Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of esters from alcohols using acetic acid as acetylating agent and clays as catalysts, which comprises the preparation of esters in a single step from the reaction of aliphatic, acyclic, cyclic, heterocyclic, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated and aromatic alcohols with carbon atoms in the range of C1 to C10 with acetic acid in a molar ratio of 1:3 to 11 using reusable natural montmorillonite/metal ion-exchanged clay catalysts in the solvent medium of aliphatic, aromatic, or chlorinated hydrocarbons at 30-140° C. for a period in the range of 0.02 to 3.0 hrs, and recovering the corresponding esters by simple work-up procedure.

Abstract: Alcohols, ethers, and olefins are manufactured from alkanes by mixing an alkane and bromine in a reactor to form alkyl bromide and hydrogen bromide. The alkyl bromide only or the alkyl bromide and the hydrogen bromide are directed into contact with metal oxide to form an alcohol and/or an ether, or an olefin and metal bromide. The metal bromide is oxidized to form original metal oxide and bromine, both of which are recycled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of butylacetate production by esterification of acetic acid with butanol in the presence of a solid acidic catalyst in which distillatory separation of components runs simultaneously with esterification. Thus, acetic acid and butanol are introduced in defined amounts and in the molar ratio 1:1 to 1:10 into a system, in which the reaction and the distillatory separation proceeds in three zones. The reaction together with distillatory separation of the components with different boiling points run in the reaction zone, while only distillation takes place in lower and upper separation zones. A volatile mixture is separated in the upper separation zone, from which, after being cooled at 5 to 80° C., water and organic phases are separated, the latest being refluxed into the system. The ratio of the feed amount to the organic phase reflux amount is 1:1 to 1:20, the reflux amount representing 60 to 100% of the whole amount of the organic phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of an MR contrast agent, said process comprising:

Abstract: A highly pure hydroquinone dietser derivative can be produced from the reaction product of ketoisophorone with an acylating agent in a high yield by a simple and easy operation. In the presence of an acid catalyst, a cyclohex-2-ene-1,4-dione derivative shown by the following formula (3) was allowed to react with an acylating agent (e.g., acetic anhydride), and the reaction product was purified by crystallization to obtain a hydroquinone diester derivative shown by the following formula (1). The compound (1) contains about 0 to 4% by weight of a catechol diester derivative represented by the following formula (2), being highly pure. As a solvent for crystallization, a mixed solvent of an organic carboxylic acid (e.g., acetic acid) corresponding to the acylating agent and water may be used. In the formulae, R1 and R2 each represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for the preparation of carboxylic acid esters of alkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers by the acid catalyzed esterification of the monoalkyl ether with a carboxylic acid. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carboxylic acid and alcohol are reacted in a reactor/column and the resulting ester product is distilled into an overhead decanter/extractor as a single phase. A small amount of solvent, preferably a hydrocarbon is added to the mixture causing the resulting distillate to separate into two phases, one phase containing the desired product, the other containing primarily water. The process described is applicable to both batch and continuous operation and is not constrained by the difficulty of separating closely boiling azeotropes and results in substantially higher production rates than achieved by current processes.

Abstract: This invention provides an environmentally clean process for the selective esterfication of a tertiary alcohol (I) by an acid anhydride (II) to produce corresponding tertiary ester (III) and carboxylic acid (V), using a reusable solid catalyst (IV) comprising one or more halides of indium, gallium, zinc and iron. The process comprises: (i) contacting a mixture of (I) and (II) in the absence or presence of a non aqueous solvent with the fine particles of (IV) in a stirred hatch reactor provided with a reflux water condenser at atmospheric pressure at the reaction conditions, such that the mole ratio of (II) to (I) is in the range from about 0.1 to about 10.0; the weight ratio of (IV) to (I+II) is in the range from about 0.005 to about 0.5; the reaction temperate is below about 80° C.; and the reaction period is in the range from about 0.

