Abstract: Process for the continuous preparation of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) by reacting gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) with monomethylamine (MMA) in the liquid phase, wherein GBL and MMA are used in a molar ratio of from 1:1.08 to 1:2 and the reaction is carried out at from 320 to 380° C. and an absolute pressure of from 70 to 120 bar.

Abstract: A process for continuously preparing 2-pyrrolidone by reacting gamma-butyrolactone with ammonia in the liquid phase in the presence of water, wherein the reaction is carried out at a temperature of from 275 to 300° C. and an absolute pressure of from 140 to 180 bar.

Abstract: A process for preparing &bgr;-alkoxynitriles by reacting &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated nitriles with monohydric, dihydric or trihydric alcohols in the presence of basic catalysts at from −20 to +200° C. comprises using a diazabicycloalkene catalyst of the formula I where from 1 to 4 hydrogen atoms may be independently replaced by the radicals R1 to R4, in which case R1, R2, R3, R4 are each C1-20-alkyl, C6-20-aryl or C7-20-arylalkyl, and n and m are each an integer from 1 to 6.

Abstract: A process for the reaction of an organic compound in the presence of a catalyst comprising, as active metal, ruthenium alone or together with at least one Group Ib, VIIb, or VIIIb metal in an amount of from 0.01 to 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the catalyst, applied to a support, wherein from 10 to 50% of the pore volume of the support comprises macropores having a pore diameter in the range of from 50 nm to 10,000 nm and from 50 to 90% of the pore volume of the support comprises mesopores having a pore diameter in the range of from 2 to 50 nm, the sum of said pore volumes being 100%, and said catalyst as such.

Abstract: A process for the reaction of an organic compound in the presence of a catalyst comprising, as active metal, ruthenium alone or together with at least one Group Ib, VIIb, or VIIIb metal in an amount of from 0.01 to 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the catalyst, applied to a support, wherein from 10 to 50% of the pore volume of the support comprises macropores having a pore diameter in the range of from 50 nm to 10,000 nm and from 50 to 90% of the pore volume of the support comprises mesopores having a pore diameter in the range of from 2 to 50 nm, the sum of said pore volumes being 100%, and said catalyst as such.

Abstract: 6-(p-Acylaminophenyl)-4,5-dihydropyridaz-3-ones of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and R.sup.2, if R.sup.1 is hydrogen, is halogen-substituted alkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or .beta.-haloethyl or, if R.sup.1 is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, is halogen-substituted alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, their manufacture, and therapeutic agents which contain, as the active ingredient, a compound of the formula I, where R.sup.2 may also be halomethyl or .alpha.-haloethyl if R.sup.1 is hydrogen. These compounds may be used as anti-hypertensive agents and for the prophylaxis and therapy of thromboembolic disorders.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of the sought-after scent 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-one, and novel intermediates for the preparation of this compound.2,5-Dimethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-one is prepared by first epoxidizing hex-3-ene-2,5-diol in the liquid phase with hydrogen peroxide to give the novel compound 3,4-epoxy-hexane-2,5-diol, which at 40.degree.-280.degree. C. is converted, by means of a catalytic amount of an acid, to the novel compound 2,5-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan. The latter is dehydrogenated by means of oxygen over a silver catalyst or copper catalyst to give the nove compound 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-tetrahydrofuran-3-one, which is oxidized by means of bismuth oxide, in concentrated acetic acid solution, to give the desired compound 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-one.