Abstract: At least one alkanolamine is prepared by reacting ammonia with alkylene oxide in a reaction space in the presence of a catalyst to give monoalkanolamine or dialkanolamine or trialkanolamine or a mixture of two or three of these compounds, the distribution of the various alkanolamines within the product spectrum being controlled by means of the temperature in the reaction space, by a process in which the temperature is established by regulating the temperature profile in the reaction space.

Abstract: In a process for preparing 3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylamine (isophoronediamine, IPDA) having a cis/trans isomer ratio of at least 70/30 from 3-cyano-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexanone (isophoronenitrile, IPN), NH3 and H2, the hydrogenation is carried out at from 50 to 200° C. and a pressure of from 50 to 300 bar in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst having an alkali metal content of ?0.03% by weight, calculated as alkali metal oxide referring to the total weight of the catalyst. The alkali metal content is made up of the contents of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs; in particular, the alkali metal content is the Na content. A process for producing hydrogenation catalysts having an alkali metal content (in particular a sodium content) of ?0.03% by weight, calculated as alkali metal oxide/sodium oxide referring to the total weight of the catalyst, and the hydrogenation catalysts themselves are also provided by the invention.

Abstract: In a process for preparing 3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylamine (isophoronediamine, IPDA) having a cis/trans isomer ratio of at least 70/30 from 3-cyano-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexanone (isophoronenitrile, IPN), NH3 and H2, the hydrogenation is carried out at from 50 to 200° C. and a pressure of from 50 to 300 bar in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst having an alkali metal content of ≦0.03% by weight, calculated as alkali metal oxide referring to the total weight of the catalyst.

Abstract: At least one alkanolamine is prepared by reacting ammonia with alkylene oxide in a reaction space in the presence of a catalyst to give monoalkanolamine or dialkanolamine or trialkanolamine or a mixture of two or three of these compounds, the distribution of the various alkanolamines within the product spectrum being controlled by means of the temperature in the reaction space, by a process in which the temperature is established by regulating the temperature profile in the reaction space.

Abstract: A catalyst for the hydrogenation of unsaturated aliphatic compounds having a content of 20-70% w/w of nickel oxide, 25-45% w/w of zirconium oxide and 5-40% w/w of copper oxide, based on the oxidic, unreduced catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of saturated alcohols by catalytic hydrogenation of acetylenic alcohols at a temperature of from 50.degree. to 200.degree. C. and under a pressure of from 30 to 320 bar, wherein the catalyst used has a content of from 20 to 75% of nickel oxide, from 10 to 75% of zirconium dioxide and from 5 to 50% of copper oxide, by weight of the oxidic, unreduced catalyst.

Abstract: Medicinal white oils and medicinal paraffins are prepared from petroleum fractions containing aromatics and nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur compounds, e.g. light and heavy atmospheric gas oils, vacuum gas oils and residues, which have been pretreated in a first stage by acid treatment or catalytic hydrogenation, by hydrogenation in a second stage over a nickel-containing catalyst under from 50 to 200 bar and at elevated temperatures, by a process in which the catalyst used in the second stage and present in the oxide form is reduced with a hydrogen-containing gas, passivated and then again activated with hydrogen, before the hydrogenation to medicinal white oils or paraffins is carried out.

Abstract: Olefins are prepared by converting methanol and/or dimethyl ether in the presence of a zeolite catalyst at elevated temperatures by a process wherein the catalyst used is a borosilicate zeolite which has been molded together with an amorphous binder containing aluminum oxide and silicon dioxide. The advantage of using the borosilicate catalyst is that the yield of C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -olefins is improved at the expense of formation of higher hydrocarbons.