Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the work-up of acidic or basic ionic liquids (IL) of the general formula (I), [A]+(1/n)*[Y]???(I) where [A]+ is a quaternary ammonium cation and (1/n)*[Y]n? is one anion equivalent of an n-fold charged anion, which comprises adding a conjugate acid-base pair selected from among compounds of the formula (II), [A]+[X]???(II) where [A]+ has the meaning given for the ionic liquid and [X]? is a conjugate base to the ionic liquid (IL).

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated process for continuously preparing 1,4-butanediol, which comprises the following stages: (I) reacting formaldehyde with acetylene in the presence of a copper catalyst at a pH of from 5 to 8 and a molar ratio of formaldehyde to acetylene of at most 2:1, (II) intermediately buffering the resulting butynediol-containing aqueous mixture for from 0.1 to 100 h, (III) hydrogenating the mixture obtained after the intermediate buffering and (IV) distilling the hydrogenation product obtained in stage III to obtain 1,4-butanediol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for distillatively purifying crude aqueous 1,4-butanediol (1), in which 1,4-butanediol (5) freed of components having lower boiling points than 1,4-butanediol and water is passed through three distillation columns (III, IV, V), components having a higher boiling point than 1,4-butanediol are drawn off from the bottom of the first column and conducted into the third (7), 1,4-butanediol from the top of the first column (6) is conducted into the second, the bottom product of the second column (9) is conducted into the third, the top product of the third column (11) is recycled at least partly into the first column, wherein the very pure 1,4-butanediol is withdrawn from a side draw of the second column.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated process for continuously preparing 1,4-butanediol, which comprises the following stages: (I) reacting formaldehyde with acetylene in the presence of a copper catalyst at a pH of from 5 to 8 and a molar ratio of formaldehyde to acetylene of at most 2:1, (II) intermediately buffering the resulting butynediol-containing aqueous mixture for from 0.1 to 100 h, (III) hydrogenating the mixture obtained after the intermediate buffering and (IV) distilling the hydrogenation product obtained in stage III to obtain 1,4-butanediol.

Abstract: Processes for chemical reaction and separation in a column comprising, (a) providing one or more reactants to a column; and (b) carrying out at least partially superimposed reactive distillation and extractive distillation on the one or more reactants in the column to form a reaction product mixture comprising at least two components and separate at least one of the components; wherein an ionic liquid is present in the column.

Abstract: Process for working up a bottom stream wherein high boilers and ionic liquid from an extractive rectification in which the ionic liquid is used as entrainer. The process includes feeding the bottom stream to an evaporation stage which is operated at a pressure of less than 500 mbar or to a stripper which is operated through use of inert gas or steam, and the major part of the high boiler present is separated off in vapor form from the ionic liquid.

Abstract: Process for the work-up of a mixture comprising ionic liquids and a further substance, wherein the substance present is separated off by means of adsorptive separation processes.

Abstract: Process for the work-up of a mixture comprising ionic liquids and a further substance, wherein the substance present is separated off by means of adsorptive separation processes.