Abstract: A shell impregnated catalyst of Pd—Au produced on a silica support to have a Pd loading of 1.8 g/L of catalyst to about 7.2 g/L and a Au to Pd weight ratio of 0.3 to 2.0 by impregnating the support with aqueous solutions of palladium and gold salts or acids and thereafter precipitating water insoluble compounds of Pd and Au on the with alkali metal silicate or hydroxide solutions, then dried, and the surface precipitated compounds of Pd and Au are then reduced by reaction with ethylene or hydrogen at a temperature of greater than 150° C. up to 310° C. or with hydrogen up to 299° C. until substantially all of the Pd and Au contents are reduced to a free metal state, after which the support is impregnated with potassium acetate to an extent of 6 to 7 weight percent of the weight of the total catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst composition suitable for use as a catalyst for the preparation of an ester comprises (a) an organometallic compound which is the reaction product of an orthoester or condensed orthoester of titanium, zirconium or aluminum, an alcohol containing at least two hydroxyl groups, an organophosphorus compound containing at least one P—OH group and preferably a base, and (b) a compound of germanium, antimony or tin. A process for the preparation of an ester comprises carrying out an esterification reaction in the presence of the catalyst composition. In a further embodiment the organometallic compound comprises the reaction product of, in addition, a 3-hydroxy carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Enzymatic processes can produce intermediates for manufacturing retiferol derivatives that are useful for treating or preventing hyperproliferative skin diseases and for reversing conditions associated with photodamage. These processes can use as a starting material trihydroxycyclohexane, which can be chemically modified by a process that includes an enzymatic step, typically involving lipases of EC-class 3.1.1.3 or 3.1.1.34.

Abstract: Aliphatic esters, R'COOR are produced by reacting the corresponding alcohol, ROH having carbon numbers of the alkyl groups, R′ and R, between 0 and 9 and 1 and 10, respectively, with molecular oxygen in the presence of a dual functional catalyst comprising metal on acidic solid support. In particular, the process is used advantageously for production of ethyl acetate by conversion of ethanol. The reaction mixture from the reactor is separated through azeotropic distillation to recover the ethyl acetate as product and the by-product, acetaldehyde and acetic acid which could be recycled for further reaction. The process is characterized by high conversion of ethanol, high selectivity and high yield for ethyl acetate and low waste stream generation. The preferred catalyst is Pd on zeolites which is active, selective, stable and regenerable.

Abstract: A fluid bed process for the manufacture of vinyl acetate from ethylene, acetic acid and oxygen comprising feeding ethylene and acetic acid into a fluid bed reactor through a first inlet, introducing the oxygen into the reactor through a second inlet, co-joining the oxygen, ethylene and acetic acid in the reactor in contact with a fluid bed catalyst to produce vinyl acetate. The particle size diameter of the particulate catalyst material has a range of 60% of the particles being below 200 microns (0.1 mm) with no more than 40% of the particles being below 40 microns (0.04 mm).

Abstract: The compounds of formula in which the symbols R1, R2, R3 and R4 represent independently from each other a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl group, the symbol X represents an oxygen atom or an alkylene group of formula in which n is an integer from 1 to 3, the symbols R6 and R7 represent each a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl group, and R5 represents an alkyl or alkoxy group from C1 to C4, linear or branched, an alkenyl group from C2 to C4, linear or branched, or a group of formula in which Y has the same meaning as X and R8 is a linear or branched alkyl group from C1 to C4 or a linear or branched alkenyl group from C2 to C4, are novel compounds showing musky odors and which confer musky-velvety, voluminous and very tenacious notes to the products to which they are added.

Abstract: A method is provided for catalytically transforming a functional group within a first reactant by reaction with a second reactant in the presence of a nonmetallic, organic catalyst composition composed of a heteroatom-containing activator and an acid, or a salt of a heteroatom-containing activator and an acid. Exemplary first reactants are &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carbonyl compounds such as &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated ketones and &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated aldehydes. The heteroatom of the activator is a Group 15 or Group 16 element such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur or phosphorus, and exemplary heteroatom-containing activators are amines. Chiral heteroatom-containing activators can be used to catalyze enantioselective reactions, such that a chiral product is obtained from a chiral or achiral starting material in enantiomerically pure form.

Abstract: A hepatic disorder suppressant comprising extracts having hepatic disorder suppressing effect as effective ingredients, wherein the extracts is obtained by extracting an avocado plant and/or a processed product thereof with an organic solvent is disclosed.

