Abstract: Process for preparing alkanolamines which have a primary amino group (—NH2) and a hydroxyl group (—OH) by alcohol amination of diols having two hydroxyl groups (—OH) by means of ammonia with elimination of water, wherein the reaction is carried out homogeneously catalyzed in the presence of at least one complex catalyst comprising at least one element selected from groups 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table and also at least one donor ligand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing carboxylic acid esters, comprising the reaction of at least one primary monoalcohol or of a mixture of a primary monoalcohol and at least one alcohol different therefrom in the presence of a transition metal carbene complex catalyst K which has, as central atom M, at least one transition metal atom of group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements (IUPAC) and at least one monodentate N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, in the presence of a base, wherein the catalyst K is prepared by reacting a transition metal compound V which has at least one transition metal atom of group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements (IUPAC), but no carbene ligand, with an imidazolium salt in the presence of the primary monoalcohol and the base, the reaction being carried out without dilution.

Abstract: Method for working up a mixture comprising at least one alcohol of the general formula (I) R1—CH2—CH2—OH??(I) or at least one branched alcohol of the general formula (II) R1—CH2—CH2—CHR1—CH2—OH??(II), furthermore at least one oil-soluble complex compound of at least one metal of the 8th, 9th or 10th group of the Periodic Table of the Elements, which is selected from complex compounds which have at least one ligand L1 which is at least bidentate, where at least one coordination site of L1 is a nitrogen atom, and at least one acid of the general formula (III) R1—CH2—COOH??(III) in the form of one of its salts, where the groups R1 are selected from C2-C10-alkyl, linear or branched, wherein (a) the mixture is treated with water which can comprise an alkali metal hydroxide, (b) the salt or salts of acid of the general formula (III) are extracted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing menthone, starting from isopulegol, using specific homogeneous catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention to a process for preparing 2-alkenals of the formula I in which R1 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4-alkyl; and R2 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C12-alkyl, C2-C12-alkenyl, C4-C8-cycloalkyl and C6-C10-aryl, wherein C1-C12-alkyl and C1-C12-alkenyl may be substituted with C5-C7-cycloalkyl or C5-C7-cylcoalkenyl; comprising dehydrogenating an alkenol of the formula II, an alkenol of the formula III or a mixture thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are each as defined above, wherein the alkenol II, the alkenol III or a mixture thereof is brought into contact with a catalytic system comprising at least one ligand and a metal compound selected from ruthenium(II) compounds and iridium(I) compounds, and wherein the hydrogen formed during the dehydrogenation is removed from the reaction mixture by: v) reaction with a reoxidant selected from C3-C12-alkanones, C4-C9-cycoalkanones, benzaldehyde and mixtures thereof; and/or vi) purely physical means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing formic acid by reaction of carbon dioxide with hydrogen in a hydrogenation reactor in the presence of a transition metal complex as a catalyst comprising at least one element from group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table and at least one phosphine ligand with at least one organic radical having at least 13 carbon atoms, of a tertiary amine and of a polar solvent to form a formic acid-amine, adduct, which is subsequently dissociated thermally to formic acid and the corresponding tertiary amine. on unit.

Abstract: Process for preparing primary amines which have at least one functional group of the formula (—CH2—NH2) and at least one further primary amino group by alcohol amination of starting materials having at least one functional group of the formula (—CH2—OH) and at least one further functional group (—X), where (—X) is selected from among hydroxyl groups and primary amino groups, by means of ammonia with elimination of water, wherein the reaction is carried out homogeneously catalyzed in the presence of at least one complex catalyst comprising at least one element selected from groups 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table and also at least one donor ligand.

