Abstract: A process for preparing formic acid by reaction of carbon dioxide (1) with hydrogen (2) in a hydrogenation reactor (I) in the presence of a catalyst comprising an element of group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table, a tertiary amine comprising at least 12 carbon atoms per molecule and a polar solvent comprising one or more monoalcohols selected from among methanol, ethanol, propanols and butanols, to form formic acid/amine adducts as intermediates which are subsequently thermally dissociated, where the work-up of the output (3) from the hydrogenation reactor (I) is carried out by addition of water so as to increase the distribution coefficient of the catalyst between the upper phase (4) and the lower phase.

Abstract: The present invention to a process for preparing 2-alkenals of the formula I in which R1 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4-alkyl; and R2 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C12-alkyl, C2-C12-alkenyl, C4-C8-cycloalkyl and C6-C10-aryl, wherein C1-C12-alkyl and C1-C12-alkenyl may be substituted with C5-C7-cycloalkyl or C5-C7-cylcoalkenyl; comprising dehydrogenating an alkenol of the formula II, an alkenol of the formula III or a mixture thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are each as defined above, wherein the alkenol II, the alkenol III or a mixture thereof is brought into contact with a catalytic system comprising at least one ligand and a metal compound selected from ruthenium(II) compounds and iridium(I) compounds, and wherein the hydrogen formed during the dehydrogenation is removed from the reaction mixture by: v) reaction with a reoxidant selected from C3-C12-alkanones, C4-C9-cycoalkanones, benzaldehyde and mixtures thereof; and/or vi) purely physical means.

Abstract: Process for increasing the molar mass of polyalkylenepolyamines by homogeneously catalyzed alcohol amination, which comprises carrying out a reaction of the polyalkylenepolyamines in a reactor with elimination of water in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst and removing the water of reaction from the reaction system. Polyalkylenepolyamines obtainable by such processes, and polyalkylenepolyamines comprising hydroxyl groups, secondary amines or tertiary amines. Uses of such polyalkylenepolyamines as adhesion promoters for printing inks, adhesion promoters in composite films, cohesion promoters for adhesives, crosslinkers/curing agents for resins, primers for paints, wet-adhesion promoters for emulsion paints, complexing agents and flocculating agents, penetration assistants in wood preservation, corrosion inhibitors, immobilizing agents for proteins and enzymes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing primary amines by alcohol amination of alcohols with ammonia with the elimination of water, where the alcohol amination is carried out under homogeneous catalysis in the presence of at least one complex catalyst which comprises ruthenium and at least one at least bidental donor ligand, but no anionic ligands.

Abstract: A process for preparing formic acid by reaction of carbon dioxide (1) with hydrogen (2) in a hydrogenation reactor (I) in the presence of a catalyst comprising an element of group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table, a tertiary amine comprising at least 12 carbon atoms per molecule and a polar solvent comprising one or more monoalcohols selected from among methanol, ethanol, propanols and butanols and also water, to form formic acid/amine adducts as intermediates which are subsequently thermally dissociated, with work-up of the output (3) from the hydrogenation reactor (I) in a plurality of process steps, where a tertiary amine-comprising stream (13) from the work-up is used as selective solvent for the catalyst, is proposed.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of primary amines which have at least one functional group of the formula (—CH2—NH2) by alcohol amination of starting materials which have at least one functional group of the formula (—CH2—OH), with ammonia, with the elimination of water, where the alcohol amination is carried out under homogeneous catalysis in the presence of at least one complex catalyst which comprises at least one element selected from groups 8 and 9 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and also at least one phosphorus donor ligand of the general formula (I).

Abstract: A process for preparing carboxylic acid derivatives of the formula H—(C?O)—R, R is OR1 or NR2R3, R1 is optionally substituted C1-C15-alkyl, C5-C10-cycloalkyl, C5-C10-heterocyclyl, C5-C10-aryl or C5-C10-heteroaryl, substituents are C1-C15-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C5-C10-cycloalkyl or C5-C10-aryl; R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C15-alkyl, C5-C10 cycloalkyl, C5-C10-heterocyclyl, C5-C10-aryl or C5-C10-heteroaryl, substituents are selected from the group consisting of C1-C15-alkyl, C5-C10-cycloalkyl and C5-C10-aryl or R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom form a five- or six-membered ring which optionally comprises one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S and N and bearing the substituent R4, R4 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl; by reacting a reaction mixture comprising carbon dioxide, hydrogen and an alcohol of the formula R1—OH or an amine of the formula NHR2R3 in the presence of a catalyst comprising gold at a pressure from 0.2 to 30 MPa and a temperature from 20 to 200° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyalkylenepolyamines by catalyzed alcohol amination, in which (i) aliphatic aminoalcohols are reacted with one another or (ii) aliphatic diamines or polyamines are reacted with aliphatic diols or polyols with the elimination of water in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: Preparing a primary amine by alcohol amination of alcohol with ammonia and elimination of water includes reacting, in a homogeneously catalyzed reaction, a mixture of alcohol, ammonia, nonpolar solvent, and catalyst, in a liquid phase, to obtain a product mixture. The process then includes phase separating the product mixture into a polar product phase and a nonpolar product phase, and separating off the nonpolar product phase. At least some of the nonpolar phase returns to the homogenously catalyzed reaction. The process further includes separating off amination product from the polar product phase. At least some of the catalyst is in the nonpolar phase, and the catalyst accumulates in the nonpolar phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing carboxylic acid esters, comprising the reaction of at least one primary monoalcohol or of a mixture of a primary monoalcohol and at least one alcohol different therefrom in the presence of a transition metal carbene complex catalyst K which has, as central atom M, at least one transition metal atom of group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements (IUPAC) and at least one monodentate N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, in the presence of a base, wherein the catalyst K is prepared by reacting a transition metal compound V which has at least one transition metal atom of group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements (IUPAC), but no carbene ligand, with an imidazolium salt in the presence of the primary monoalcohol and the base, the reaction being carried out without dilution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing primary amines by alcohol amination of alcohols with ammonia with the elimination of water, where the alcohol amination is carried out under homogeneous catalysis in the presence of at least one complex catalyst which comprises ruthenium and at least one at least bidental donor ligand, but no anionic ligands.