Abstract: Reactions of ring systems, such as aziridines, oxetanes and oxiranes with carboxylic acids, anhydrides, imides, lactones and carbonate esters are catalyzed by C3-C60, substituted or unsubstituted, straight or branched-chained, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl carboxylate Cr+3 salts, preferably chromium +3 octoate. The catalysts also accelerate the reaction of hydroxy compounds with anhydrides, and of thiiranes with anhydrides. The catalysts selectively enhance the conversion of ring systems to form monomers, prepolymers, copolymers, functional end-group monomers, functional end-group prepolymers, and functional end-group polymers rather than forming homopolymers. By varying the catalyst concentration, molar ratios, and reaction temperatures, the reaction time required to form the desired product can be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel compound represented by the general formula I; wherein R is H or COR3; R1 is H, R2, phenyl, or COR3, wherein R2 is C1-C5 lower alkyl and R3 is R2 or phenyl; Z is CH2 or O; Y is OH, OCOR3 or ═O; x is 0 or 1; and X is C1-C5 n-alkyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl, phenyl, furanyl, thienyl or substituted derivatives thereof, wherein the substituents maybe selected from the group consisting of C1-C5 alkyl, halogen, CF3, CN, NO2, NR42, CO2R4 and OR4 wherein R4 is hydrogen or C1-C5 alkyl and dotted lines represent the presence or absence of a double bond and wavy lines represent a cis or trans bond. These novel compounds are especially useful for treating elevated intraocular pressure (ocular hypertension) and glaucoma.

Abstract: Carboxylic esters are prepared by a process, which comprises reacting dicarboxylic or polycarboxylic acids or their anhydrides with alcohols in a liquid medium with the concomitant removal of water formed by the esterification reaction by azeotropic distillation together with the alcohol in the medium, wherein the amount of liquid removed from the reaction medium by azeotropic distillation is replaced in whole or in part with the alcohol.

Abstract: The preparation of a carboxylic ester by direct reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol catalyzed by a sulphonic acid R—SO3H is carried out in the presence of a solid comprising tertiary amine functions.

Abstract: There is provided a compound of the formula[I]: wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a protective group for a hydroxyl group; and A represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a group of the formula A1: Q represents Q3: when A represents a halogen atom or a protective group for a hydroyl group, A represents Q4:  wherein R1 and R2 represent a hydrogen atom or a protective group for a hydroxyl group; and when A represents a hydrogen atom, Q is Q2:

Abstract: The present invention is relative to a method for the homogeneous, catalytic, enantioselective hydrogenation of compounds of the general formula (I) with the aid of compounds of the general formula (II) The use of the hydrogenated derivatives in organic synthesis.

Abstract: Applicants have developed a process for the oxidation of ketones to esters. The process involves contacting the ketone with hydrogen peroxide and a catalyst at oxidation conditions. The catalyst is a molecular sieve represented by the empirical formula: (MwSnxTiySi1−x−y−zGez)O2 where M is a trivalent metal such as aluminum or boron. These molecular sieves have a microporous three dimensional framework structure of at least SiO2 and SnO2 tetrahedral units, a crystallographically regular pore system and the characteristic x-ray diffraction pattern of zeolite beta.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for synthesis of isobornyl (meth)acrylate by reacting camphene with (meth)acrylic acid in the presence of sulfuric acid and at least one compound having inhibiting action. Aqueous sulfuric acid with an acid concentration in the range of 65 to 85 wt % is used. Isobornyl (meth)acrylate can advantageously be distilled from a mixture containing sulfuric acid in the presence of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-&agr;-(dialkylamino)-p-cresol.

Abstract: The invention provides a chain diene compound with desirable regioselectivity, in the presence of a specific ruthenium compound. This chain diene compound is a promising raw material for terpene. It has a structure represented by the general formula (I): wherein R1 represents H, a C1-C6 alkyl group which may be substituted or a C2-C6 alkenyl group which may be substituted, R2 represents a phenyl group which may have a C1-C4 alkyl group or a C1-C12 acyloxy group which may have a phenyl group or a naphthyl group, or a benzyl group or R2 is a hydroxy group which reversibly forms an aldehyde group through shifting of the position of the double bond adjacent to said hydroxy group. The chain diene compound is produced by reacting 2-substituted-1,3-butadienes with terminal olefins in the presence of a ruthenium compound in a hydrophilic solvent.

