Abstract: Processes for recovering dialkyl terephthalates. The processes can include exposing a polyester composition to one or more glycols to depolymerization conditions thereby providing one or more depolymerization products. The one or more depolymerization products can be exposed to an alcoholysis process to recover dialkyl terephthalate. Optionally, the one or more glycols can be recycled and re-used in a subsequent dialkyl terephthalate recovery or other process.

Abstract: An efficient process useful for the self-condensation of aliphatic aldehydes is provided, catalyzed by dialkylammonium carboxylate salts. In particular, the invention provides a facile method for the preparation of 2-ethyl hexenal via the self-condensation of butyraldehyde using various dialkylammonium carboxylates, e.g., diisopropylammonium acetate or dimethylammonium acetate, as catalyst. Additionally, residual nitrogen arising from the catalyst can be reduced to ?100 ppm levels in the product via a simple washing procedure. The invention provides a process for preparing alkenals under conditions which limit the formation of undesired impurities and high-boiling oligomeric substances.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol by reacting 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutanedione with a secondary alcohol in the presence of a transfer hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: Methods for producing cyclododecasulfur are disclosed, that include the steps of: oxidizing a bromide in aqueous solution to produce a mixture of molecular bromine, tribromide, and bromide; reducing water to produce hydrogen and a hydroxide; and reacting a metallasulfur derivative with the molecular bromine, to produce cyclododecasulfur and a metallabromide derivative.

Abstract: Methods for producing cyclododecasulfur are disclosed that include the steps of: reacting a metallasulfur derivative with a molecular halogen to produce cyclododecasulfur and a metallahalide derivative; and reacting the metallahalide derivative with a sulfide or polysulfide to produce the metallasulfur derivative and a halide.

Abstract: Methods for producing cyclododecasulfur are disclosed that include the steps of: reacting a bromide with molecular chlorine to obtain molecular bromine and a chloride; oxidizing the chloride in aqueous solution with removal of electrons to obtain molecular chlorine; reducing water with electrons to obtain hydrogen and a hydroxide; and reacting a metallasulfur derivative with the molecular bromine, to produce cyclododecasulfur and a metallabromide derivative.

Abstract: Method for producing molecular halogen are disclosed, that include the steps of: oxidizing a halide to produce a mixture comprising one or more of a molecular halogen, a trihalide, and a halide; reducing a polysulfide comprising a higher rank polysulfide dianion to produce a lower rank polysulfide dianion; and recovering molecular halogen from the mixture comprising one or more of a molecular halogen, a trihalide, and a halide.

Abstract: An efficient process useful for the self-condensation of aliphatic aldehydes is provided, catalyzed by dialkylammonium carboxylate salts. In particular, the invention provides a facile method for the preparation of 2-ethyl hexenal via the self-condensation of butyraldehyde using various dialkylammonium carboxylates, e.g., diisopropylammonium acetate or dimethylammonium acetate, as catalyst. Additionally, residual nitrogen arising from the catalyst can be reduced to ?100 ppm levels in the product via a simple washing procedure. The invention provides a process for preparing alkenals under conditions which limit the formation of undesired impurities and high-boiling oligomeric substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of cyclododecasulfur, a cyclic sulfur allotrope wherein the number of sulfur (S) atoms in the allotrope's homocyclic ring is 12. The method includes reacting a metallasulfur derivative with an oxidizing agent in a reaction zone to form a cyclododecasulfur-containing reaction mixture.

Abstract: Vulcanizable elastomeric formulation are disclosed. The formulations comprise at least one elastomer; a vulcanizing agent comprising cyclododecasulfur; and a prevulcanization inhibitor, present in an amount, for example, from about 0.01 phr to about 10 phr. The formulations, when vulcanized, provide articles that exhibit improved durability.

Abstract: A process for the transesterification of methyl-2-ethylhexanoate with triethylene glycol to produce triethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate is provided. In the process, methyl-2-ethylhexanoate is combined with triethylene glycol to form a first mixture. The first mixture is heated in the presence of a catalyst to form a second mixture comprising methanol and triethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate. Methanol is separated from the second mixture to yield triethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate. Na2CO3, Cs2CO3, K2CO3, Rb2CO3, sodium methoxide or titanium isopropoxide are suitable catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of cyclododecasulfur, a cyclic sulfur allotrope wherein the number of sulfur (S) atoms in the allotrope's homocyclic ring is 12. The method includes reacting a metallasulfur derivative with an oxidizing agent in a reaction zone to form a cyclododecasulfur-containing reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of cyclododecasulfur, a cyclic sulfur allotrope wherein the number of sulfur (S) atoms in the allotrope's homocyclic ring is 12. The method includes reacting a metallasulfur derivative with an oxidizing agent in a reaction zone to form a cyclododecasulfur-containing reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process for the transesterification of methyl-2-ethylhexanoate with triethylene glycol to produce triethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate is provided. In the process, methyl-2-ethylhexanoate is combined with triethylene glycol to form a first mixture. The first mixture is heated in the presence of a catalyst to form a second mixture comprising methanol and triethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate. Methanol is separated from the second mixture to yield triethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate. Na2CO3, Cs2CO3, K2CO3, Rb2CO3, sodium methoxide or titanium isopropoxide are suitable catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of cyclododecasulfur, a cyclic sulfur allotrope wherein the number of sulfur (S) atoms in the allotrope's homocyclic ring is 12. The method includes reacting a metallasulfur derivative with an oxidizing agent in a reaction zone to form a cyclododecasulfur-containing reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process for making methyl esters in high yields. The process comprises contacting aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes and methanol with a homogeneous dimeric ruthenium catalyst, to catalyze the dehydrogenative coupling between aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes and methanol. The reaction is highly selective (<99.9%) toward the formation of methyl esters over homoesters and alcohols and operates at temperatures of less than 100° C. for 2-8 hours.

Abstract: A vulcanizing composition useful for the vulcanization of vulcanizable formulations is disclosed. The vulcanizing composition includes a vulcanizing agent which in turn includes a cyclododecasulfur compound. A cyclododecasulfur compound characterized by a DSC melt point onset of between 155° C. and 167° C. when measured at a DSC heat rate of 20° C./minute is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering formic acid from a formate ester of a C3 to C4 alcohol. Disclosed is also a process for producing formic acid by carbonylating a C3 to C4 alcohol, hydrolyzing the formate ester of the alcohol, and recovering a formic acid product. The alcohol may be dried and returned to the reactor. The process enables a more energy efficient production of formic acid than the carbonylation of methanol to produce methyl formate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering formic acid from a formate ester that allows for recovery of a formic acid product comprising greater than 75 wt. % formic acid. Disclosed is also a process for producing formic acid by carbonylating a carrier alcohol, hydrolyzing the formate ester of the carrier alcohol, and recovering a formic acid product comprising greater than 70 wt. % formic acid. Discloses are carrier alcohols that enable more favorable hydrolysis equilibriums and/or distillation sequences.

Abstract: A process for preparing a variety of secondary and tertiary alkyl formate esters via the coupling of methanol and secondary (or tertiary) alcohols. Iron-based catalysts, supported by pincer ligands, are employed to produce these formate esters in high yields and unprecedentedly high selectivities (>99%). Remarkably, the coupling strategy is also applicable to bulkier tertiary alcohols, which afford corresponding tertiary formate esters in moderately high yields and high selectivities.