Abstract: This invention relates to oxidative methods for controlling the oxidation of a class of compounds, including hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane for example, alcohols, such as cyclohexanol for example, ketones, such as cyclohexanone for example, and peroxides, such as cyclohexylhydroperoxide for example, to intermediate oxidation products, such as adipic acid for example, by the removing the catalyst, such as cobalt compounds for example, from the oxidation mixture, outside the oxidation zone, after the oxidation has taken place at least partially. The catalyst is at least partially precipitated by following the steps of changing the temperature to be within a specific range, and sequentially reducing the water level to such a degree that causes the catalyst to precipitate. The precipitated catalyst is thereafter preferably filtered from the oxidation mixture and recycled to the oxidation zone.

Abstract: Organic by-products having higher boiling points than cyclohexanone (usually obtained from the bottoms of a distillation operation to separate cyclohexanone from other reaction products during cyclohexanone production) can be converted to recoverable cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol using a catalyst having high aluminum oxide concentrations. The preferred catalyst is one which has an aluminum oxide (Al2O3) content of at least about 95 wt. %, and more preferably greater than about 99 wt. %.

Abstract: A method for the transformation of cis- and trans-cyclododecene oxide into cyclododecanone, comprising carrying out the reaction with catalytically activated hydrogen in the presence of a copper catalyst at a temperature of 150-260° C. and at a pressure in a range from atmospheric pressure to elevated pressure. The reaction proceeds via the intermediate products cyclododecen-3-ol and cyclododecen-3-one, and with cyclododecene being obtained as a by-product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting alpha acid and isoalpha acids to tetrahydroisoalpha acid. The process comprises isomerizing an alpha acid to produce isoalpha acid and hydrogenating the isoalpha acid in the presence of a noble metal catalyst wherein, the noble metal catalyst is added incrementally or continuously throughout the hydrogenation step. The invention also relates to tetrahydroisoalpha acids made by the above process.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of trans-(R,R)-actinol by diasteroselective transfer hydrogenation of levodione comprises hydrogenating (R)-levodione in the presence of a hydrogen donor, which simultaneously can be used as the solvent, and an amino-amide-ruthenium complex, especially of the formula RuH(L{—H})(Y), wherein Y signifies a neutral ligand and L signifies an optionally optically active monosulphonylated diamine ligand, as defined in more detail in the description. Moreover, the invention is concerned with some of the amino-amide-ruthenium complexes and with the corresponding precursors to these complexes, which have halogen in place of H. The product of the process in accordance with the invention, trans-(R,R)-actinol, is known as an important building block for the synthesis of carotenoids, e.g. zeaxanthin. By the process trans-(R,R)-actinol is made available in particularly high enantiomeric and diasteromeric purity.

Abstract: In the dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols in the presence of a catalyst comprising zinc oxide and calcium carbonate at elevated temperature in the gas phase, secondary cyclic alcohols are used and the dehydrogenation is carried out in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst whose active components comprise from 30 to 60% by weight of zinc oxide and from 40 to 70% by weight of calcium carbonate in the calcite modification.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for reducing the color intensity of discolored isophorone, said process comprising exposing the discolored isophorone to UV radiation suitably having a wavelength in the region of about 370-400 nanometers. The decolorization method is advantageous in that the use of `foreign chemicals` is avoided. Furthermore there are no waste-disposal problems that are encountered with the use of carbon or Fuller's earth.

Abstract: Unsaturated organic compounds, in particular .alpha.-acids and .beta.-acids, are purified prior to hydrogenation by mixing them with an adsorbent capable of adsorbing catalyst poisons, preferably activated carbon, and separating the adsorbent containing the catalyst poisons to recover the thus purified unsaturated organic compounds. A significant reduction in the use of hydrogenation catalyst is realized.

Abstract: A method of producing 3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexa-3-ene-1-one (.beta.-isophorone) by isomerization of 3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexa-2-ene-1-one (.alpha.-isophorone) in a liquid phase in the presence of a homogeneous or heterogeneous catalyst in which a mixture with a relatively low concentration of .beta.-isophorone is drawn off from the reaction container and the .beta.-isophorone isolated by vacuum distillation. .beta.-isophorone is an important synthetic structural element for the production of carotinoids, vitamins and pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of pure trans- and cis-4-hydroxy-2, 2,6-trimethylcyclohexan-1-one from a mixture of these isomers comprises fractionally rectifying the isomeric mixture in a suitable column having from about 30 to 80 theoretical separation stages at temperatures of preferably from 50.degree. to 130.degree. C. and a pressure in the range from 0.1 to 5 mbar. The products are essential intermediates for the preparation of 3-hydroxycarotenoids such as cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin.

Abstract: A process for producing optically active 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone [1] which comprises reacting 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone represented by the formula: ##STR1## with an optically active propargyl alcohol derivative represented by the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R and R.sup.1 each independently represent a halogenated phenyl group, an alkylphenyl group, or an alkyl group which may be substituted with one or more halogen atom(s), and * indicates an asymmetric carbon atom, to form an optically active complex [3] consisting essentially of optically active 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone represented by the formula [1] ##STR3## wherein * indicates an asymmetric carbon atom, and the optically active propargyl alcohol derivative [2], and then decomposing the optically active complex [3].