Abstract: Process for producing an optically active ester by reaction of a racemic alcohol with an optically active amino or tartaric acid derivative, a process for producing an optically active alcohol by hydrolysis of the optically active ester, a process for converting an alcohol into a ketone by oxidation, a method for stably storing an optically active ketone, and a new optically active amino acid ester and a new optically active tartaric acid ester.

Abstract: Formic ester is transesterified with a hydroxyl-containing compound in the presence of a tertiary amine as transesterification catalyst to form a formic ester which differs from the formic ester used as reactant, and of a hydroxyl-containing compound which is different from the hydroxyl-containing compound used as reactant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of esters from alcohols using acetic acid as acetylating agent and clays as catalysts, which comprises the preparation of esters in a single step from the reaction of aliphatic, acyclic, cyclic, heterocyclic, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated and aromatic alcohols with carbon atoms in the range of C1 to C10 with acetic acid in a molar ratio of 1:3 to 11 using reusable natural montmorillonite/metal ion-exchanged clay catalysts in the solvent medium of aliphatic, aromatic, or chlorinated hydrocarbons at 30-140° C. for a period in the range of 0.02 to 3.0 hrs, and recovering the corresponding esters by simple work-up procedure.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of acetic acid and/or methyl acetate by isomerization of methyl formate in a reaction mixture which includes water, a solvent and a catalytic system containing a halogenated promoter and an iridium-based compound. Carbon monoxide is present in the reaction mixture at a partial pressure between 0.1.105 Pa and 25.105 Pa, methyl formate is maintained below 20% by weight of the reaction mixture and water is maintained in an amount which is at most 5% by weight of the reaction mixture. In a typical system, method formate isomerizes to acetic acid according to the reaction: HCOOCH3CH3COOH.

Abstract: 1,2-Bis-adducts of stable hindered nitroxide compounds with substituted ethylenes are prepared by reacting two equivalents of nitroxyl compound with an ethylenically unsaturated compound such as styrene or an acrylate ester. These adducts are very effective inhibitors to prevent the premature polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers when such monomers are distilled, processed or stored.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I wherein X is C═CH2 or CH2; Y and Z are independently of each other hydrogen, fluorine or hydroxy; A is —C≡C—, —CH═CH— or —CH2—CH2—, R1 and R2 are independently of each other alkyl or perfluoroalkyl; and R3 is lower alkyl are useful in the treatment or prevention of hyperproliferative skin diseases, particularly psoriasis, basal cell carcinomas, disorders of keratinization and keratosis; or for reversing the conditions associated with photodamage.

Abstract: Acetic acid and/or vinyl acetate are produced by an integrated process in which a gaseous feedstock comprising ethylene and/or ethane and optionally steam is contacted in a first reaction zone (step (a)) with a molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst active for the oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid and/or ethane to acetic acid and ethylene to produce a first product stream comprising acetic acid, water and ethylene (either as unreacted ethylene and/or as co-produced ethylene) and optionally also ethane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen.

Abstract: The compounds according to the general formula in which formula the dotted lines indicate a single or a double bond, n and m are 0 or 1, R1 is hydrogen or an acyl group —C(O)R3, R3 being a linear or branched alkyl or alkylene group from C1 to C8, the oxygen atom being bound to the adjacent &agr;-carbon atom by a double bond in the case where n is 0 and by a single bond in the case where n is 1, R2 is hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxy group from C1 to C8, or R2 is an alkenoxy group which is linked to the group R1 to form a 1,3-dioxolane cycle having 5 to 7 ring members, are useful perfuming ingredients. The most preferred compounds according to the invention are those which have a damascone- or damascenone-like structure, with the methyl substituent being in 4-position of the ring instead of the 2-position, as is the case in damascones and damascenones.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a mixture of trimethylolpropane caprylate and trimethylolpropane caprate comprising the steps ofA) purifying a less than pure mixture of methyl caprylate and methyl caprate;B) reacting the purified mixture from step A) with trimethylolpropane to transesterify the purified mixture to produce a reaction mixture containing trimethylolpropane caprylate and trimethylolpropane caprate; andC) removing methanol and unreacted methyl caprylate and methyl caprate from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound represented by the following general formula (1) ##STR1## (wherein X represents O, S, SO, SO.sub.2, or NH, Y is a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon residue containing 1 through 6 carbon atoms and having an overall molecular weight of not less than 15 and not more than 400, and the hydrocarbon residue, when the residue is ring, may contain one or two hetero-atoms in the ring, and Z is a carboxyl group, a group derived therefrom or an aliphatic hydrocarbon residue having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be substituted or unsabstituted) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof (excluding (1R,2S)-2-[(2R)-(2-acetyl-amino-2-carboxyethyl)thiomethyl]-3-oxo-1-cyclope ntane-carboxylic acid (cystacyclin)), a method for production thereof and a medicinal use thereof. The compound of the present invention is useful as a neuron differentiation accelerator.

