Abstract: Suggested are 1,2-alkanediols of formula (I) HOCH2—CH(OH)—R1 in which R1 stands for an alkyl radical having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, said diols being substantially free of lactones and/or peroxides.

Abstract: A process is proposed for producing 1,2-alkanediols in a solid dosing form, comprising or consisting of the following steps: (a) providing a melt of at least one 1,2-alkanediol; (b) cooling the melt from step (a) to a temperature below the melting point of the 1,2-alkanediol or of the 1,2-alkanediol mixture to obtain a prescratched melt consisting of a supercooled 1,2-alkanediol or a supercooled 1,2-alkanediol mixture having a content of 1,2-alkanediol seed crystals; (c) contacting the mixture from step (b) with a cooled surface to obtain 1,2-alkanediols or 1,2-alkanediol mixtures in crystalline form.

Abstract: Suggested is a cosmetic or pharmaceutical or detergent composition comprising 1,2 pentanediol, wherein said 1,2-pentanediol is obtained from a process comprising the following steps: (a) providing at least one starting material selected from furfuryl alcohol and furfural; (b) reacting at least one of said starting materials with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst to form 1,2-pentanediol, wherein said heterogeneous catalyst comprises: one or more metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, palladium and iridium in metallic form and/or one or more compounds of metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, palladium and iridium; and one or more support materials selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, and silicon carbide; and (c) removing the 1,2-pentanediol thus obtained from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Suggested are 1,2-alkanediols of formula (I) HOCH2—CH(OH)—R1 in which R1 stands for an alkyl radical having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, said diols being substantially free of lactones and/or peroxides.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic double bond isomerisation of alkenyl alkoxybenzenes [alkoxy-substituted (2-alkenyl)-benzenes] (with a non-conjugated double bond in the alkenyl group) of formula A in the presence of a catalytically active quantity of alkali and/or alkaline earth C1-C6 alcoholates to the corresponding alkenyl alkoxybenzenes [alkoxy-substituted (1-alkenyl)-benzenes] (with a double bond in the alkenyl group which is conjugated with the benzene ring) of formula B is described