Abstract: Grafted, crosslinked cellulosic materials include cellulose fibers and polymer chains composed of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated acid group-containing monomer (such as acrylic acid) grafted thereto, in which one or more of said cellulose fibers and said polymer chains are crosslinked (such as by intra-fiber chain-to-chain crosslinks). Some of such materials are characterized by a wet bulk of about 10.0-17.0 cm3/g, an IPRP value of about 1000 to 7700 cm2/MPa·sec, and/or a MAP value of about 7.0 to 38 cm H2O. Methods for producing such materials may include grafting polymer chains from a cellulosic substrate, followed by treating the grafted material with a crosslinking agent adapted to effect crosslinking of one or more of the cellulosic substrate or the polymer chains. Example crosslinking mechanisms include esterfication reactions, ionic reactions, and radical reactions, and example crosslinking agents include pentaerythritol, homopolymers of the graft species monomer, and hyperbranched polymers.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of producing acrylic acid from bPL. Such methods involve the use of a heterogeneous catalyst, such as a zeolite at vapor phase conditions. The method may use a fixed bed, moving bed or fluidized contacting zone as the reactor configurations.

Abstract: Methods for catalytically dehydrating hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxypropionic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof to acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof with high yield and selectivity and without significant conversion to undesired side products, such as, acetaldehyde, propionic acid, and acetic acid, are provided. The catalysts are mixed condensed phosphates.

Abstract: Methods for catalytically dehydrating hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxypropionic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof to acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof with high yield and selectivity and without significant conversion to undesired side products, such as, acetaldehyde, propionic acid, and acetic acid, are provided. The catalysts are mixed monophosphates.

Abstract: A method of producing an ethylenically unsaturated, typically, an ?, ? ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester is described. The method comprises the steps of contacting formaldehyde, or a source of formaldehyde, with a carboxylic acid or ester in the presence of a catalyst and optionally in the presence of an alcohol. The catalyst comprises barium phosphate leaf or plate shaped/like crystals, or a source thereof. A catalyst system is also described. The catalyst system comprises a crystalline barium phosphate catalyst and optionally a catalyst support.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods that utilize polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as a substrate for further conversion to C4 and C5 compounds. Polyhydroxyalkanoates can undergo esterification to yield alkyl hydroxyalkanoates and alkyl alkenoates, which may serve as useful precursors in the production of alkadienes and alkenedioic acids, including for example butadiene and butenedioic acid.

Abstract: A catalytic process for dehydration of an aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol to its corresponding olefin is disclosed. The process continuously flows through a reaction zone a liquid phase containing an aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol to contact a non-volatile acid catalyst at a reaction temperature and pressure to at least partially convert the aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol in the liquid phase to its corresponding olefin. The reaction pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure and the reaction temperature is above the boiling point of the olefin at reaction pressure, but below the critical temperature of the alcohol, and the olefin product is substantially in the gaseous phase. After the contacting step, the olefin containing gaseous phase is separated from the liquid phase. The invention also relates to catalytic processes such as a hydrolysis of an olefin to an alcohol, an esterification, a transesterification, a polymerization, an aldol condensation or an ester hydrolysis.

Abstract: A method for producing ?-, ?-unsaturated carboxylic acid esters in high yield from reaction by-product streams via the catalytic conversion of the by-products to additional ?-, ?-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester product. The catalyst comprises cesium, and phosphorous as a promoter, on a porous support.

