Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production and purification of glycolic acid or glycolic acid derivatives by the carbonylation of aqueous formaldehyde. The water in the hydrocarboxylation zone is reduced via reaction with the ester bonds in a recycle stream comprising glycolic acid oligomers and/or methyl glycolate oligomers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production and purification of glycolic acid or glycolic acid derivatives by the carbonylation of methylene dipropionate in the presence of a homogeneous acid catalyst and propionic acid. This invention discloses hydrocarboxylations and corresponding homogeneous acid catalyst and glycolic acid separations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production and purification of glycolic acid or glycolic acid derivatives by the carbonylation of methylene dipropionate in the presence of a solid acid catalyst and propionic acid. This invention discloses hydrocarboxylations and corresponding glycolic acid separations wherein the propionic acid stream is readily removed from the glycolic acid and the propionic acid is recycled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production and purification of glycolic acid or glycolic acid derivatives by the carbonylation of formaldehyde in the presence of a homogeneous acid catalyst and a carboxylic acid. This invention discloses hydrocarboxylations and corresponding homogeneous acid catalyst and glycolic acid separations. The homogeneous acid catalyst is readily separated from the hydrocarboxylation reaction effluent and recycled and the carboxylic acid is readily removed from the glycolic acid and the carboxylic acid is recycled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production and purification of glycolic acid or glycolic acid derivatives by the carbonylation of formaldehyde in the presence of a solid acid catalyst and a carboxylic acid. This invention discloses hydrocarboxylations and corresponding glycolic acid separations wherein the glycolic acid stream is readily removed from the carboxylic acid and the carboxylic acid is recycled.

Abstract: This invention concerns a promoted catalyst system for making one or more alkanols from synthesis gas. The catalyst system contains a ruthenium compound and a halogen promoter dispersed in a low-melting tetraorganophosphonium salt. The halogen promoter is a compound capable of generating HX (where X?Cl, Br, or I) under reaction conditions. The invention also concerns a process for selectively preparing one or more alkanols from synthesis gas using the promoted catalyst system.

Abstract: A liquid phase hydrogenolysis of acetal compounds such as cyclic acetals and cyclic ketals are fed to a reaction zone and reacted in the presence of a noble metal catalyst supported on a carbon or silica support to make hydroxy ether mono-hydrocarbons in high selectivity, without the necessity to use acidic co-catalysts such as phosphorus containing acids or stabilizers such as hydroquinone.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes and apparatus for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by dissolving cellulose in carboxylated ionic liquids and thereafter contacting the cellulose solution with at least one acylating reagent. Cellulose esters produced via the present invention can comprise ester groups that originate from the carboxylated ionic liquid and/or the acylating reagent.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes and apparatus for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by dissolving cellulose in carboxylated ionic liquids and thereafter contacting the cellulose solution with at least one acylating reagent. Cellulose esters produced via the present invention can comprise ester groups that originate from the carboxylated ionic liquid and/or the acylating reagent.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes and apparatus for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by dissolving cellulose in carboxylated ionic liquids and thereafter contacting the cellulose solution with at least one acylating reagent. Cellulose esters produced via the present invention can comprise ester groups that originate from the carboxylated ionic liquid and/or the acylating reagent.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Abstract: Processes for producing aromatic dicarboxylic acids are disclosed, the processes including a step of combining in a reaction medium a dialkyl aromatic, a solvent comprising water and a saturated organic acid having from 2-4 carbon atoms, and an oxygen-containing gas, at a temperature from about 125° C. to about 155° C., in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising cobalt, manganese, zirconium, and bromine, wherein the weight ratio of cobalt to manganese in the reaction mixture is from about 10 to about 400. The processes provide improved conversion, while reducing the formation of carbon oxides and other by-products.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes and apparatus for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by dissolving cellulose in carboxylated ionic liquids and thereafter contacting the cellulose solution with at least one acylating reagent. Cellulose esters produced via the present invention can comprise ester groups that originate from the carboxylated ionic liquid and/or the acylating reagent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process wherein a first olefin selected from certain ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates is reacted with a second olefin reactant to produce an olefin metathesis product. When the first olefin reactant is an optically enriched or enantiomerically pure ?,?-dihydroxyalkene, cross metathesis reactions produce products possessing the same optical purity. The ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylene carbonates may be converted to hydrogenated products, and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates may be decarboxylated to provide the corresponding epoxides. The products of the disclosure may be used as monomers for the preparation of specialty polyesters and as intermediates in the manufacture pharmaceuticals and other chemicals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process wherein a first olefin selected from certain ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates is reacted with a second olefin reactant to produce an olefin metathesis product. When the first olefin reactant is an optically enriched or enantiomerically pure ?,?-dihydroxyalkene, cross metathesis reactions produce products possessing the same optical purity. The ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylene carbonates may be converted to hydrogenated products, and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates may be decarboxylated to provide the corresponding epoxides. The products of the disclosure may be used as monomers for the preparation of specialty polyesters and as intermediates in the manufacture pharmaceuticals and other chemicals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process wherein a first olefin selected from certain &agr;,&bgr;-dihydroxyalkenes and 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates is reacted with a second olefin reactant to produce an olefin metathesis product. When the first olefin reactant is an optically enriched or enantiomerically pure &agr;,&bgr;-dihydroxyalkene, cross metathesis reactions produce products possessing the same optical purity. The &agr;,&bgr;-dihydroxyalkenes and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylene carbonates may be converted to hydrogenated products, and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates may be decarboxylated to provide the corresponding epoxides. The products of the disclosure may be used as monomers for the preparation of specialty polyesters and as intermediates in the manufacture pharmaceuticals and other chemicals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid anhydride by the steps of (1) forming a mixed anhydride comprising a trifluoromethanesulfonyl acyl residue and a carboxyl residue by contacting trifluoromethanesulfonic acid or a derivative thereof with a carboxyl compound selected from ketene, dialkyl ketenes, carboxylic acids, and derivatives of carboxylic acids and (2) subjecting the mixed anhydride to reactive distillation wherein the mixed anhydride undergoes disproportionation to produce triflic anhydride and a higher boiling carboxylic acid anhydride.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of aryl carboxylate esters by the reaction of a phenol reactant with an esterification agent selected from carboxylic acid anhydrides and carboxylic acid halides in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of aryl carboxylate esters by the reaction of a phenol reactant with a carboxylic acid in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA).