Abstract: A method and apparatus for synthesizing at least one of alkylene oxides and alkylene glycols from lower alkanes and/or lower alkenes. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a lower alkane/alkene supply; an oxygen supply for providing a source of oxygen; and a metal oxide catalytic reactor. The metal oxide catalytic reactor includes a reactor chamber; and a catalyst in the chamber for reacting the lower alkane/alkene supply with the source of oxygen to convert the lower alkane/alkene by selective partial oxidation to at least one of the alkylene oxides and alkylene glycols. Also, in the preferred embodiment, a separator, downstream from the reactor, separates the alkylene oxides and alkylene glycols from the total product stream and the unconverted reactants.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for synthesizing alkanolamines and/or alkyleneamines by reacting either an alkane, an alkene, or both with a source of oxygen and a source of nitrogen and, optionally, additional hydrogen to convert the alkane and/or alkene by selective partial oxidative amination to at least one of the desired end products. The invention further provides a regenerable catalyst for use in synthesizing alkanolamines and/or alkyleneamines by selective partial oxidative amination of alkanes and/or alkenes.

Abstract: A nonionic surfactant having cyclic 1,3-dioxane and/or 1,3-dioxolane functionality which is irreversibly splittable by lowering the pH of its aqueous solution is useful in various processes requiring the removal of emulsified hydrophobic contaminants or other hydrophobic materials from an aqueous stream. After splitting of the surfactant into its component aldehyde and polyol, the hydrophobic components phase-separate and can be removed from the aqueous stream by routine means.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for synthesizing alkanolamines and/or alkyleneamines by reacting either an alkane, an alkene, or both with a source of oxygen and a source of nitrogen and, optionally, additional hydrogen to convert the alkane and/or alkene by selective partial oxidative amination to at least one of the desired end products. The invention further provides a regenerable catalyst for use in synthesizing alkanolamines and/or alkyleneamines by selective partial oxidative amination of alkanes and/or alkenes.

Abstract: A nonionic surfactant having cyclic 1,3-dioxane and/or 1,3-dioxolane functionality which is irreversibly splittable by lowering the pH of its aqueous solution is useful in various processes requiring the removal of emulsified hydrophobic contaminants or other hydrophobic materials from an aqueous stream. After splitting of the surfactant into its component aldehyde and polyol, the hydrophobic components phase-separate and can be removed from the aqueous stream by routine means.

Abstract: A nonionic surfactant having cyclic 1,3-dioxane and/or 1,3-dioxolane functionality which is irreversibly splittable by lowering the pH of its aqueous solution is useful in various processes requiring the removal of emulsified hydrophobic contaminants or other hydrophobic materials from an aqueous stream. After splitting of the surfactant into its component aldehyde and polyol, the hydrophobic components phase-separate and can be removed from the aqueous stream by routine means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved reductive amination processes whereby monoethanolamine and ammonia are reacted in the presence of hydrogen and various reductive amination catalysts to yield high selectivity to acyclic products such as aminoethylethanolamine, while reducing the production of cyclic products such as piperazine. When the process of the present invention is carried out in the presence of reductive amination catalyst containing metals such as nickel or nickel-rhenium on transitional alumina carriers, productivity and selectivity to the desired products is increased. Alternatively, the process may be carried out in the presence of hydrotalcite-like or takovite-like catalysts which have been enhanced by the use of promoters to achieve the desired results.

Abstract: A nonionic surfactant having cyclic 1,3-dioxane and/or 1,3-dioxolane functionality which is irreversibly splittable by lowering the pH of its aqueous solution is useful in various processes requiring the removal of emulsified hydrophobic contaminants or other hydrophobic materials from an aqueous stream. After splitting of the surfactant into its component ketone and polyol, the hydrophobic components phase-separate and can be removed from the aqueous stream by routine means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved reductive amination catalysts useful in the production of alkyleneamine compositions having lower levels of cyclic components. Although typical reductive amination catalysts contain nickel or nickel-rhenium on carriers such as alumina, silica, silica-alumina and silica-titania, it has been discovered that by using carriers selected from the transitional aluminas, improvements are obtained in both selectivity to acyclic products and in activity of the catalysts.

Abstract: A nonionic surfactant having cyclic 1,3-dioxane and/or 1,3-dioxolane functionality which is irreversibly splittable by lowering the pH of its aqueous solution is useful in various processes requiring the removal of emulsified hydrophobic contaminants or other hydrophobic materials from an aqueous stream. After splitting of the surfactant into its component aldehyde and polyol, the hydrophobic components phase-separate and can be removed from the aqueous stream by routine means.

Abstract: A nonionic surfactant having cyclic 1,3-dioxane and/or 1,3-dioxolane functionality which is irreversibly splittable by lowering the pH of its aqueous solution is useful in various processes requiring the removal of emulsified hydrophobic contaminants or other hydrophobic materials from an aqueous stream. After splitting of the surfactant into its component ketone and polyol, the hydrophobic components phase-separate and can be removed from the aqueous stream by routine means.