Abstract: An L-type zeolite, a modified L-type zeolite, or any combination thereof may be useful in catalytically preparing ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acids and/or esters thereof through reaction pathways that include dehydroxylation reactions and optionally esterification reactions. In some reaction pathways, dehydroxylation reactions and esterification reactions may be performed sequentially or concurrently.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing an acrylate product comprising the step of reacting a reaction gas mixture A comprising methanol and oxygen to form a product gas mixture A. The process may further comprise the step of combining at least a portion of the product gas mixture A and acetic acid to form a reaction gas mixture B. The process may further comprise the step of reacting at least a portion of the acetic acid in the reaction gas input mixture B with at least a portion of the formaldehyde in the reaction gas input mixture B to form a product gas mixture B. The process may further comprise the step of separating at least a portion of the product gas mixture B to form an alkylenating agent stream comprising at least 1 wt % alkylenating agent and an intermediate acrylate product stream comprising acrylate product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a methylene malonate monomer that includes the steps of reacting a malonic acid ester with a source of formaldehyde optionally in the presence of an acidic or basic catalyst and optionally in the presence of an acidic or non-acidic solvent to form reaction complex. The reaction is optionally performed in the presence of or contacted with an energy transfer means such as a heat transfer agent, a heat transfer surface, a source of radiation or a laser such that reaction complex is substantially vaporized to produce a vapor phase comprising methylene malonate monomer which may be isolated. The present invention further provides methylene malonate monomers prepared by the method of the invention, as well as compositions and products formed from the methylene malonate monomers, including monomer-based products (e.g., inks, adhesives, coatings, sealants or reactive molding) and polymer-based products (e.g.

Abstract: Processes for the catalytic dehydration of hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxypropionic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof to acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof with high yield and selectivity and without significant conversion to undesired side products, such as, acetaldehyde, propanoic acid, and acetic acid, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method of optically active 3-substituted-3-formyl-2-hydroxypropanoic acid compound (4), which includes a step of reacting glyoxylic acid compound (1-1) or (1-2) with aldehyde (2) in the presence of optically active pyrrolidine compound (3); wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of valerolactone, said process comprising reacting levulinic acid with hydrogen by using a solid Ru catalyst, characterized in that the process is carried out in the presence of at least 0.08% (w/w) water relative to the amount of levulinic acid. Said process may be faster and more selective. This process advantageously allows the production of valerolactone from renewable sources. The valerolactone may be used in the preparation of methylpentenoate, adipic acid dimethylester, adipic acid, hexamethylenediamine, and polyamide 6,6 (all claimed).

Abstract: Disclosed is (1) a mixture of fluoroalkyl alcohol-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives represented by the general formulae: CF3(CF2)n(CH?CF)a(CF2CF2)b(CH2CH2)c OCOCR?CH2 and CF3(CF2)n?1(CF?CH)a CF2(CF2CF2)b(CH2CH2)cOCOCR?CH2, wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, n is an integer of 1 to 5, a is an integer of 1 to 4, b is an integer of 0 to 3, and c is an integer of 1 to 3; (2) a fluorine-containing polymer containing the mixture as a polymerization unit; and (3) a water- and oil-repellent comprising the fluorine-containing polymer as an active ingredient. The fluoroalkyl alcohol-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives are produced by an esterification reaction of a mixture of fluoroalkyl alcohols represented by the general formulae: CF3(CF2)n(CH?CF)a(CF2CF2)b(CH2CH2)cOH and CF3(CF2)n?1(CF?CH)aCF2(CF2CF2)b, (CH2CH2)cOH, with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of valerolactone, said process comprising reacting levulinic acid with hydrogen by using a solid Ru catalyst, characterised in that the process is carried out in the presence of at least 0.08% (w/w) water relative to the amount of levulinic acid. Said process may be faster and more selective. This process advantageously allows the production of valerolactone from renewable sources. The valerolactone may be used in the preparation of methylpentenoate, adipic acid dimethylester, adipic acid, hexamethylenediamine, and polyamide 6,6 (all claimed).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing (meth)acrylic acid, characterized in that a cyclic ester is converted to (meth)acrylic acid in the presence of a catalyst. The (meth)acrylic acid prepared can in particular be converted to (meth)acrylates.

Abstract: An ?-trifluoromethyl-?,?-unsaturated ester can be produced by reacting an ?-trifluoromethyl-?-hydroxy ester with sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) in the presence of an organic base. It is preferable that the raw substrate has a hydrogen atom as one ?-position substituent group and either an alkyl group, a substituted alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a substituted alkenyl group, an aromatic ring group or a substituted aromatic ring group as the other ?-position substituent group. It is more preferable that an ester moiety of the raw substrate is an alkyl ester. This raw substrate is readily available. Further, the desired reaction can proceed favorably with the use of this raw substrate. It is also preferable to use either 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) or 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) as the organic base. The desired reaction can proceed more favorably with the use of this organic base.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of ?,?-unsaturated acids, esters and amides from ?- or ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids or esters or precursors in high yields and high selectivity. The ?,?-unsaturated acids or esters are optionally prepared in the presence of specific dehydration and/or esterification catalysts. The ?,?-unsaturated amides or substituted amides are prepared optionally in the presence of a dehydration and/or amidation catalyst. The source of ?- or ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids or precusor is preferably from a renewable resource. The precursor is defined herein.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for conversion of salts of ?-hydroxy carbonyl compounds forming useful conversion products including, e.g., ?,?-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and/or salts of ?,?-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Conversion products find use, e.g., as feedstock and/or end-use chemicals.

Abstract: A process for converting a salt of a hydroxycarboxylic acid to an unsaturated carboxylic acid, or esters thereof. The process involves converting an ammonium salt of a hydroxycarboxylic acid in aqueous solution to a corresponding hydroxycarboxylic acid and ammonium cation in aqueous solution; and separating the ammonium cation from the aqueous solution, leaving the hydroxycarboxylic acid in aqueous solution. The converting and separating steps may be accomplished by employing a hydrophobic acid or an acid ion exchange resin, each of which must have an acid dissociation constant, i.e., pKa, at least 0.5 less that that of the salt of the hydroxycarboxylic acid. Where a hydrophobic acid is used, it must be immiscible in water, and its salt must also be immiscible in water, and the resulting multi-phase solution comprises an aqueous phase comprising the corresponding hydroxycarboxylic acid, as well as a non-aqueous phase comprising a neutralized acid.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming an alpha, beta-unsaturated compound. A carboxylic acid is mixed with an alpha-hydroxy acid or an alpha-hydroxy ester and is esterified to form an alpha-acyloxy derivative. The alpha-acyloxy derivative is transformed into an alpha, beta-unsaturated derivative. The invention additionally includes a process of forming an acrylate. Lactic acid or a lactic acid ester is reacted with a first portion of acetic acid in the presence of a first catalyst to produce the corresponding 2-acetoxy propionic acid or ester. A non-reacted portion of the acetic acid is recycled. The 2-acetoxy propionic acid or ester is transferred to a second vessel containing a second catalyst, and acetic acid is liberated from the 2-acetoxy propionic acid or ester to produce a corresponding acrylic acid or acrylate ester. The acid or ester is subsequently esterified by reaction with an alcohol to form a desired acrylate ester.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of water-soluble polymers of esters of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids and polyalkylene glycols by azeotropic esterification, in the presence of organic solvents which form an azeotrope with water, of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids with polyalkylene oxides which are capped at one end by end groups, to a degree of at least 85 wt %, followed by free-radical polymerization of the resulting esters optionally together with other ethylenically unsaturated monomers, in aqueous medium, wherein the organic solvents are removed by azeotropic distillation from the reaction mixture during polymerization and the water that is removed by distillation is recycled or the quantity of water removed by distillation from the reaction mixture is replaced by a feed of fresh water.

Abstract: Water-soluble polymers of esters made from acrylic acid and alkylpolyalkylene glycols, obtainable by azeotropic esterification of a mixture of acrylic acid and alkylpolyalkylene glycol in a molar ratio of from 2 to 3:1 in the presence of at least 85% by weight, based on the alkylpolyalkylene glycol, of an organic solvent which forms an azeotrope with water, followed by free-radical polymerization, in an aqueous medium, of the mixture obtained during the esterification, where the organic solvent is distilled off azeotropically from the reaction mixture during the polymerization, and the water removed by distillation is returned to the mixture or replaced by a feed of fresh water, and preparation and use of these polymers as an additive to cementitious systems.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with esters from conjugated linoleic acid and a food allowable alcohol from the group of terpene alcohols and sesquiterpene alcohols. These esters have good taste and display the health effects from the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) part and from the food allowable alcohol part of the molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds having the formula: wherein: n is 0 or 1; R4 through R12 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1 to C10 alkyl, C6 to C10 aryl, C1 to C10 alkoxy, C1 to C10 aryloxy, C1 to C10 aralkyl; and R1 through R3 are hydrogen, C1 to C10 alkyl, C6 to C10 aryl, or C1 to C10 aralkyl. Methods of making and using these compounds are also described. Methods of converting &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic esters and acids to acrylates are also described.

