Abstract: A process for production of tetrahydrofuran, gamma butyrolactone, 1,4 butanediol and the like from a hydrogenatable precursor such as maleic acid, succinic acid, corresponding esters and their mixtures and the like in an aqueous solution in the presence of hydrogen using a noble metal catalyst, wherein a deactivated noble metal catalyst is regenerated by contacting the catalyst with a solvent, separating the solvent from the catalyst, and then reusing the regenerated catalyst in the process.

Abstract: A process for the production of tetrahydrofuran, gamma butyrolactone, 1,4-butane diol and the like from a hydrogenatable precursor such as maleic acid, succinic acid, corresponding esters and their mixtures and the like in the presence of hydrogen and a noble metal catalyst, wherein oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide, oxygen or air are used to regenerate spent noble metal catalyst for further use in the process.

Abstract: A process for producing a poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol (PTMEG) or copolymer having a narrowed molecular weight ratio of 1.9 to 2.07 and a dispersity of 1.2 to 1.65 from a starting PTMEG or copolymer with a broader molecular weight distribution having a dispersity of 1.9 to 2.3 and a molecular weight ratio of 2.3 to 2.6 is provided by feeding the PTMEG or copolymer and an effective amount of an inert solvent to a stripping apparatus and stripping at a temperature of 150 to 220 degrees C. and a pressure of 0.5 to 5 mm of mercury.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of improving the catalytic performance of palladium or ruthenium, rhenium-on-carbon hydrogenation catalysts operating in aqueous media where loss of soluble rhenium may result in rapid catalytic failure. A rhenium-containing hydrogenation catalyst comprised of rhenium on a support material is regenerated by first treating the catalyst with aqueous perrhenic acid or potassium perrhenate followed by treating the catalyst under reducing conditions at elevated temperature and pressure. Treatment of the catalyst as described replenishes dispersed fresh finely divided rhenium which enhances the activity of the catalyst while at the same time allowing the operations to be carried out in situ in the hydrogenation reactor or in a side stream reactor with significant savings in reducing reactor down time and precious metal expenses.

Abstract: Catalytic activity of a platinum group metal catalyst used in catalyzing the hydrogenation of a working solution of an alkylanthraquinone in a water-immiscible solvent in the manufacture of hydrogen peroxide, said catalyst having become at least partially inactivated, is regenerated by a process comprising contacting the catalyst in the presence of the working solution and in the absence of hydrogen with an oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of an oxygen-containing gas and hydrogen peroxide.When the process of the invention is made an integral part of the cyclic anthraquinone process for producing hydrogen peroxide, there results an improvement in the latter process whereby the activity of the catalyst can be maintained at a high level.