Abstract: A process for direct esterification of an alkyl aldehyde with an alkyl alcohol to produce an alkyl ester is disclosed. The process comprises reacting an alkyl aldehyde with an alkyl alcohol in the presence of an Au/TiOa catalyst, a base and an enal or oxygen to form an ester and an aldehyde. The process avoids liberation of water and avoids the step of oxidation of the alkyl aldehyde to an alkyl acid.

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: 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 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: 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: 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 is provided. The process comprises contacting aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes and methanol with an iron 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A transfer hydrogenation process for forming vicinal diols by hydrogenating 1,2-dioxygenated organic compounds using alcohols as the reducing agent instead of the traditional H2 gas. The transfer hydrogenation is carried out under milder conditions of temperature and pressure than is typical for ester hydrogenation with H2. The milder conditions of operation provide benefits, such as lower operating and capital costs for industrial scale production as well as savings in product purification due to the avoidance of by-products from exposure of reaction mixtures and products to high temperatures.

Abstract: Iron-based homogeneous catalysts, supported by pincer ligands, are employed in the transfer hydrogenation of esters using C2-C12 alcohols as sacrificial hydrogen donors to produce corresponding alcohols from the esters. No external H2 pressure is required. The reaction can be carried out under ambient pressure.

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: Iron-based homogeneous catalysts, supported by pincer ligands, are employed in the transfer hydrogenation of esters using C2-C12 alcohols as sacrificial hydrogen donors to produce corresponding alcohols from the esters. No external H2 pressure is required. The reaction can be carried out under ambient pressure.