Abstract: The process for the esterification of (meth)acrylic acid with an alkanol in the presence of an esterification catalyst, in which unconverted starting compounds and the (meth)acrylate to be formed are separated off by distillation and an oxyester-containing bottom product is formed and is separated off, and (a) in the bottom product separated off, the oxyesters present are cleaved, if required after the addition of (meth)acrylic acid and/or oligomeric (meth)acrylic acid, directly in the presence of acid catalysts differing from (meth)acrylic acid and/or oligomeric (meth)acrylic acid, and the cleavage products are removed, a cleavage residue remaining, or (b) the oxyesters are first removed by distillation from the cleavage product separated off, a distillation residue remaining, and the oxyesters removed are cleaved, if required after addition of (meth)acrylic acid and/or oligomeric (meth)acrylic acid, in the presence of acid catalysts differing from (meth)acrylic acid and/or oligomeric (meth)acrylic acid, a

Abstract: Substituted propenoates are prepared by eliminating an alcohol from a substituted malondialdehyde acetal, optionally in the presence of a homogeneous or heterogeneous catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing waste oil which is taken of each chemical apparatus of the manufacturing line of (meth)acryl acid and/or ester thereof, and treating the waste oil such as draining it out of the production apparatus, for example, a distillation tower from its bottom, sending and transporting it by a pump through a pipeline, and storing it in a storage tank in a simple manner while keeping the waste oil in a stable state. The waste oil can be stabilized by coexisting with solvent. The solvent used in the present invention is typically at least one selected from the group consisting of water, alcohol, ether, carboxylic acid, ketone, aromatic hydrocarbons, and aliphatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Methacrylates, particularly, esters of methacrylic acid with an alcohol having two or more carbon atoms or a polyhydric alcohol are produced by a one-stage reaction of &agr;-hydroxyisobutyric acid and/or its ester with an alcoholic compound in the presence of a solid catalyst.

Abstract: In a process for esterifying (meth)acrylic acid with an alkanol, oxy ester formed as a byproduct of the esterification is recleaved under acid catalysis with addition of monomeric and/or oligomeric (meth)acrylic acid and water.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of derivatives of halo-but-2-enoic acids and esters high in 2-ene content, several of which are novel. The esters and their derivatives are useful as promoters for the polymerization of ethylene or the copolymerization of ethylene with &agr;-olefins and, optionally, nonconjugated polyenes. The promoters can also be combined with transition metal compounds, e.g., vanadium, to form combination promoter-catalyst compounds.

Abstract: There is herein disclosed a process for efficiently preparing, from an &agr;-hydroxycarboxylic amide and an alcohol in an industrially advantageous manner, an &agr;-hydroxycarboxylate which is useful as any of raw materials for solvents, food additives, perfumes, various organic medicines and the like. According to the present invention, there is provided a process for preparing an &agr;-hydroxycarboxylate which comprises the step of reacting an &agr;-hydroxycarboxylic amide and an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst in a liquid phase, while an ammonia concentration in a reaction solution is maintained at 0.1% by weight or less by discharging generated ammonia as a gas into a gaseous phase.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of derivatives of halo-but-2-enoic acids and esters high in 2-ene content, several of which are novel. The esters and their derivatives are useful as promoters for the polymerization of ethylene or the copolymerization of ethylene with .alpha.-olefins and, optionally, nonconjugated polyenes. The promoters can also be combined with transition metal compounds, e.g., vanadium, to form combination promoter-catalyst compounds.

