Abstract: The present invention relates to diarylphenoxyaluminum compounds which are obtainable by reacting a bis(diarylphenol) ligand of the formula (I) with an alkylaluminum compound and/or a complex aluminum hydride. The invention moreover relates to the use of such diarylphenoxyaluminum compounds as catalysts. Moreover, the invention relates to a method of producing isopulegol by cyclization of citronellal in the presence of diarylphenoxyaluminum compounds as catalysts. The invention also relates to a method of producing menthol by cyclization of citronellal in the presence of diarylphenoxyaluminum compounds as catalysts and subsequent hydrogenation.

Abstract: Knee-joint bandage of elastic textile material, the knee-joint bandage being provided with a specially shaped insert surrounding the kneecap in a cutout. The specially shaped insert being covered by an overlay of identical or similar textile material attached to the textile material with the specially shaped insert being associated with a flexible, non-expandable tensioning member. The tensioning member connecting the regions of the kneecap poles on the fibula side in an arc around the kneecap such that, when the distance between the regions increases during bending of the knee joint, the distance of the arc from the connecting line between the kneecap poles is reduced and the tensioning member presses on the adjacent side of the kneecap, medially displacing and centering the latter, wherein the tensioning member is attached to the overlay in such a manner that, during bending of the knee joint and stretching of the overlay, the tensioning member displaces the kneecap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of saturated nitrites by catalytic hydrogenation of the corresponding olefinically unsaturated compounds in the presence of a supported transition metal catalyst at a pressure of from 1 to 95 bar. Specifically, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of tetrahydrogeranonitrile (3,7-dimethyloctanenitrile) by catalytic hydrogenation of geranonitrile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diarylphenoxyaluminum compounds which are obtainable by reacting a bis(diarylphenol) ligand of the formula (I) with an alkylaluminum compound and/or a complex aluminum hydride. The invention moreover relates to the use of such diarylphenoxyaluminum compounds as catalysts. Moreover, the invention relates to a method of producing isopulegol by cyclization of citronellal in the presence of diarylphenoxyaluminum compounds as catalysts. The invention also relates to a method of producing menthol by cyclization of citronellal in the presence of diarylphenoxyaluminum compounds as catalysts and subsequent hydrogenation.

Abstract: Knee-joint bandage of elastic textile material, said knee-joint bandage being provided with a specially shaped insert surrounding the kneecap in a cutout, said specially shaped insert being covered by an overlay of identical or similar textile material attached to said textile material, the specially shaped insert being associated with a flexible, non-expandable tensioning member, said tensioning member connecting the regions of the kneecap poles on the fibula side in an arc around the kneecap such that, when the distance between said regions increases during bending of the knee joint, the distance of the arc from the connecting line between the kneecap poles is reduced and the tensioning member presses on the adjacent side of the kneecap, medially displacing and centering the latter, wherein the tensioning member is attached to the overlay in such a manner that, during bending of the knee joint and stretching of the overlay, the tensioning member displaces the kneecap.

Abstract: A method for producing composite particles in which superparamagnetic iron oxide particles having a diameter of less than 30 nm are contained in a polysiloxane matrix comprising functional groups. The composite particles obtained by the method are suitable for magnetic separation methods.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heat and humidity exchange between two air streams, one hot and one humid. A first of the air streams is fed from the interior of a building to the ambient air and a second of the air streams is fed from the ambient air to the interior of the building. The first air stream is cooled and transferred through a heat exchanger, to a heater and a dehumidifier before being exhausted to the ambient air. The second air stream is transferred through the dehumidifier and the heat exchanger, whereupon it is cooled in a cooling device before being transferred into the interior to the building. Before being fed to the dehumidifier, the second air stream is caused to exchange heat and humidity with the first air stream before the latter is fed into the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Rigid PVC resins are compounded with a chalk-like Caribbean micritic calcium carbonate to provide improved weathering resistance of rigid PVC articles subjected to external exposures of heat and sunlight. The effective resistance to heat and sunlight is substantially increased by rigid PVC resins compounded with European chalk and Caribbean micritic calcium carbonate, zinc dialkyl ester scavenger and organotin stabilizer to provide considerably increased PVC degradation resistance.

Abstract: The compounds are (+)- and (−)-2-cyclododecylpropanol and (+)- and (−)-2-cyclododecylpropionic acid, and salts thereof. (−)-2-cyclododecylpropanol is suitable as a fragrance while the virtually odorless (+) enantiomer is suitable as a fixative for other fragrances. The two enantiomers of 2-cyclododecylpropanol are prepared by reduction of the acid function of the enantiomers of 2-cyclododecylpropionic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for heat and humidity exchange between two air streams, one of which being hot and humid, wherein a first of said air streams is fed from the interior of a building to the ambient air and a second of said air streams is fed from said ambient air to the interior of said building, whereby said first air stream is cooled and thereafter transferred through a heat exchanger (21), whereupon it is transferred to a heater (22) and thereafter transferred through a dehumidifier (23) before being exhausted to the ambient air, whereas said second air stream is transferred through said dehumidifier (23) and thereafter through said heat exchanger (21), whereupon it is cooled in a cooling device before being transferred into the interior to said building. According to the invention said second air stream, before being fed to said dehumidifier, is caused to exchange heat and humidity with said first air stream before the latter is fed into said heat exchanger (21).

Abstract: The present invention relates to (+)− and (−)-2-cyclododecylpropanol and (+)− and (−)-2-cyclododecylpropionic acid, to salts thereof, and to the preparation and use thereof.

