Abstract: A process for preparing a formulation containing tetrabutylammonium phenolate and phenol is disclosed. The process entails combining a solution of tetrabutylammonium bromide in phenol with a solution of sodium phenolate to form a mixture, excess phenol is removed by distillation, and sodium bromide is filtered off. The formulation, that contains tetrabutylammonium phenolate and phenol in a weight ratio of 40:60 to 70:30, has a solidification point of less than 25° C. and finds use as a catalyst constituent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the preparation of carboxylic acid benzyl esters from dibenzyl ethers, comprising reacting dibenzyl ethers with carboxylic acids in the presence of a homogeneous acidic catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the epoxidation of hydrocarbons. This process comprises reacting at least one hydrocarbon with oxygen or air or nitrous oxide or other gaseous oxidants, in the presence of a mixture comprising at least two elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Re, Fe, Co, Ni, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi and Se, on a support with a BET surface area of less than 200 m2/g. The present invention also relates to catalysts suitable for the epoxidation of hydrocarbons, wherein the catalyst comprises a mixture comprising at least two metals selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Re, Fe, Co, Ni, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi and Se, on a support with a BET surface area of less than 200 m2/g.

Abstract: Carboxylic benzyl esters can be prepared by reacting benzyl chloride with carboxylic acids in the presence of one or more quaternary ammonium carboxylates as catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the epoxidation of hydrocarbons using oxygen. Said method is characterized in that it is carried out in the presence of a mixture containing at least two metals from the group Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, In, Tl, Mn, Ce on a support with a BET surface area of less than 200 m2/g. The invention also relates to the use of a mixture containing at least two metals from the group Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, In, Tl, Mn, Ce on a support with a BET surface area of less than 200 m2/g for the epoxidation of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst for the epoxidation of hydrocarbons with oxygen, a process for the preparation of the catalyst, and a process for the epoxidation of hydrocarbons with oxygen in the presence of the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the work up of a reaction mixture obtained from the preparation of diaryl carbonate by direct carbonylation of aromatic hydroxy compounds is disclosed. The process entails obtaining a reaction mixture that contains diaryl carbonate, aromatic hydroxy compound, water, base and quaternary salt, separating the mixture in a distillation apparatus having only one theoretical separation stage into a liquid phase and a gas phase and recycling the liquid phase without further work up to the reaction step of the direct carbonylation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing carboxylic acid benzyl esters from dibenzyl ethers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the epoxidation of hydrocarbons. This process comprises reacting at least one hydrocarbon with oxygen or air or nitrous oxide or other gaseous oxidants, in the presence of a mixture comprising at least two elements selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Re, Fe, Co, Ni, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi and Se, on a support with a BET surface area of less than 200 m2/g. The present invention also relates to catalysts suitable for the epoxidation of hydrocarbons, wherein the catalyst comprises a mixture comprising at least two metals selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Re, Fe, Co, Ni, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi and Se, on a support with a BET surface area of less than 200 m2/g.

Abstract: A process for the production of an aromatic carbonate is disclosed. Accordingly, an aromatic hydroxy compound is reacted with carbon monoxide and oxygen in the presence of a platinum group metal catalyst, a co-catalyst, a base, and optionally a quaternary salt as well as an inert organic solvent. The reaction is carried out under conditions whereby the inert organic solvent forms an azeotrope with the water arising during the reaction. The azeotrope is then removed from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process for the work up of reaction mixtures containing diaryl carbonate, aromatic hydroxy compound, water, base and quaternary salt, which are obtained in the preparation of diaryl carbonates by direct carbonylation of aromatic hydroxy compounds, is described. In the process of the present invention an adduct of diaryl carbonate and aromatic hydroxy compound is crystallized from the reaction mixture. A distillate comprising aromatic hydroxy compound is removed from the liquid phase either prior to or after crystallization of the adduct of diaryl carbonate and aromatic hydroxy compound. The liquid phase remaining after the crystallization and distillation steps may be recycled, without further work up, back to the direct carbonylation process step by which the diaryl carbonate is initially prepared.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing and purifying tetrabutyl ammonium phenolate diphenol adduct by reacting an alkali phenolate with tetrabutyl ammonium salts in an aqueous phase and subsequently precipitating the adduct by adding phenol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of benzyl alcohol by hydrolysis of benzyl chloride with water at elevated temperatures, which avoids any wastewater pollution.

Abstract: A novel process for the preparation of benzyl alcohol by the hydrolysis of benzyl chloride, which operates with from 10 to 70 times the molar quantity of water at temperatures of from 80.degree. to 180.degree. C. and stops the reaction before complete conversion is reached, avoids both the addition of bases and water-soluble organic solvents and also the formation of sodium chloride.

Abstract: A process for the separation of a mixture which contains benzyl chloride, benzyl alcohol, dibenzyl ether and aqueous hydrochloric acid, wherein said mixture is continuously introduced via a side-feed into a distillation column from which aqueous hydrochloric acid and benzyl chloride are continuously taken off as overhead product, benzyl alcohol and dibenzyl ether are continuously taken off as bottom product, thereby the formation of dibenzyl ether is reduced or virtually prevented.