Abstract: Process for obtaining formic acid by thermal separation of a stream comprising formic acid and a tertiary amine (I), in which a liquid stream comprising formic acid and a tertiary amine (I) in a molar ratio of from 0.5 to 5 is produced by combining tertiary amine (I) and a formic acid source, from 10 to 100% by weight of the secondary components present therein are separated off and formic acid is removed by distillation in a distillation apparatus at a bottom temperature of from 100 to 300° C. and a pressure of from 30 to 3000 hPa abs from the liquid stream obtained, the bottom discharge from the distillation apparatus being separated into two liquid phases and the upper liquid phase being recycled to the formic acid source and the lower liquid phase being recycled for separating off the secondary components and/or to the distillation apparatus.

Abstract: A process for preparing formic acid by reaction of carbon dioxide (1) with hydrogen (2) in a hydrogenation reactor (I) in the presence of a catalyst comprising an element of group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table, a tertiary amine comprising at least 12 carbon atoms per molecule and a polar solvent comprising one or more monoalcohols selected from among methanol, ethanol, propanols and butanols, to form formic acid/amine adducts as intermediates which are subsequently thermally dissociated, where the work-up of the output (3) from the hydrogenation reactor (I) is carried out by addition of water so as to increase the distribution coefficient of the catalyst between the upper phase (4) and the lower phase.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of polyalkylenepolyamines by homogeneously catalyzed alcohol amination, in which aliphatic amino alcohols are reacted with one another or aliphatic diamines or polyamines are reacted with aliphatic diols or polyols with the elimination of water in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst and in the presence of hydrogen gas. Polyalkylenepolyamines obtainable by such processes and polyalkylenepolyamines comprising hydroxy groups, secondary amines or tertiary amines. Uses of such polyalkylenepolyamines as adhesion promoters for printing inks, adhesion promoters in composite films, cohesion promoters for adhesives, crosslinkers/curing agents for resins, primers for paints, wet-adhesion promoters for emulsion paints, complexing agents and flocculating agents, penetration assistants in wood preservation, corrosion inhibitors, immobilizing agents for proteins and enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention to a process for preparing 2-alkenals of the formula I in which R1 is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4-alkyl; and R2 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C12-alkyl, C2-C12-alkenyl, C4-C8-cycloalkyl and C6-C10-aryl, wherein C1-C12-alkyl and C1-C12-alkenyl may be substituted with C5-C7-cycloalkyl or C5-C7-cylcoalkenyl; comprising dehydrogenating an alkenol of the formula II, an alkenol of the formula III or a mixture thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are each as defined above, wherein the alkenol II, the alkenol III or a mixture thereof is brought into contact with a catalytic system comprising at least one ligand and a metal compound selected from ruthenium(II) compounds and iridium(I) compounds, and wherein the hydrogen formed during the dehydrogenation is removed from the reaction mixture by: v) reaction with a reoxidant selected from C3-C12-alkanones, C4-C9-cycoalkanones, benzaldehyde and mixtures thereof; and/or vi) purely physical means.

Abstract: Process for increasing the molar mass of polyalkylenepolyamines by homogeneously catalyzed alcohol amination, which comprises carrying out a reaction of the polyalkylenepolyamines in a reactor with elimination of water in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst and removing the water of reaction from the reaction system. Polyalkylenepolyamines obtainable by such processes, and polyalkylenepolyamines comprising hydroxyl groups, secondary amines or tertiary amines. Uses of such polyalkylenepolyamines as adhesion promoters for printing inks, adhesion promoters in composite films, cohesion promoters for adhesives, crosslinkers/curing agents for resins, primers for paints, wet-adhesion promoters for emulsion paints, complexing agents and flocculating agents, penetration assistants in wood preservation, corrosion inhibitors, immobilizing agents for proteins and enzymes.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of lipophilic polyalkylenepolyamines by homogeneously catalyzed alcohol amination, where aliphatic amino alcohols are reacted with one another or aliphatic diamines or polyamines are reacted with aliphatic diols or polyols with the elimination of water in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst, at least one of the reactants comprising an alkyl or alkylene group having five or more carbon atoms, and after the reaction a phase separation into at least one apolar phase and at least one polar phase being present, the lipophilic polyalkylenepolyamines being present in enriched form in the apolar phase. Polyalkylenepolyamines obtainable by such processes, and polyalkylenepolyamines comprising hydroxyl groups, secondary amines or tertiary amines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing primary amines by alcohol amination of alcohols with ammonia with the elimination of water, where the alcohol amination is carried out under homogeneous catalysis in the presence of at least one complex catalyst which comprises ruthenium and at least one at least bidental donor ligand, but no anionic ligands.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of alkoxylated polyalkylenepolyamines, comprising the following steps (a) homogeneously catalyzed alcohol amination, where aliphatic amino alcohols are reacted with one another or aliphatic diamines or polyamines are reacted with aliphatic diols or polyols with the elimination of water in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst to give polyalkylenepolyamines, (b) reaction of these polyalkylenepolyamines with alkylene oxides to give alkoxylated polyalkylenepolyamines. Specific alkoxylated polyalkylenepolyamines obtainable by such processes and alkoxylated polyalkylenepolyamines and processes for their preparation. Uses of alkoxylated polyalkylenepolyamines as detergent additives, dispersants, textile auxiliaries, wood protectants, corrosion inhibitors.

