Abstract: A process for isolating alkanesulfonates having a low alkali metal sulfate content and sulfuric acid from paraffin-sulfoxidation reaction mixtures with the aid of alcohols, the reaction mixture, freed from sulfur dioxide, being mixed in a sequence of five mixer/settler vessels with a C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 -alcohol and the amount of alkali metal hydroxide which is necessary for neutralization. The process is designed so that no alkali metal sulfate, but instead only sulfuric acid, is produced as a byproduct. Fewer alkali metal ions are thereby lost from the system, and the consumption of alkali metal hydroxide for neutralization is accordingly reduced.

Abstract: A process for the isolation under mild conditions of paraffinsulfonate from the aqueous reaction mixtures which result from the sulfoxidation of n-paraffins, from which sulfur dioxide has been removed by degassing, and which contain higher molecular weight sulfonic acids, sulfuric acid, n-paraffins and water, in which aliphatic alcohols having 2 to 8 carbon atoms and organic solvents, which are insoluble in water or miscible with water to only a limited extent, are simultaneously allowed to act on the reaction mixtures, the aqueous phase which has separated out and contains sulfuric acid is removed, and the product phase containing paraffinsulfonates is neutralized, evaporated, and the remaining paraffin is driven out with superheated steam.

Abstract: Process for isolating paraffinsulfonates and sulfuric acid of low alkali metal sulfate content from paraffinsulfoxidation reaction mixtures with the aid of alcohols, which comprises adding a C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 -alcohol to the reaction mixture, which has been freed from sulfur dioxide, removing the lower phase of dilute sulfuric acid which separates out, adding to the remaining upper product phase (1) an amount of alkali metal hydroxide such that two phases form and bringing the upper product phase (2) thus obtained to a pH value of 9-12 by addition of some of the product phase (1) and concentrating it by evaporation. For better utilization of the alkali during neutralization, this step can also be carried out in three stages. Only an alkali metal sulfate solution is then obtained as the waste product.

Abstract: Process for isolating paraffinsulfonate from the extracts obtained on sulfoxidating n-paraffins by first of all separating off the bulk of the paraffin by adding alcohol at about 5.degree.-55.degree. C., then adding an amount of alkali required for neutralization in such a way that pH 7 is not undershot, separating off the precipitated alkali metal sulfate, distilling the alcohol out of the remaining paraffinsulfonate solutions, and concentrating the aqueous solution of the paraffinsulfonate by continuously introducing it into an evaporator in which the temperature should never drop below 130.degree. C. from when the paraffinsulfonate solution is started to be introduced throughout the entire period for the evaporation of water.

Abstract: Bipolar electrodes of graphite or glassy carbon are provided on the cathode side with metal nets of a material reducing the hydrogen overvoltage, such as nickel, copper, titanium, steel or brass and between the metal nets and the next anode a spacer made of an insulating material is inserted.

Abstract: N-Vinyl-N-alkyl-carboxylic acid amides are prepared, starting from N-ethyl-carboxylic acid amides, in a 3-stage process consisting of the following stages:(a) anodic alkoxylation of the N-ethyl-carboxylic acid amides to give N-.alpha.-alkoxyethyl-carboxylic acid amides;(b) alkylation of these N-.alpha.-alkoxyethyl-carboxylic acid amides with an alkyl halide or dialkyl sulfate in an alkaline medium to give N-.alpha.-alkoxyethyl-N-alkyl-carboxylic acid amides; and(c) splitting off of alcohol from the products of stage (b) by heating to temperatures between about 60.degree. and about 350.degree. C.Instead of stages (b) and (c), it is also possible to carry out the following stages after stage (a):(b.sub.1) splitting off of alcohol from the N-.alpha.-alkoxyethylcarboxylic acid amides obtained in stage (a) by heating to temperatures of about 60.degree. to about 600.degree. C., to give N-vinyl-carboxylic acid amides; and(c.sub.

Abstract: N-.alpha.-alkoxyethyl-carboxylic acid amides are prepared by anodic alkoxylation of N-ethyl-carboxylic acid amides with an alcohol in an electrolytic cell using vitreous carbon as anode material and at least one alkali metal and/or tetraalkyl-ammonium alkosulfate as supporting electrolyte.

Abstract: Cyclohexene-(1)-dione-(3,6)-tetraalkyldiketals of the formula ##STR1## wherein each R is a primary or secondary C.sub.1-4 alkyl radical are obtained by catalytic hydrogenation of p-benzoquinone tetramethyl-diketal with about 1 mol of H.sub.2 per mol of diketal, in a basic medium, at a temperature of from about -10 to +150.degree. C. and optionally by reketalization with a primary or secondary C.sub.2-4 alcohol in a slightly acid medium with substantial exclusion of water, at a temperature of from about -10 to +35.degree. C. Cyclohexene-(1)-dione-(3,6)-tetraalkyldiketals, optionally dissolved in an alcohol ROH give hydroquinone dialkyl ethers on acidification and heating to about 60.degree. to 120.degree. C., which ethers are valuable dyestuff intermediates.

