Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a decrystallized cellulose having a reduced cellulose I-type crystallinity from a cellulose-containing raw material in an efficient manner with an excellent productivity. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for producing a decrystallized cellulose from a raw material comprising at least 20% by weight, based on the weight of the raw material excluding water contained therein, of a cellulose having a cellulose I-type crystallinity of more than 33% as calculated from the following formula: Cellulose I-type Crystallinity (%)=[(I22.6?I18.5)/I22.6]×100 wherein I22.6 is a diffraction intensity of a lattice plane (002 plane) as measured at a diffraction angle 2? of 22.6° in X-ray diffraction analysis; and I18.5 is a diffraction intensity of an amorphous moiety as measured at a diffraction angle 2? of 18.

Abstract: A process for producing saccharide, including saccharifying decrystallized cellulose prepared from a raw material containing cellulose having cellulose I-type crystallinity of more than 33%, the process including: treating the cellulose-containing raw material by means of a mill to reduce the cellulose I-type crystallinity of the cellulose to 33% or less, wherein the cellulose-containing raw material has a cellulose content of a residue obtained by removing water from the cellulose-containing raw material of 20% by weight or more, to thereby prepare decrystallized cellulose, and causing a cellulase and/or a hemicellulase to act on the decrystallized cellulose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a decrystallized cellulose having a reduced cellulose I-type crystallinity from a cellulose-containing raw material in an efficient manner with an excellent productivity. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for producing a decrystallized cellulose from a raw material containing a cellulose having a cellulose I-type crystallinity of more than 33% as calculated from the following formula: Cellulose I-type Crystallinity (%)=[(I22.6?I18.5)/I22.6]×100 wherein I22.6 is a diffraction intensity of a lattice plane (002 plane) as measured at a diffraction angle 2? of 22.6° in X-ray diffraction analysis; and I18.5 is a diffraction intensity of an amorphous moiety as measured at a diffraction angle 2? of 18.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an o/w emulsion, which comprises mixing together a high molecular compound carrying at least on side chains thereof groups represented by the following formula (1): —(OX)n-E2-R??(1) wherein n “X”s may be the same or different and each independently represents a linear or branched, divalent, saturated C1-6 hydrocarbon group, n stands for a number of from 5 to 300, E2 represents an ether bond or an oxycarbonyl group (—OCO— or —COO—), and R represents a linear or branched, C4-30 alkyl group which may be substituted by hydroxyl group(s), an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polyol, and a hydrophobic compound, and diluting a resulting mixture with water, and the o/w emulsion obtained by the preparation process. The emulsion according to the present invention is excellent in touch feeling to the skin and is good in stability.

Abstract: Provided is a catalyst for adding a glycidyl ether to an active hydrogen-containing organic compound, comprising a complex oxide of magnesium and at least one element other than magnesium selected from the group consisting of the elements in the third period and the fourth period in the periodic table. Also provided is a process for producing a glycidyl ether adduct, which comprises subjecting an active hydrogen-containing organic compound and a glycidyl ether to an addition reaction in the presence of the above-mentioned catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an o/w emulsion, which comprises mixing together a high molecular compound carrying at least on side chains thereof groups represented by the following formula (1):

Abstract: Provided is a catalyst for adding a glycidyl ether to an active hydrogen-containing organic compound, comprising a complex oxide of magnesium and at least one element other than magnesium selected from the group consisting of the elements in the third period and the fourth period in the periodic table. Also provided is a process for producing a glycidyl ether adduct, which comprises subjecting an active hydrogen-containing organic compound and a glycidyl ether to an addition reaction in the presence of the above-mentioned catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to a palladium catalyst comprising a mesoporous aluminosilicate which has been treated with ammonia or a salt thereof, and palladium supported on said mesoporous aluminosilicate; and also to a process for producing an ether, which comprises reacting a cyclic acetal and hydrogen in the presence of the palladium catalyst.