Abstract: The process for the preparation of carbonyl compounds of the formula I where R1 and R2 are a hydrocarbon radical, or R1 and R2 together are an unsubstituted or substituted alkylene group, and X is ═O or two alkoxy groups, comprises oxidizing alcohols of the formula II  where R1 to R2 and X are as defined above, with oxygen in the gaseous phase a) at temperatures of from 270 to 600° C. on silver coated catalysts which comprise an abrasion-resistant coating of metallic silver on a core of inert support material, or b) at temperatures of from 450 to 750° C. on silver crystals and/or copper crystals having a particle size of from 0.1 to 2.5 mm for a residence time of at most 0.1 second. Also claimed is an advantageous overall process for the preparation of &agr;-diketones, preferably diacetal, from the corresponding ketone, in particular methyl ethyl ketone, via the carbonyl compounds of the formula I where X is two alkoxy groups.

Abstract: The separator (1) has a tubular inlet opening (2) and two tubular outlet openings (3, 4) which are connected with one another in a flow-carrying manner. A separating device (6) is disposed in the flow direction (5) between the inlet opening (2) and the outlet openings (3, 4). One of the outlet openings (3) carries substantially only separated liquid and the other outlet opening (4) carries substantially only gas freed of liquid. An outer tube (7) surrounds an inner tube (8) with an all-around space between them. The inner tube (8) is connected at one end to the inlet opening (2) in a flow-carrying manner, and at the other end is associated with the outlet opening (3) for the separated liquid.

Abstract: The process for the preparation of carbonyl compounds of the formula I where R1 and R2 are a hydrocarbon radical, or R1 and R2 together are an unsubstituted or substituted alkylene group, and X is=O or two alkoxy groups, comprises oxidizing alcohols of the formula II where R1 to R2 and X are as defined above, with oxygen in the gaseous phase a) at temperatures of from 270 to 600° C. on silver coated catalysts which comprise an abrasion-resistant coating of metallic silver on a core of inert support material, or b) at temperatures of from 450 to 750° C. on silver crystals and/or copper crystals having a particle size of from 0.1 to 2.5 mm for a residence time of at most 0.1 second. Also claimed is an advantageous overall process for the preparation of &agr;-diketones, preferably diacetal, from the corresponding ketone, in particular methyl ethyl ketone, via the carbonyl compounds of the formula I where X is two alkoxy groups.

Abstract: A method for influencing the roll response of motor vehicles having at least three wheels, the method using transverse forces acting on the center of gravity to reduce vehicle body motion. A two-part stabilizer for a vehicle axle, in which a hydraulic actuator is integrated, and which can twist the two stabilizer halves with respect to one another, is used. The moment introduced into the stabilizer is transferred to the respective knuckles via the stabilizer leg. A roll moment resulting from the transverse force acting on the vehicle is compensated by this moment. Roll behavior with respect to accuracy and speed of response is improved.

Abstract: A regulating valve comprising a housing having a cylindrical valve chamber, the valve chamber being provided with at least one inlet and at least two outlets, the inlet and the outlets being at least partially closeable as needed by a common valve body arranged in the valve chamber and rotatable around an axis, the valve body being operable by an actuator, the inlet and/or at least one of the outlets being surrounded by a sealing device on the side of the housing facing the valve body and the sealing device being able to be brought into sealing engagement with the valve body under elastic preload. The valve body is designed having the shape of the segment of a cylinder and is bounded on the peripheral side by two boundary surfaces which each have an edge on the side facing the housing, the edge overtravelling the inlet during its opening being designed as an efflux edge and having an elliptically shaped recess extending in axial direction.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyenecarbonyl compounds having a high all-E content and their acetals or ketals by aldol condensation or Horner-Emmons reaction comprises carrying out the reaction, for the purposes of the preferred formation of a double bond of E configuration and in order to maintain the E configuration of the double bonds in the stating compounds as completely as possible, in the presence of oxygen or an oxygen-inert gas mixture or nitric oxide or a nitric oxide-inert gas mixture and/or in the presence of specific stable radicals and/or in the presence of quinones or quinone derivatives.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkyl esters of 0,0-dialkyl-4-phosphono-2-methyl-2-butenoic acid containing a high percentage of E isomers, wherein the corresponding alkyl esters of 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-butenoic acid are caused to react with PBr.sub.3 or PCl.sub.3 at temperatures ranging from 0.degree. to 80.degree. C. in the absence of pyridine and, if desired, the resulting mixture comprising predominantly alkyl esters of 4-halo-2-methyl-2-butenoic acid is caused to react with trialkyl esters of phosphorous acid at temperatures ranging from 70.degree. to 140.degree. C. The end products are desirable C.sub.5 building blocks for polyene syntheses or preceding stages.

Abstract: Phosphonic esters I ##STR1## (A is an aromatic radical or an .alpha., .beta.-olefinically unsaturated group and R.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl or phenyl) are prepared by subjecting a phosphite II ##STR2## to a rearrangement reaction in the presence of a catalytic amount of a halide ion-donating compound to give I. The compounds I are used as intermediates for organic syntheses, in particular for the synthesis of polyenes.

Abstract: Improved process for the preparation of astaxanthin by Wittig reaction of 2 mol of 3-methyl-5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-3-oxo-4-hydroxy-1-cyclohexenyl)-2,4-pentadieny ltriarylphosphonium salts with one mol of 2,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienedial avoiding the use of halohydrocarbons as solvents.