Abstract: A process for preparing acrylic acid by thermolysis of poly-3-hydroxypropionate in the presence of one or more specific tertiary amines as a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing acrylic acid from ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide, in which ethylene oxide is carbonylated in an aprotic solvent with carbon monoxide in the presence of a cobalt catalyst system to give poly-3-hydroxypropionate, the cobalt content in the poly-3-hydroxypropionate formed is reduced with the aid of water and/or an aqueous solution as a precipitation and/or wash liquid, and the poly-3-hydroxypropionate is subsequently split by thermolysis to give acrylic acid.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active 2-methylalkan-1-ol of the general formula (III) comprising the following steps: (i) carbonyl-selective reduction of 2-methylalk-2-en-1-al of the general formula (I) to 2-methylalk-2-en-1-ol of the general formula (II), (ii) enantioselective hydrogenation of 2-methylalk-2-en-1-ol to the general formula (iii), (iii) increasing the optical yield of the optically active 2-methylalkan-1-ol (III) obtained in step (ii) by a lipase-catalyzed acylation reaction, where the radical R means C1-C10-alkyl.

Abstract: A process for preparing formic acid by hydrogenation of carbon dioxide in the presence of a tertiary amine (I), a diamine (II), a polar solvent and a catalyst comprising gold at a pressure of from 0.2 to 30 MPa abs and a temperature of from 0 to 200° C., wherein the catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst comprising gold.

Abstract: Method for working up a mixture comprising at least one alcohol of the general formula (I) R1—CH2—CH2—OH??(I) or at least one branched alcohol of the general formula (II) R1—CH2—CHR1—CH2—OH??(II), furthermore at least one oil-soluble complex compound of at least one metal of the 8th, 9th or 10th group of the Periodic Table of the Elements, which is selected from complex compounds which have at least one ligand L1 which is at least bidentate, where at least one coordination site of L1 is a nitrogen atom, and at least one acid of the general formula (III) R1—CH2—COOH??(III) in the form of one of its salts, where the groups R1 are selected from C2-C10-alkyl, linear or branched, wherein (a) the mixture is treated with water which can comprise an alkali metal hydroxide, (b) the salt or salts of acid of the general formula (III) are extracted.

Abstract: Process for preparing branched alcohols of the general formula (I) where the groups R1 are different or identical and selected from C2-C3-alkyl, linear or branched, using at least one alcohol of the formula (II) R1—CH2—CH2—OH??(II) in homogeneous phase in the presence of at least one base, wherein at least one Ru(II)-containing complex compound is used in which the Ru(II) has at least one ligand L1 which is at least bidentate, where at least one coordination site of L1 is a nitrogen atom.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of polyalkylenepolyamines by homogeneously catalyzed alcohol amination, in which aliphatic amino alcohols are reacted with one another or aliphatic diamines or polyamines are reacted with aliphatic diols or polyols with the elimination of water in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst and in the presence of hydrogen gas. Polyalkylenepolyamines obtainable by such processes and polyalkylenepolyamines comprising hydroxy groups, secondary amines or tertiary amines. Uses of such polyalkylenepolyamines as adhesion promoters for printing inks, adhesion promoters in composite films, cohesion promoters for adhesives, crosslinkers/curing agents for resins, primers for paints, wet-adhesion promoters for emulsion paints, complexing agents and flocculating agents, penetration assistants in wood preservation, corrosion inhibitors, immobilizing agents for proteins and enzymes.

Abstract: A process for preparing carboxylic acid derivatives of the formula H—(C?O)—R, R is OR1 or NR2R3, R1 is optionally substituted C1-C15-alkyl, C5-C10-cycloalkyl, C5-C10-heterocyclyl, C5-C10-aryl or C5-C10-heteroaryl, substituents are C1-C15-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C5-C10-cycloalkyl or C5-C10-aryl; R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C15-alkyl, C5-C10 cycloalkyl, C5-C10-heterocyclyl, C5-C10-aryl or C5-C10-heteroaryl, substituents are selected from the group consisting of C1-C15-alkyl, C5-C10-cycloalkyl and C5-C10-aryl or R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom form a five- or six-membered ring which optionally comprises one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S and N and bearing the substituent R4, R4 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl; by reacting a reaction mixture comprising carbon dioxide, hydrogen and an alcohol of the formula R1—OH or an amine of the formula NHR2R3 in the presence of a catalyst comprising gold at a pressure from 0.2 to 30 MPa and a temperature from 20 to 200° C.

Abstract: Process for preparing formic acid by hydrogenation of carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising an element of group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table, a tertiary amine and a polar solvent at a pressure of from 0.2 to 30 MPa abs and a temperature of from 20 to 200° C. to form two liquid phases, separation of the two liquid phases, wherein the liquid phase (B) enriched with the tertiary amine is recirculated to the hydrogenation reactor and the formic acid/amine adduct from the liquid phase (A) enriched with the formic acid/amine adduct and the polar solvent is thermally dissociated into free formic acid and free tertiary amine in a distillation unit and the tertiary amine liberated in the dissociation and the polar solvent are recirculated to the hydrogenation reactor.