Abstract: Hydrotalcites containing the anion of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid are partially or fully thermally decomposed to provide catalysts useful for the conversion of ethanol and hydrogen to a reaction product comprising 1-butanol.

Abstract: Hydrotalcite/metal carbonate combinations are partially or fully thermally decomposed to provide catalysts useful for the conversion of ethanol and hydrogen to a reaction product comprising 1-butanol.

Abstract: A process is provided for the synthesis of furan and related compounds by vapor phase decarbonylation of furfural and derivatives, using a palladium/alumina catalyst that has been promoted with an alkali carbonate. Catalyst lifetime is improved. The catalyst can be regenerated in situ by feeding a mixture of air and steam, with a composition of between about 2% and about 40% air, to the catalyst bed at a temperature between about 300° C. and about 500° C.

Abstract: A process is provided for the synthesis of furan and related compounds by vapor phase decarbonylation of furfural and derivatives. The reaction rate, conversion, and selectivity are enhanced by adding water to the feed. The process can be run at lower temperatures than in similar processes run with essentially dry furan and related compounds.

Abstract: Color is removed from polymeric material by a method which comprises contacting a dyed or pigmented polymer composition with a non-aqueous extraction solvent comprising a nitrogen containing organic base, an ammonium salt and an alkanol. The present method is readily applied to a process for recycling colored polyamide substrates such as dyed nylon fiber.

Abstract: Hydrotalcites containing the anion of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid are partially or fully thermally decomposed to provide catalysts useful for the conversion of ethanol and hydrogen to a reaction product comprising 1-butanol.

Abstract: Hydrotalcite/metal carbonate combinations are partially or fully thermally decomposed to provide catalysts useful for the conversion of ethanol and hydrogen to a reaction product comprising 1-butanol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making a composition comprising at least two different ethers using ethanol, or a combination of ethanol and methanol, as a starting material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel catalyst compositions and their use in a process for the catalytic conversion of ethanol to a reaction product comprising 1-butanol. The catalysts comprise Group II metal salts selected from the group consisting of oxides, carbonates, bicarbonates, hydroxides, and mixtures thereof, supported on a lanthanum-promoted oxide containing alumina.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel catalyst compositions and their use in a process for the catalytic conversion of ethanol to a reaction product comprising 1-butanol. The catalysts comprise Group II metal salts selected from the group consisting of oxides, carbonates, bicarbonates, hydroxides, and mixtures thereof, supported on a lanthanum-promoted oxide containing alumina.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a reaction product comprising 1-butanol by contacting a reactant comprising ethanol containing a significant amount of water with a decomposed hydrotalcite catalyst. The catalyst may be 1) hydrotalcites which have been thermally decomposed, either partially or fully, to form catalytically active species; 2) combinations of hydrotalcites (optionally containing transition metals) and metal carbonates; and 3) hydrotalcites (optionally containing transition metals) surface-impregnated with a transition metal nitrate, where catalysts 2) and 3) have also been thermally decomposed, either partially or fully, to form catalytically active species. The catalyst, at a selected reaction time, has greater activity when the ethanol contains water as compared to when the ethanol is anhydrous.

Abstract: Color is removed from polymeric material by a method which comprises contacting a dyed or pigmented polymer composition with a non-aqueous extraction solvent comprising a nitrogen containing organic base, an ammonium salt and an alkanol. The present method is readily applied to a process for recycling colored polyamide substrates such as dyed nylon fiber.

Abstract: Process for making 5FVN, comprising contacting in a reactor 3PN with CO and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, the catalyst comprising recycled catalyst that is reactivated using hydrogen.

Abstract: Process for making 5FVN, comprising contacting in a reactor 3PN with CO and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, the catalyst comprising recycled catalyst that is reactivated using hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for making 6-aminocaproic acid by hydroformylating 3-pentenenitrile to produce 3-, 4-, and 5-formylvaleronitrile (FVN mixture), oxidizing the FVN mixture to produce 3-, 4-, and 5-cyanovaleric acid; hydrogenating the resulting product to produce 6-aminocaproic acid, 5-amino-4-methylvaleric acid, and 4-amino-3-ethylbutyric acid; and isolating 6-aminocaproic acid from the reaction product. The resulting 6-aminocaproic acid can be cyclized to produce caprolactam.

Abstract: A process for making alkyl 6-aminocaproate by hydroformylating 3-pentenenitrile to produce 3-, 4-, and 5-formylvaleronitrile (FVN mixture), converting the FVN mixture to alkyl 3-, 4-, and 5-cyanovalerate by either oxidative esterification of the FVN mixture or oxidation of the FVN mixture followed by esterification; isolating alkyl 5-cyanovalerate; and hydrogenating the alkyl 5-cyanovalerate to produce alkyl 6-aminocaproate. The resulting alkyl 6-aminocaproate can be cyclized to produce caprolactam.

Abstract: Process for producing 6-aminocapronitrile and/or hexamethylenediamine by hydroformylating 3-pentenenitrile, isolating a formylvaleronitrile (FVN) mixture from the hydroformylation reaction product, reductively aminating the FVN mixture and isolating the desired product.

Abstract: 3-pentenoic acid or the R ester of pentenoic acid is produced by treating pentenoyl chloride in a reactive distillation zone with ROH where R is hydrogen or hydrocarbon of 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Butadiene may be reacted with HCl that is formed by the hydrolysis of pentenoyl chloride, and the butadiene converted to chlorobutene, and the chlorobutene reacted with carbon monoxide to form pentenoyl chloride.