Abstract: A method of preparing carboxylic acids or esters thereof by the oxidative cleavage of unsaturated fatty acids or esters thereof is carried out in a two-phase aqueous-organic system in which the organic phase contains the unsaturated fatty acid and/or the esters thereof and the aqueous phase contains hydrogen peroxide. The oxidative cleavage is carried out in the presence of a catalytic system including a catalyst belonging to the group constituted by tungstic and molybdic acids and alkaline salts thereof, and an onium salt which acts as a phase-transfer agent for the catalyst, and has the formula:(R.sub.2 R.sub.3 R.sub.4 R.sub.5 M).sup.+ Y.sup.-in which R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 represent hydrocarbon groups of which at least one must have more than 10 carbon atoms,M is N or P, andY.sup.- is an inorganic anion.

Abstract: Cyclohexyladipates are produced by reacting a mixture containing a major amount of benzene and minor amounts of cyclohexene, adipic acid and an acid catalyst.

Abstract: The use of a fatty oil ex Helianthus annuus containing 78 to 92% by weight oleic acid and 2 to 10% by weight linoleic acid for the production of diperazelaic acid, with elimination of enrichment steps with respect to the oleic acid content, by fat splitting, distillation, oxidative ozonolysis of the fatty acid mixture obtained, and reaction of the azelaic acid thus obtained with hydrogen peroxide to form diperazelaic acid. The resulting diperazelaic acid has improved stability in storage and is obtained in high yields and in highly pure form.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ether carboxylic acids by ethoxylation of carbohydrates followed by catalytic oxidation and the use of the products in detergents or cleaning agents.

Abstract: This invention is a novel synthesis of 4-and 5-ketocarboxylic acids which includes the reaction of the appropriate delta- or gamma-lactone with a chromosulfuric acid solution and separating the 4- or 5-ketocarboxylic acid product from the reduced solution.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the oxidation of esters of para- and meta-methyl-substituted phenols to the corresponding aromatic carboxylic acid in the presence of a promoter comprising an anhydride of a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid and a heavy metal catalyst with or without the presence of bromine. The resulting carboxylic acids are useful in liquid crystal polymers and polymers useful in engineering plastics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a polycarboxylic acid, the process comprising subjecting a Diels-Alder reaction product of maleic anhydride and a diene and/or the corresponding acid to oxidative cleavage using hydrogen peroxide in the presence of at least one catalyst selected from the group consisting of tungstic acid, molybdic acid and heteropoly acids thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing .alpha.,.omega.-dicarboxylic acids of the formula OC--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --COOH in which n=6 to 10 is disclosed. The process consists of the catalytic oxidation of a compound of formula X--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --CHO wherein X is CHO or COOH and n is 6 to 10 by O.sub.2 pure or in mixture with inert gas, possibly under pressure, in at least one polar solvent, at a temperature comprised between 20.degree. and 90.degree. C. and in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst is chosen from the group consisting of at least one cobalt (II) salt and one ferrous salt. The amount of the catalyst is .ltoreq.0.001 mol % calculated on the equivalents of the aldehyde groups in the starting compound.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method of preparing 3-alkyl-substituted glutaric acids and 2-alkyl-substituted succinic acids from 5-alkyl-substituted-1,3-cyclohexane-diones or 3-alkyl-substituted-5-ketohexanoic acids via transition-metal catalyzed oxidation.

Abstract: A process for converting .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acids to hydroxy free aliphatic carboxylic acids and aldehydes in the presence of a catalyst of the formula:M.sub.a M'.sub.b O.sub.xwhereinM is at least one of an element selected from Group IB, VIB, IVA; andM' is at least one of an element selected from Groups IA, IIA, IVA, VA, VIA, VIIIB, VB.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing carboxylic acid, the process comprising subjecting an oxidation product produced by reacting a peroxide with (a) unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having at least one unsaturated bond in the carbon chain and containing 6 to 24 carbon atoms or its ester or (b) cyclic and/or acyclic aliphatic olefin having at least one unsaturated bond in the carbon chain to oxidation by oxygen or oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising (i) at least one heavy metal compound and (ii) at least one member selected from the group consisting of a bromine compound and a chlorine compound.

Abstract: Process for the production of 3,3-dimethylglutaric acid from isophorone. In a first step the isophorone is converted with ozone into an ozone-addition product. The ozone-addition product is converted by hydrolysis into 3,3-dimethyl-5-oxohexanoic acid. The latter is converted into 3,3-dimethylglutaric acid by treatment with hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Tetrafluoroethylene is reacted in an aqueous environment with hydroxyl radicals, generating a mixture of water soluble and water insoluble .alpha.,.omega.-perfluorodicarboxylic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the oxidation of unsaturated hydrocarbons, particularly butenes and isobutylene, for the production of acetic acid, propionic acid and acetone. Specifically the invention comprises the highly selective oxidation of an unsaturated hydrocarbon or of a mixture of unsaturated hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst consisting of a complex of trivalent cobalt and of a carbonyl compound, of the aldehydic or ketonic type.

Abstract: An improved process for producing adipic acid from the acidic wash waters which arise in the process for oxidizing cyclohexane with air, by treatment with nitric acid at from 10.degree. to 50.degree. C., with removal of the heat of reaction by external cooling, wherein the reaction mixture is led, at a flow velocity of at least 2.0 m/sec, as a thin layer spirally in counter-current to the coolant, under conditions which do not perturb the flow of the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of acrolein, acrylic acid and mixtures thereof or methacrolein, methacrylic acid and mixtures thereof by the vapor phase reaction of allyl acetate or methallyl acetate and oxygen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst composition comprising a catalytically effective amount of palladium metal.