Abstract: A process for the preparatiion of an amine which comprises reacting a primary or secondary alcohol and a nitrogen compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia and primary and secondary amines, at temperatures of from 80.degree. to 250.degree. C. and pressures of from 1 to 400 bar using hydrogen in the presence of a zirconium/copper/nickel catalyst, wherein the catalytically active material contains from 20 to 85 wt % of oxygen-containing zirconium compounds, calculated as ZrO.sub.2, from 1 to 30 wt % of oxygen-containing compounds of copper, calculated as CuO, from 30 to 70 wt % of oxygen-containing compounds of nickel, calculated as NiO, from 0.1 to 5 wt % of oxygen-containing compounds of molybdenum, calculated as MoO.sub.3 and from 0 to 10 wt % of oxygen-containing compounds of aluminum and/or manganese, calculated as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or MnO.sub.2, respectively.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure: Aminopropionitriles of the general formula I ##STR1## where R is hydrogen or methyl, wherein ammonia is reacted with an acrylonitrile of the general formula II ##STR2## where the substituents have the abovementioned meanings, in a molar ratio of from 1:1 to 500:1 over a heterogeneous catalyst at from 40.degree. to 180.degree. C. and from 10 to 350 bar.

Abstract: Catalysts whose active material contains, in addition to from 20 to 85% by weight, calculated as ZrO.sub.2, of oxygen-containing zirconium compounds, from 1 to 30% by weight, calculated as CuO, of oxygen-containing compounds of copper and from 1 to 40% by weight each, calculated as CoO or NiO, respectively, of oxygen-containing compounds of cobalt and of nickel are used for the amination of alcohols under hydrogenating conditions.

Abstract: Catalysts whose active material contains, in addition to from 20 to 85% by weight, calculated as ZrO.sub.2, of oxygen-containing zirconium compounds, from 1 to 30% by weight, calculated as CuO, of oxygen-containing compounds of copper and from 1 to 40% by weight each, calculated as CoO or NiO, respectively, of oxygen-containing compounds of cobalt and of nickel are used for the amination of alcohols under hydrogenating conditions.

Abstract: 1,3-Diamino-2,2-dialkylpropanes whose alkyl substituents are each of 1 to 4 carbon atoms are prepared by reacting the corresponding 2,2-dialkylpropane-1,3-diols with ammonia in the presence of hydrogen under superatmospheric pressure by a process in which the reaction is carried out in solution and in the presence of a cobalt-containing catalyst.

Abstract: The hydrogenation of carboxylic acids having 6 or less C atoms, as obtained as by-products of cyclohexane oxidation, to give corresponding diols is improved by the addition of a small amount of phosphoric acid or a phosphoric ester before hydrogenation.

Abstract: Polytetramethylene ether glycols with molecular weights of from 300 to 4500 are produced by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran with an adduct of antimony pentachloride with carboxylic acids or carboxylic acid esters as the catalyst in the presence of a carboxylic acid anhydride, e.g., acetic anhydride, as the promoter. Esterified, e.g., acetylated, polytetramethylene ether glycols produced are subsequently converted to polytetramethylene ether glycols by saponification or transesterification. The process causes substantially less environmental pollution than do prior art methods, yet it is both economical and flexible.

Abstract: The manufacture of N-disubstituted 1-aminoalk-2-yn-4-ols by reacting a secondary amine, e.g. a dialkylamine, formaldehyde and an acetylene-alcohol by a Mannich reaction, using a copper catalyst, takes place with better yield and at a higher rate if carried out in the presence of iodine or of a bromide or iodide.

Abstract: Cyclic ethers are manufactured by eliminating water from corresponding diols in the presence of aluminum oxide which has been obtained by precipitating aluminum hydroxide from an alkali metal aluminate solution by means of an acid and calcining the hydroxide at from 300.degree. to 1,000.degree. C.

Abstract: The manufacture of N-disubstituted 1-aminoalk-2-yn-4-ols by reacting a secondary amine, e.g. a dialkylamine, formaldehyde and an acetylene-alcohol by a Mannich reaction, using a copper catalyst, takes place with better yield and at a higher rate if carried out in the presence of iodine or of a bromide or iodide.

Abstract: Butynediol is prepared by reacting acetylene and formaldehyde in contact with a heavy metal acetylide as catalyst, in the liquid phase by the Reppe method. Acetylene is fed upwardly through a suspension of the catalyst in formaldehyde at such a rate that it is virtually completely consumed and a liquid zone containing no catalyst is formed above the suspension.

Abstract: An improved catalyst for the complete hydrogenation of acetylenically unsaturated alcohols and based on nickel, copper and manganese. The catalyst is used without a support and molybdenum is additionally included in an amount approximately equal to the content of manganese.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of butynediol by the reaction of formaldehyde and acetylene in aqueous solution, in which a catalyst is used which is produced by the action of acetylene and formaldehyde on copper (II) compounds, the catalyst becomes inactive when it is treated for a relatively long period with formaldehyde at elevated temperature in the absence of acetylene so that it must constantly remain in contact with acetylene-containing solution if its temperature is above 70.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved catalyst for the complete hydrogenation of acetylenically unsaturated alcohols and based on nickel, copper and manganese. The catalyst is used without a support and molybdenum is additionally included in an amount approximately equal to the content of manganese.

Abstract: Manufacture of 3-methylbutylamine by reacting 2-methylbuten-1-ol-4 with hydrogen and a molar excess of ammonia simultaneously at about 140.degree. to 240.degree. C. at superatmospheric pressure in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst metal or metals, i.e., the transition metals of Group VIII or copper.

Abstract: An improved method of preparing amines by reaction of alcohols with ammonia or primary or secondary amines at elevated temperature and superatmospheric pressure in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst containing cobalt, nickel and copper, the improvement comprising using a catalyst which contains (calculated on the metal content of the catalyst) from 70 to 95% by weight of a mixture of cobalt and nickel and from 5 to 30% by weight of copper, the ratio by weight of cobalt to nickel being from 4:1 to 1:4. The amines prepared in this way are suitable for the production of emulsifying agents, plant protection agents and vulcanization accelerators.

Abstract: Production of saturated aliphatic alcohols by continuously contacting olefinically unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes with hydrogen in a single stage at elevated temperature in the presence of catalysts containing metallic nickel, supported catalysts being used which contain 60 to 100% by weight of metallic nickel with reference to the metal content of the catalysts.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic hydrogenation of adiponitrile in the presence of ammonia, in which a portion of the reaction mixture is recycled and specific molar ratios of adiponitrile and ammonia are maintained.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of butynediol-1,4 from acetylene and formaldehyde in aqueous solution in contact with a copper acetylide catalyst in the absence of a gas phase.

Abstract: A new catalyst for the manufacture of butynediol from formaldehyde and acetylene, based on a carbonate which contains copper, has the structure of the natural mineral manasseite, also contains magnesium or aluminum or -- in place of aluminum -- iron or chromium and is converted into the catalyst by reaction of the copper ions with acetylene.