Abstract: Process for obtaining formic acid by thermal separation of a stream comprising formic acid and a tertiary amine (I), in which a liquid stream comprising formic acid, tertiary amine (I) and water is produced by combining tertiary amine (I) and a formic acid source in the presence of water, water and organic decomposition products of the tertiary amine (I) are removed and formic acid is removed by distillation from the resulting liquid stream in a distillation apparatus, wherein the stream comprising water and organic decomposition products of the tertiary amine (I) which have been separated off is separated into two liquid phases, the upper liquid phase is removed and the lower, water-comprising liquid phase is recirculated to the formic acid source.

Abstract: A process for preparing formic acid by reaction of carbon dioxide (1) with hydrogen (2) in a hydrogenation reactor (I) in the presence of a catalyst comprising an element of group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table, a tertiary amine comprising at least 12 carbon atoms per molecule and a polar solvent comprising one or more monoalcohols selected from among methanol, ethanol, propanols and butanols and also water, to form formic acid/amine adducts as intermediates which are subsequently thermally dissociated, with work-up of the output (3) from the hydrogenation reactor (I) in a plurality of process steps, where a tertiary amine-comprising stream (13) from the work-up is used as selective solvent for the catalyst, is proposed.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of primary amines which have at least one functional group of the formula (—CH2—NH2) by alcohol amination of starting materials which have at least one functional group of the formula (—CH2—OH), with ammonia, with the elimination of water, where the alcohol amination is carried out under homogeneous catalysis in the presence of at least one complex catalyst which comprises at least one element selected from groups 8 and 9 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and also at least one phosphorus donor ligand of the general formula (I).

Abstract: A process for preparing carboxylic acid derivatives of the formula H—(C?O)—R, R is OR1 or NR2R3, R1 is optionally substituted C1-C15-alkyl, C5-C10-cycloalkyl, C5-C10-heterocyclyl, C5-C10-aryl or C5-C10-heteroaryl, substituents are C1-C15-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C5-C10-cycloalkyl or C5-C10-aryl; R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C15-alkyl, C5-C10 cycloalkyl, C5-C10-heterocyclyl, C5-C10-aryl or C5-C10-heteroaryl, substituents are selected from the group consisting of C1-C15-alkyl, C5-C10-cycloalkyl and C5-C10-aryl or R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom form a five- or six-membered ring which optionally comprises one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S and N and bearing the substituent R4, R4 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl; by reacting a reaction mixture comprising carbon dioxide, hydrogen and an alcohol of the formula R1—OH or an amine of the formula NHR2R3 in the presence of a catalyst comprising gold at a pressure from 0.2 to 30 MPa and a temperature from 20 to 200° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyalkylenepolyamines by catalyzed alcohol amination, in which (i) aliphatic aminoalcohols are reacted with one another or (ii) aliphatic diamines or polyamines are reacted with aliphatic diols or polyols with the elimination of water in the presence of a catalyst.