Abstract: A method of producing methyl methacrylate comprises Step 1 of producing acetone cyanhydrin from hydrogen cyanide and acetone; Step 2 of producing .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyramide by hydrating acetone cyanhydrin; Step 3 of producing methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate and ammonia by a reaction of .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyramide and methanol; Step 4 of producing methyl methacrylate by dehydrating methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate; and Step 5 of producing hydrogen cyanide in vapor phase by reacting methanol and the ammonia obtained in Step 3 over a solid catalyst in the presence of molecular oxygen. By using methanol in the step 3, the conversion ratio of .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyramide into methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate can be increased because the equilibrium of the reaction is easily sifted toward the product side by removing ammonia being produced from the reaction system.

Abstract: In a process for esterifying (meth)acrylic acid with an alkanol in the presence of an esterification catalyst, in which unconverted starting compounds and the (meth)acrylate to be formed are separated off by distillation and an oxyester-containing bottom product is formed, the bottom product is first separated off, the oxyesters contained therein are then separated off by distillation and the resulting distillate is cleaved in the presence of acids at elevated temperatures. The process can be carried out in the presence of molecular oxygen. The distillate is cleaved at from 170.degree. to 250.degree. C., preferably from 180.degree. to 230.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid from esters of the formula I ##STR1## and in case from esters of the formula (II) ##STR2## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or --CH.sub.3,R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, andn is an integer >0,in the liquid phase and in the presence of an acid at reduced pressure and with continuous removal of the cleavage products.

Abstract: A process for producing methyl methacrylate through gas-phase catalytic reaction of methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate as the starting raw material which process comprises feeding methanol in an amount by weight of 0.1 to 3.0 times the amount of the methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate in a reaction system and proceeding with the gas-phase catalytic reaction in the presence of a catalyst comprising a synthetic faujasite zeolite having a free alkali content of at most 0.1 milliequivalent/g or a catalyst comprising a molded product which is formed by molding a synthetic faujasite zeolite and a clay in an aqueous solution or suspension having a pH of less than 9. According to the above process, it is possible to produce methyl methacrylate in high yield over a long period of time by the use of methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate as the starting raw material.

Abstract: Disclosed are one and two step methods for preparing .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated-.beta.-trifluoromethyl carboxylates and related materials under mild reaction conditions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing methyl methacrylate through gas-phase catalytic reaction of methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate which comprises feeding methanol in an amount by weight of 0.1 to 3.0 times the methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate in a reactor along therewith and proceeding with the reaction at a reaction temperature in the range of 230.degree. to 300.degree. C. by the use of a transition-type synthetic faujasite zeolite having a specific lattice constant and a specific Na content (Na/Al) as the catalyst. The process is capable of stably producing the objective product having excellent quality in high yield for a long period of time while preventing the problems of early deterioration of the catalyst and coloring of reaction product.

Abstract: A 3-substituted 2-hydroxy-3-formylpropionic ester of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is lower alkyl, and R.sup.2 is straight-chain or branched alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, is obtained by adding an alkanal of the fomrula II ##STR2## and an alkyl glyoxylate of the formula III ##STR3## simultaneously to a catalyst system composed of a salt or a mixture of a secondary amine and a carboxylic acid in such a way that the temperature does not exceed 90.degree. C., preferably 80.degree. C., or else adding one of the reactants of the formula II or III to a mixture of the catalyst system described above and the other reactant in such a way that the temperature does not exceed 90.degree. C. The 2-hydroxy-3-formylpropionic eater of the formula I can be converted by treatment with dehydrating agents, especially acetic anhydride, into good yields of the corresponding 3-substituted 3-formylacrylic ester.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for producing lactic acid, esters of lactic acid, acrylic acid, and esters of acrylic acid, primarily from fermentable carbohydrate materials. An overall process for producing esters of acrylic acid comprises: a) fermenting carbohydrate material with a lactic-acid-forming organism in the presence of NH.sub.3 to produce ammonium lactate; b) combining the ammonium lactate with an alcohol; c) combining the ammonium lactate and alcohol with an effective catalyzing amount of gaseous CO.sub.2 to catalytically esterify the ammonium lactate and alcohol into a lactic acid ester containing solution; d) recovering purified lactic acid ester; and e) vaporizing the lactic acid ester and passing it through a solid catalyst bed comprised of an effective catalyzing amount of crystalline hydrated and partially calcined calcium sulfate to catalytically convert lactic acid ester into an acrylic acid ester. Step "d" would be useful in a process for making low-cost, purified lactic acid.