Abstract: Preparation of 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone diesters by rearrangement of 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-ene-1,4-dione (4-oxo-isophorone, ketoisophorone) in the presence of a solid, acid catalyst and an acylating agent, for example carboxylic acid anhydrides or carboxylic acid halides. The 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone diester may then optionally be saponified to the free 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone, which is a valuable building block in the synthesis of vitamin E.

Abstract: Method for producing an alkyl carboxylate, in which a carboxylic acid and an alcohol are esterified by reaction in the presence of an acid catalyst, by removing water in a dehydration step established halfway in the esterification reaction using a solid acid catalyst as the acid catalyst, and restarting the esterification reaction to complete the esterification reaction.

Abstract: 5-Z-octenyl esters of the formula ##STR1## in which R represents hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, have an intensive mango aroma, so that the compounds I can be added to fruit compositions and aroma compositions; they have flavor-intensifying and flavor-rounding action.

Abstract: Benzyl alcohol of high purity is produced by supplying benzyl acetate, water and acetic acid to a hydrolysis reactor packed with a solid acid catalyst. The liquid reaction mixture produced, which contains benzyl acetate, water, benzyl alcohol and acetic acid, is supplied to an acetic acid-water recovery column, Benzyl alcohol and benzyl acetate are recovered while acetic acid is removed and returned to the hydrolysis reactor.

Abstract: A novel glycerol derivative, a process for preparing the same, and a process for preparing a triazole derivative. An optically active 2-arylglycerol derivative which is novel and useful as a synthetic intermediate of medicament is provided, and furthermore, (R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl)-propane-1,2-diol, which is useful as an antifungal agent, is prepared.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with the synthesis of 3-(1-acetoxy-1-methylethyl)-6-oxo-heptanal; 3-(1-acetoxy-1-methylethyl)-2-formyl-1-methyl-cyclopentanol; 5-[2-hydroxy-5-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2-methyl-2-cyclopentyl]-3-methyl- penta-2,4-dien-1-ol and 2,7,11-trimethyl-13-[2-hydroxy-5-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2-methyl-cyclop entyl]-trideca-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaenal which are useful as intermediates for the synthesis of lycopene metabolites.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a .gamma.-acetoxy-tiglic aldehyde by reacting a .gamma.-bromotiglic aldehyde or a .gamma.-chlorotiglic aldehyde with sodium acetate or potassium acetate in an organic solvent in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the production of vinyl acetate (VA) by reaction in the vapor phase of ethylene, oxygen and acetic acid as reactants, comprising passing at a temperature sufficient to initiate the reaction, a feed gas comprising said reactants and continuously or intermittently containing liquid acetic acid and/or non-volatile components, through a filter and distribution bed of inert material having throughout its volume substantial intercommunicating open spaces among the solid portions, and thence through a plurality of tubes each containing a bed of catalyst for the reaction, and withdrawing a product gas comprising VA. The filter and distribution bed acts to filter out the liquid acetic acid and/or non-volatile components and distribute more evenly the feed gas into the tubes.