Abstract: Polysaccharide derivatives derived from a polysaccharide or a derivative thereof by substituting a part or all of the hydrogen atoms of the hydroxyl groups of the polysaccharide or the derivative thereof with the groups represented by the following formula (1): —E1—(OA)n—E2—R  (1) wherein E1 represents a divalent saturated C1-6 hydrocarbon group which may be substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups or oxo groups, n stands for a number of from 8 to 300, n numbers of As may be the same or different and each independently represent a divalent saturated C1-6 hydrocarbon group, E2 represents an ether bond or an oxycarbonyl group, and R represents a C4-30 alkyl group which may be substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups, in which the H(s) of one or more hydroxy groups in each of said groups (1) may be further substituted with the groups (1); thickeners and emulsifiers comprising these polysaccharide derivatives; as well as aqueous compositions containing said polysacchari

Abstract: A process for producing a monoalkyl ether which comprises a first step of contacting the following components (A) and (B):(A): an aqueous liquid phase containing: (a1) a C3-6 polyol having 3 or 4 hydroxyl groups, a palladium compound, a water-soluble tertiary phosphine or phosphite, and water; or (a2) a C3-6 polyol having 3 to 4 hydroxyl groups, a complex of palladium and a water-soluble tertiary phosphine or phosphite, and water, and (B): an oily liquid phase containing a conjugated diene, to give an alkadienyl ether containing an alkadienyl group resulting from dimerization of conjugated dienes; and a second step of hydrogenating the alkadienyl group in the alkadienyl ether in a hydrogen atmosphere in the presence of a catalyst containing an element selected from the Groups 8 to 10 elements of the periodic table. According to the process of the invention, monoalkyl ethers of polyols are produced selectively in a simple manner and advantageously from the economical viewpoint.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple and inexpensive process for preparing glycerol carbonate. Namely, according to the present invention, glycerol carbonate is prepared by reacting glycerol with urea.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing an alcohol derivative, where the alcohol derivative is an ester, acetal, ketal, ether glycoside, or alkyl glycoside, by reacting an alcohol with a carbonyl compound, alcohol, olefin, epoxy compound or saccharide, where C2-4 vicinal alkylene oxides are excluded, in the presence of (A) an aluminum alkoxide and (B) sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid.

Abstract: A process for producing a monoalkyl ether which comprises a first step of contacting the following components (A) and (B):(A): an aqueous liquid phase containing: (a1) a C3-6 polyol having 3 or 4 hydroxyl groups, a palladium compound, a water-soluble tertiary phosphine or phosphite, and water; or (a2) a C3-6 polyol having 3 to 4 hydroxyl groups, a complex of palladium and a water-soluble tertiary phosphine or phosphite, and water, and (B): an oily liquid phase containing a conjugated diene, to give an alkadienyl ether containing an alkadienyl group resulting from dimerization of conjugated dienes; and a second step of hydrogenating the alkadienyl group in the alkadienyl ether in a hydrogen atmosphere in the presence of a catalyst containing an element selected from the Groups 8 to 10 elements of the periodic table.

Abstract: An aluminum compounds represented by the following general formula (1): Al(R1—SO3)1(R2)m(R3)n   (1) wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group which may be substituted, R2 is a hydrocarbon group which may be substituted, an aliphatic hydrocarbonoxy group which may be substituted, or a halogen atom, R3 is an aromatic hydrocarbonoxy group which may be substituted, and 1, m and n are independently a number of 0 to 3, with the proviso that 1+m+n equals 3, and 1 is not 0, an acid catalyst comprising the aluminum compound, and a process for producing an ester, acetal, ketal, ether or alkyl glycoside making use of the catalyst. The catalyst is suitable for use in a variety of acid-catalyzed reactions of alcohols, i.e., reactions with carbonyl compounds, such as esterification, transesterification, acetalization and ketalization, etherification, ring-opening reactions of epoxy compounds, etc.