Abstract: A process for preparing an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester from at least one ester selected from .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester, .alpha.-alkoxycarboxylic acid ester and .beta.-alkoxycarboxylic acid ester as a starting material by a vapor-phase catalytic reaction in the presence of a crystalline aluminosilicate as a catalyst.According to the process, .alpha., .beta.-unstaturated carboxylic acid and/or an ester thereof can be produced in a mild condition and a high yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing optically active alcohol derivatives, which are useful as fungicides, herbicides or plant growth regulators, represented by the formula, ##STR1## by carrying out the asymmetric reduction of a ketone compound represented by the formula, ##STR2## with a boron hydride-reducing agent modified with an optically active amino alcohol represented by the formula, ##STR3## and also relates to the boron hydride type compound obtained by reacting the above optically active amino alcohol with a boron hydride compound and its production method.

Abstract: A process for producing .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester which comprises catalytically reacting .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester with crystalline aluminosilicate catalyst, and then catalytic reacting the resulting reaction product with solid acid catalyst.According to the process, .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester of a high purity, and a high quality, without by-product, can be produced efficiently.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for producing lactic acid, esters of lactic acid, acrylic acid, and esters of acrylic acid, primarily from fermentable carbohydrate materials. An overall process for producing esters of acrylic acid comprises: a) fermenting carbohydrate material with a lactic-acid-forming organism in the presence of NH.sub.3 to produce ammonium lactate; b) combining the ammonium lactate with an alcohol; c) combining the ammonium lactate and alcohol with an effective catalyzing amount of gaseous CO.sub.2 to catalytically esterify the ammonium lactate and alcohol into a lactic acid ester containing solution; d) recovering purified lactic acid ester; and e) vaporizing the lactic acid ester and passing it through a solid catalyst bed comprised of an effective catalyzing amount of crystalline hydrated and partially calcined calcium sulfate to catalytically convert lactic acid ester into an acrylic acid ester. Step "d" would be useful in a process for making low-cost, purified lactic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing, .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester from .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester, a .alpha.-alkoxycarboxylic acid ester or .beta.-alkoxycarboxylic acid ester as a starting material by a vapor-phase catalytic reaction in the presence of a crystalline aluminosilicate modified with an alkali metal and a platinum group element as a catalyst.According to the process, .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid can be produced efficiently.

Abstract: 1,1-disubstituted ethylene compounds of the general formula I ##STR1## where Z is COOR.sup.2, CN or COR.sup.3, R.sup.1 is an aliphatic, cycloalophatic, araliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic radical which may be further substituted by functional groups which are inert under the reaction conditions, R.sup.2 is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or araliphatic radical of 1 to 15 carbon atoms and R.sup.3 is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or araliphatic radical of 1 to 15 carbon atoms which may be substituted by groups which are inert under the reaction conditions, and R.sup.1 together with R.sup.2 or R.sup.1 together with R.sup.3 may furthermore form an alkylene chain of 2 to 10 carbon atoms which may be substituted by groups which are inert under the reaction conditions, are prepared from a formyl compound of the general formula II ##STR2## where Z, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 have the above meanings, by a process in which the reaction is carried out in the presence of formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde and(a) a C.sub.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for converting alkyl isobutyrate to alkyl methacrylate via alkyl-hydroperoxy-isobutyrate and alkyl alpha-hydroxyisobutyrate intermediate.An important aspect of the process is the use of a particulate metal oxide substrate in the first step of the process.

Abstract: In the process for making alkyl methacrylates from acetone cyanohydrin and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, it has been found that alkyl 2-hydroxy-2-methyl propionate made during the process can be collected and returned to the process sequence just prior to the esterification step where it can be dehydrated to alkyl methacrylate.