Abstract: Reaction products of polyolefins having predominantly a terminal double bond and a number average molecular weight of from 250 to 10,000, which possess an aliphatic hydrocarbon skeleton which is straight-chain or carries C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl side chains, with from 1 to 10 mol, per equivalent of double bond, of one or more vinyl esters I ##STR1## are obtainable by reacting the stated polyolefins with the vinyl esters I in the presence of a free radical initiator at from 80 to 200.degree. C., it being possible for these reaction products subsequently to have been hydrolyzed to the corresponding alcohols or converted into the corresponding amines by reductive amination with amines II ##STR2## .

Abstract: Both enantiomers of optically active 2-alkanol are produced by transesterification reaction of racemic 2-alkanol and aliphatic acid 2,2,2-trichloroethylester in the presence of enzyme derived from Candida antarctica.Both enantiomers of optically active 2-alkanol, which are useful as starting materials of liquid crystal materials and have optical purity of 99% or more, can be efficiently produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly enantioselective process for the preparation of enantiomerically pure cyclopentane- and -pentene .beta.-amino acids of the general formula (I) ##STR1## in which A and L, A and D or E and L, D and E, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, T and R.sup.1 have the meaning given in the description.

Abstract: This invention concerns modified fluorosulfonic acid compounds possessing a sulfonic acid fluoride, chloride or ester group or a sulfonic acid or a salt of a sulfonic acid group at one end and respectively a hydrolyzable or hydrolyzed silane group at the other end, said sulfonic group being adjacent a substantially fluorinated bidentate hydrocarbylene group which is in turn adjacent to a hydrocarbylenegroup linked to said hydrolyzable or hydrolyzed silane group. Self-condensation of the latter compounds provides novel siloxanes and polysiloxanes. This invention further concerns novel composites comprising a metal oxide network having incorporated therein a group having the formula: --O).sub.q Si(OH).sub.n-q R.sup.1.sub.m R.sup.2 R.sub.f SO.sub.3 Q, and compositions comprising a solid material having a reactive surface to which surface is attached at least one group having the formula: --O).sub.q Si(OH).sub.n-q R.sup.1.sub.m R.sup.2 R.sub.f SO.sub.3 Q.

Abstract: It is provided a process for industrially advantageously producing a branched aldehyde represented by the formula; ##STR1## ?wherein Y represents an acyl group of two or more carbon atoms; and X represents an acyloxymethyl group represented by --CH.sub.2 OY' (where Y' represents an acyl group of two or more carbon atoms), cyano group or an alkoxycarbonyl group! which is useful as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals, comprising subjecting an olefinic compound represented by the following formula; ##STR2## (wherein Y and X are the same as defined above), to the reaction with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a rhodium compound and a tertiary organic phosphorus compound with an electronic parameter (.upsilon.-value) of 2080 to 2090 cm.sup.-1 or with a steric parameter (.theta.-value) of 150 to 180.degree..

Abstract: This method provides trimethylhydroquinone diester by using a recyclable catalyst which shows high activity and operability in the reaction, while reducing the risk of corrosion of the reactor. The method for the production of 2,5,6-trimethylhydroquinone diester comprises reacting 2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexe-2-en-1,4-dione with an acylating agent in the presence of a solid catalyst. The acylating agent includes a C.sub.2-4 carboxylic acid anhydride (e.g. acetic anhydride) and a C.sub.2-4 carboxylic acid halide (e.g. acetyl chloride). The solid catalyst includes a solid acid catalyst (e.g. strongly or super-strongly acidic ion exchange resin, compound oxide, zeolite, heteropoly acid).

Abstract: Wood preservative systems comprising (a) a biocidal effective amount of (i) at least one di C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 alkyl quaternary ammonium carboxylate having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are a C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 alkyl group; R.sup.3 is a substituted or unsubstituted, interrupted or uninterrupted C.sub.1 -C.sub.100 group; l and q independently are 1, 2 or 3 and (l) (q) is 1, 2, or 3; and n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 50; (ii) at least one di C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 alkyl quaternary ammonium borate having the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are defined as above, and a is 2 or 3, but when a is 2, b is 0 or 1, and when a is 3, b is 0, 1, or 2; or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii); and (b) a solvent are provided. These carboxylate quats as well as carboxylate quats wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or aryl-substituted alkyl group and R.sup.2 is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 alkyl group are preferably prepared by an indirect or a direct synthesis.