Abstract: Cyclohexanedione-(1,4)-tetramethyl diketal of the formula ##STR1## is obtained by catalytic hydrogenation of p-benzoquinone tetramethyl diketal in a basic medium, at a temperature of from about -10.degree. to +150.degree. C. The product gives cyclohexanedione-(1,4), on acid hydrolysis, which is a valuable starting product for various syntheses, for example for tetracyanoquinodimethane, a desired compound in the field of semiconductors.Hydroquinone dimethyl ether, which is a valuable intermediate for the dyestuff preparation, is obtained from cyclohexanedione-(1,4)-tetramethyl diketal by catalytic dehydrogenation.

Abstract: Cyclohexanedione-(1,4)-tetramethyl diketal of the formula ##STR1## is obtained by catalytic hydrogenation of p-benzoquinone tetramethyl diketal in a basic medium, at a temperature of from about -10.degree. to +150.degree. C. The product gives cyclohexanedione-(1,4), on acid hydrolysis, which is a valuable starting product for various syntheses, for example for tetracyanoquinodimethane, a desired compound in the field of semiconductors.Hydroquinone dimethyl ether, which is a valuable intermediate for the dyestuff preparation, is obtained from cyclohexanedione-(1,4)-tetramethyl diketal by catalytic dehydrogenation.

Abstract: Cyclohexene-(1)-dione-(3,6)-tetraalkyldiketals of the formula ##STR1## wherein each R is a primary or secondary C.sub.1-4 alkyl radical are obtained by catalytic hydrogenation of p-benzoquinone tetramethyl-diketal with about 1 mol of H.sub.2 per mole of diketal, in a basic medium, at a temperature of from about -10.degree. to +150.degree. C. and optionally by reketalization with a primary or secondary C.sub.2-4 alcohol in a slightly acid medium with substantial exclusion of water, at a temperature of from about -10.degree. to +35.degree. C. Cyclohexene-(1)-dione-(3,6)-tetraalkyldiketals, optionally dissolved in an alcohol ROH give hydroquinone dialkyl ethers on acidification and heating to about 60.degree. to 120.degree. C., which ethers are valuable dyestuff intermediates.

Abstract: P-Benzoquinone diketals of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a halogen atom, preferably CH.sub.3, Cl or F. The diketals obtained may be converted into the corresponding p-quinones by acidic hydrolysis and are, consequently, valuable intermediates for the preparation of the latters as well as for the transformation into the corresponding hydroquinones, which in their turn may be used in known manner in photography, as stabilizers for monomers, as starting material for dyestuff preparation etc.

Abstract: Chlorinated hydroquinone dimethyl ethers of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is H or Cl are prepared by reacting p-benzoquinone tetramethyl diketals of the formula ##STR2## wherein R is defined as above, with an excess of hydrogen chloride in an aprotic solvent at a temperature from about -50.degree. to +50.degree. C. The products I are valuable intermediates for the preparation of dyestuffs, insecticides and pharmaceutics.

Abstract: Hydroquinone dimethyl ethers of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is H, an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or halogen ARE PREPARED BY CATALYTICAL HYDROGENATION OF BENZOQUINONE TETRAMETHYL DIKETALS OF THE FORMULA ##STR2## wherein R has the same meaning as in formula I at a temperature from about 0.degree. to +150.degree. C. As the starting compounds II may be obtained by anodic oxidation of benzene and the corresponding benzene derivatives in methanol hydroquinone dimethyl ethers I used, for example for the manufacture of dyestuffs, may be obtained in simple manner by using benzene or the corresponding benzene derivative as starting products.

Abstract: P-Benzoquinone diketals of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is H, an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a halogen atom, preferably H, CH.sub.3, Cl or F,are prepared by anodic oxidation of benzene or alkoxybenzenes of the formula ##STR2## wherein R has the aforesaid meaning and R.sup.1 is an alkyl radical having of from 1 to 4 carbon atomsIn CH.sub.3 OH containingA. less than about 5% by weight of H.sub.2 O as well asB. about 0.2 to 15% by weight, calculated on the electrolyte, of at least a conducting salt selected from the group of ammonium and alkali fluorides, perchlorates, nitrates, tetrafluoroborates, hexafluorosilicates, hexafluorophosphates, benzene sulfonates, p-toluene sulfonates, quartenary ammonium and phosphonium fluorides as well as methylsulfates and additionallyC. optionally about 0.5 to 10% by weight, calculated on the electrolyte, of a base to be oxidized with difficulty, preferably 2,6-lutidine,At a known anode made of a conventinal material, at a temperature of from about -20.