Abstract: A polysaccharide derivative prepared by replacing all or part of the hydroxyl hydrogen atoms of a polysaccharide or polysaccharide derivative by (A) a hydrophobic substituent having a C.sub.8 -C.sub.43 hydrocarbon chain as the partial structure and (B) an ionic hydrophilic substituent having at least one member selected from the group consisting of sulfonic, carboxyl phosphoric, and sulfate groups and salts thereof as the partial structure, wherein the average degree of replacement by the substituent (A) is 0.0001 or above but below 0.001 per constituent monosaccharide residue as determined by Zeisel's method or the diazomethane method and that by the substituent (B) is 0.01 to 2.0 per constituent monosaccharide residue as determined by colloidal titration. This polysaccharide derivative is useful as the admixture for hydraulic materials and can give stable hydraulic compositions excellent in dispersion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amine derivative represented by the following general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 mean individually an alkyl or alkenyl group which may have --OH and has 1-24 carbon atoms, A denotes an alkylene or alkenylene group which may have at least one --OH, --COOH or --SO.sub.3 H and has 1-6 carbon atoms, y.sup.1 is --COOH, --SO.sub.3 H or --OSO.sub.3 H, y.sup.2 means --OH, --OSO.sub.3 H or --OCO--A--COOH, n stands for a number of 0 or 1, and p is an integer of 1-8, or a salt or quaternized product thereof, and a detergent composition containing such a compound. This compound is low in irritativeness to the skin and hair and excellent in foamability, and can give a pleasant feeling to the user's skin and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a polysaccharide derivative obtainable by substituting a part or the whole of hydrogen atoms of hydroxyl groups in a polysaccharide or a derivative thereof by the following substituents (A) and (B):(A) a hydrophobic group containing a C.sub.10 -C.sub.40 alkyl, alkenyl or acyl group which may be substituted by an --OH group or into which an oxycarbonyl group (--COO-- or --OCO--) may be introduced; and(B) a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 sulfoalkyl group which may be substituted by an --OH group, or a salt thereof, wherein average degrees of substitution by the substituents (A) and (B) per monosaccharide residue are 0.001-1.0 and 0.01-2.0, respectively; a preparation process thereof; and use of the polysaccharide derivative for a thickener for cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: An amide represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are C1-C24 alkyl, etc.; B is C2-C10 alkylene, etc.; A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 are C1-C6 alkylene, etc.; Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 are ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 are C1-C4 alkyl, etc., and X.sup.1 is halogen; or a salt of the amide and detergent compositions containing the amide or salt are mild to the skin or hair, provide a pleasant sensation to the skin or hair, and have excellent latherability and emulsion stability. These compounds are useful as components of various detergents and cosmetic compositions, emulsifiers, and conditioners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amine derivative represented by the following general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 mean individually an alkyl or alkenyl group which may have --OH and has 1-24 carbon atoms, A denotes an alkylene or alkenylene group which may have at least one --OH, --COOH or --SO.sub.3 H and has 1-6 carbon atoms, Y.sup.1 is --COOH, --SO.sub.3 H or --OSO.sub.3 H, Y.sup.2 means --OH, --OSO.sub.3 H or --OCO--A--COOH, n stands for a number of 0 or 1, and p is an integer of 1-8, or a salt or quaternized product thereof, and a detergent composition containing such a compound. This compound is low in irritativeness to the skin and hair and excellent in foamability, and can give a pleasant feeling to the user's skin and the like.

Abstract: An amide represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are C1-C24 alkyl, etc.; B is C2-C10 alkylene, etc.; A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 are C1-C6 alkylene, etc.; Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 are ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 are C1-C4 alkyl, etc., and X.sup.1 is halogen; or a salt of the amide and detergent compositions containing the amide or salt are mild to the skin or hair, provide a pleasant sensation to the skin or hair, and have excellent latherability and emulsion stability. These compounds are useful as components of various detergents and cosmetic compositions, emulsifiers, and conditioners.