNF-alpha activity and consequently, can be advantageously used as agents against caspase-, interleukin-1-(“IL-1”), apoptosis-, interferon-? inducing factor-(IGIF), interferon-?-(“IFN-?”), or TNF-alpha mediated diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases. This invention also relates to processes for preparing the compounds of this invention.

Abstract: A process for converting levulinic acid into pentanoic acid, the process comprising the following steps: (a) contacting a feedstock comprising levulinic acid under hydrogenating conditions, in the presence of hydrogen, with a non-acidic heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst comprising a hydrogenation metal supported on a solid catalyst carrier to obtain a first effluent comprising gamma valerolactone; (b) contacting at least part of the first effluent under hydrogenating conditions, in the presence of hydrogen, with a strongly acidic catalyst and a hydrogenation metal to obtain a second effluent comprising pentanoic acid, wherein step (b) is operated at a conversion per pass of at most 70 wt % to obtain the second effluent comprising pentanoic acid and unconverted gamma valerolactone, and wherein part of the unconverted gamma valerolactone is recycled to step (a) and/or step (b).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a reverse-flow reactor comprising at least one catalyst bed which is preceded and followed by at least one bed containing selectively adsorbing material, and its application for in a process for the removal of contaminants from a process stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of propylene carbonate, which process involves contacting propylene oxide with carbon dioxide at a temperature of from 150° C. to 250° C. in the presence of a recycled tetraalkylphosphonium bromide catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a starter member to which a mercury-absorbing layer is applied and which can be used in low-pressure mercury discharge lamps. A starter member for a low-pressure amalgam discharge lamp comprises a mercury-absorbing layer on a base. A coating layer which is provided on the mercury-absorbing layer has a getter effect and prevents the material of the mercury-absorbing layer from coming off.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a reverse-flow reactor comprising at least one catalyst bed which is preceded and followed by at least one bed containing selectively adsorbing material, and its application for in a process for the removal of contaminants from a process stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low-pressure discharge lamp, particularly a compact fluorescent lamp comprising at least one discharge vessel that is inserted in a base. The base and the discharge vessel are connected via a joining material. According to the invention, the base is provided with at least one recess via which the joining material can be introduced after the discharge vessel has been inserted.

Abstract: A method for catalytic conversion of alkylene carbonate, wherein alkylene carbonate is contacted with C1-C5 aliphatic alcohol and/or water in the presence of Mg, Al mixed (hydr) oxide catalyst having a Mg:Al molar ratio in the range of from 4 to 20.

Abstract: A magnetic flux concentrator is used to control the end heating of a tubular material in an electric induction heat treatment process. The magnetic flux concentrator may consist of fixed elements, or a combination of fixed and moveable elements to accommodate end heating of tubular materials having different dimensions or material properties.

Abstract: A magnetic flux concentrator is used to control the end heating of a tubular material in an electric induction heat treatment process. The magnetic flux concentrator may consist of fixed elements, or a combination of fixed and moveable elements to accommodate end heating of tubular materials having different dimensions or material properties.

Abstract: A hydrogenation process for the conversion of a reactant selected from the group consisting of a carboxylic acid having a carbonyl group and an ester of a carboxylic acid having a carbonyl group to form a carboxylic acid or an ester with a hydroxyl group or a lactone, wherein the reactant is contacted with a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a hydrogenating compound, in the presence of formic acid, at a temperature in the range of from 150 to 400° C. and a pressure in the range of from 1.0 to 150 bar (absolute).

Abstract: A process for the conversion of furfuryl alcohol into levulinic acid or alkyl levulinate comprising contacting furfuryl alcohol and water or an alkyl alcohol with a porous heterogeneous catalyst comprising strong acid ion-exchange resin, wherein the catalyst has pores with an average pore diameter in the range of from 1 to 1000 nm.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an alkyl alkenoate, wherein a lactone of the general molecular formula (I) wherein n is 1, 2 or 3, R1 is a C1-C4 alkyl group, and R2, R3 and R4 are, independently, a H atom or a C1-C4 alkyl group, is reacted with a C1-C4 alkyl alcohol in a liquid phase in the presence of a strong acid catalyst at transesterification conditions to form the alkyl alkenoate, wherein alkyl alkenoate and alcohol are continuously removed from the liquid phase by distillation.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of furfuryl alcohol into levulinic acid or alkyl levulinate comprising contacting furfuryl alcohol and water or an alkyl alcohol with a porous heterogeneous catalyst comprising strong acid ion-exchange resin, wherein the catalyst has pores with an average pore diameter in the range of from 1 to 1000 nm.