Abstract: 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-oxopiperidine is prepared from acetone and ammonia in the presence of catalytic amounts of active halogen compounds selected from sulfonylhalides, sulfurylhalides, N-haloamides, N-haloimides, .beta.-haloesters, .alpha.-haloketones, .alpha.-halohydroxy compounds, and .beta.-halonitriles.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing the aromatic compound 5-methyl-2-pyridone from the corresponding 3,4-dihydro compound by dehydrogenation using sulphur. Particular advantages are achieved by reaction at about 180.degree. C. or less. The product is useful as an intermediate for the preparation of various pyridyloxyphenoxy herbicides.

Abstract: Biphenol and para substituted alkyl benzene derivatives are produced in high yield and purity by heating alkyl benzene solvent solutions of tetraalkyl substituted 4,4'-biphenols in the presence of strong acid catalyst.

Abstract: 3,3',5,5'-tetraalkyl-4,4'-biphenols are prepared in high yields under relatively mild conditions by the hydrogenation of tetra-substituted diphenoquinones in alkyl benzene solvent solution.

Abstract: 4,4'-biphenol and tert-alkyl substituted alkyl benzene derivatives are produced by hydrogenating a tetraalkyl diphenoquinone in an alkyl benzene solvent solution under relatively mild conditions in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst, removing said catalyst from the resultant tetraalkyl biphenol and thereafter heating said alkyl benzene solvent solution in the presence of a strong acid catalyst to form relatively pure biphenol in high yields and a para substituted alkyl benzene derivative.

Abstract: A high yield process for the polyalkylation of hexitols and hexitol inner ethers is presented wherein aqueous dispersions of monoalkali metal alkoxides thereof in organic solvent are reacted with alkyl monohalides to first form the monoalkylated hexitols or hexitol inner ether and thereafter further alkylated by addition of reactants to form the completely alkylated derivative.

Abstract: Preparation of a compound of the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl of 1 to 12 carbons, from the compound of the following formula (II): ##STR2## by the steps of coupling (II) with 3,4-dichlorobenzotrifluoride; reacting the --NH.sub.2 and COOH groups with a COX.sub.2 compound, X being a leaving group, to produce a heterocycle; opening the heterocycle with an alkanesulphonamide; and oxidizing the resultant --NH.sub.2 group to an --NO.sub.2 to yield a compound of formula (I). Novel intermediates are also described. Compounds of formula (I) are useful as selective pre- and post-emergent herbicides.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of L-gulonic acid by catalytically hydrogenating D-glucuronic acid utilizing a ruthenium-based catalyst.

Abstract: Preparation of a compound of the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl of 1 to 12 carbons, from the compound of the following formula (II): ##STR2## by the steps of coupling (II) with 3,4-dichlorobenzotrifluoride; reacting the --NH.sub.2 and COOH groups with a COX.sub.2 compound, X being a leaving group, to produce a heterocycle; opening the heterocycle with an alkanesulphonamide; and oxidizing the resultant --NH.sub.2 group to an --NO.sub.2 to yield a compound of formula (I). Novel intermediates are also described. Compounds of formula (I) are useful as selective pre- and post-emergent herbicides.

Abstract: The invention comprises the preparation of a compound of the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl of 1 to 12 carbons, from the compound of the following formula (II): ##STR2## by the steps of coupling (II) with 3,4-dichlorobenzotrifluoride; reacting the --NH.sub.2 group with an XCOOR compound, X being a leaving group with R an organic moiety; oxidizing the --CH.sub.3 group to a --COOH group; cyclization to produce a heterocycle with loss --OR; opening the heterocycle with an alkanesulphonamide; and oxidizing the resultant --NH.sub.2 group to an NO.sub.2 to yield a compound of formula (I). Novel intermediates are also described. Compounds of formula (I) are useful as selective pre- and post-emergent herbicides.

Abstract: Sugar mixtures comprising glucose and either mannose, or both, are catalytically hydrogenated in aqueous solution containing 0.2-1.5% by weight (based on sugar) of sodium carbonate or other basic reacting alkali metal salt, yielding mannitol-rich solutions of sorbitol and mannitol. Hydrogenation is preferably carried out in two stages, the first at temperature of about 60.degree.-100.degree. C., the second at temperatures of about 110.degree.-160.degree. C.

Abstract: Mannitol-rich aqueous solutions of sorbitol and mannitol are prepared by a process which includes (1) epimerizing glucose in aqueous solution to obtain an epimerizate containing approximately 30 percent mannose and 70 percent glucose on the dry basis, (2) contacting this glucose-mannose epimerizate with a glucose isomerase enzyme to produce a glucose-fructose-mannose solution, and (3) hydrogenating this glucose-fructose-mannose solution to produce an aqueous solution of sorbitol and mannitol.

Abstract: Tetravalent manganese precipitated on porous carbon provide useful oxidation catalysts. They may be prepared by slurrying potassium permanganate and porous carbon under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: Regeneration of supported ruthenium catalysts. A supported ruthenium catalyst which has been used for conversion of carbohydrates to polyhydric alcohols is regenerated by contacting the catalyst with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid, such as sulfuric, hydrochloric, or phosphoric acid. Dilute acids, e.g., 0.01 N to 0.5 N, are preferred.

Abstract: Mannose is produced from a concentrated solution of glucose or polymers of glucose in the presence of a catalyst containing hexavalent molybdenum. Subsequent hydrogenation of the product in order to produce mannitol is also disclosed.

Abstract: A homogeneous hydrogenation process is disclosed. The process, which is useful in the preparation of hydrogenated derivatives of compounds having one of the following formulas ##STR1## wherein R is --Cl, --Br, --F, or --OH, comprises contacting a solution of one of these compounds with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a ruthenium triphenyl phosphine complex and a strong acid.

Abstract: Process for the conversion of carbohydrates to polyhydric alcohols. Carbohydrates, such as corn starch hydrolyzate, glucose, and invert sugar, are converted to polyhydric alcohols by hydrogenation at high pressure in the presence of a ruthenium-containing alumino-silicate zeolite catayst in which the silica/alumina mol ratio is greater than three, and in particular ruthenium on a Y type zeolite in the hydrogen form. This acid stable catalyst gives good conversion with high selectivity to sorbitol when corn starch hydrolyzate in aqueous solution is used as the starting material.

Abstract: Process for the conversion of carbohydrates to polyhydric alcohols. Carbohydrates, such as glucose and cornstarch hydrolyzate, are converted to polyhydric alcohols by hydrogenation at high pressure in the presence of a catalyst comprising ruthenium on a crystalline aluminosilicate clay. The clay is preferably acid treated and calcined prior to impregnation with ruthenium. Clays containing a major proportion of montmorillonite are preferred.

Abstract: A homogeneous hydrogenation process is disclosed. The process, which is useful in the preparation of hydrogenated derivatives of compounds selected from the group consisting of monosaccharides, disaccharides, trisaccharides, polysaccharides, corn starch hydrolyzate, and compounds represented by the formula RH.sub.2 C--CO--CH.sub.2 R wherein R is hydroxyl or halogen, comprises contacting a solution of one of these compounds with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a ruthenium triphenyl phosphine complex and a strong acid.