Abstract: Isophorone is made by the aldol condensation of acetone followed by separate steps to remove acetone, mesityloxide, and beta isophorone. Variations include recycling of mesityloxide and/or beta isophorone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating ketones from alcohols by chemical interaction. More specifically, a difference in chemical reactivity between ketones and alcohols with a third compound is used as a basis for the separation. The third compound in this case is an organo-metallic compound of the general formula M(X).sub.n. Herein is M a polyvalent metal atom, n equals the valence of the metal and X is an organic or inorganic group or atom, with the proviso that at least one organic group is present in the organo-metallic compounds according to the invention. If the ketone-alcohol mixture is subjected to the organo-metallic compounds according to the invention under suitable conditions, an exchange reaction between the alcohols and the groups X takes place, and the ketones can be isolated from the reaction mixture in a conventional way.

Abstract: Cyclohexanone which has been obtained by dehydrogenation of a cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol mixture is substantially freed from by-products, in that such a dehydrogenation mixture is treated in the gas or liquid phase with hydrogen on a hydrogenation catalyst at 20.degree. to 180.degree. C. and at a pressure of 0.1 to 15 bar.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing hop extracts containing small amounts of resin deterioration products, comprising extracting the hop extracts from dry hops using recycled carbon dioxide wherein said carbon dioxide is in a dry subcritical or supercritical condition, and to hop extracts obtained thereby. The hop extracts thus obtained are very useful in the production of high quality beer having a sharp and refreshing taste.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a separating and purifying (4R, 6R)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethyl cyclohexanone comprising the steps of:reacting a diastereomer mixture of (4R, 6R)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethyl cyclohexanone represented by the formula (I) ##STR1## and (4S, 6R)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethyl cyclohexanone represented by the formula (II) ##STR2## with a reagent which reacts with the hydroxyl groups at least equimolar to the compound represented by the formula (II) to thereby convert the compound represented by the formula (II) into (4S, 6R)-4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethyl cyclohexanone derivative represented by the formula (III) ##STR3## (where R represents a group modifying the hydroxyl group) by modification with priority of the hydroxyl group in the formula (II), andseparating the compound of the formula (I) from the compound of the formula (III) through the difference in solubility to water or an organic solvent.

Abstract: A process for separating cyclohexanol and other impurities from a mixture containing cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to antiviral and antitumor compositions, a process for producing the compositions and a method for inhibiting viruses and tumors utilizing the compositions. More particularly, the compositions are cyclohexadienone derivatives which are derived from red alga Desmia hornemanni.

Abstract: Beta acids, separated from hop extracts, are purified prior to hydrogenolysis by mixing with an aqueous solution of polyvalent metal ions, preferably edible ions such as magnesium or calcium ions, separating the aqueous beta acids from insoluble materials containing catalyst poisons, and recovering the thus-purified beta acids which are catalyst-poison free and in a form suitable for hydrogenolysis to 4-desoxy alpha acids.

Abstract: This invention relates to antiviral compositions, a process for producing the compositions and a method for inhibiting viruses utilizing the compositions. More particularly, the compositions are halogenated chamigrenes extracted from sea hares which diet upon red algae.

Abstract: A process for the resolution of hemiacetal compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein A is a hydrocarbon chain containing 1 to 16 groups, the said chain optionally containing at least one heteroatom, at least one unsaturation, the assembly of the group constituting the chain may be a mono- or polycyclic system including a spiro or endosystem and the assembly of chain A and the carbon atoms attached thereto can contain at least one chiral atom or the hemiacetal moiety thereto which can present a chirality due to the dissymetric spatial configuration of the molecule and Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 18 carbon atoms optionally substituted, --CY.sub.3 ' and the .beta.,.gamma.

Abstract: The optical resolution of an enantiomer mixture of oxycyclopentenone or a derivative thereof is conducted with a polysaccharide derivative.

Abstract: Beta-acids are separated from alpha-acids in a hop extract without using organic solvents by bubbling CO.sub.2 through an aqueous hop extract having a pH of about 9.6 to about 13 to lower the pH to about 8.5 to about 9.5 to precipitate the beta-acids and leave the alpha-acids in the extract.

Abstract: A method for purifying cyclohexanone containing by-product organic acids and obtained by oxidation of cyclohexane, which comprises contacting said cyclohexanone with at least one treating agent selected from the group consisting of hydrotalcite compounds of the following formula (1)M.sub.x.sup.2+ M.sub.2.sup.3+ (OH).sub.2x+6-nz (A.sup.n-).sub.z.mH.sub.2 O (1)wherein M.sup.2+ represents a divalent metal ion, M.sup.3+ represents a trivalent metal ion, A.sup.n- represents an anion having a valence of n, and x, z and m represent numbers satisfying the following expressions1<x<20,0<z.ltoreq.2,0.ltoreq.m<20'and metal oxide-type solid solutions of the following formula (2)M.sub.1-x'.sup.2+ M.sub.x'.sup.3+ O.sub.1+1/2x' (2)wherein M.sup.2+ and M.sup.3+ are as defined with respect to formula (1), and x' is a number represented by 0<x'<0.5, and showing a powder X-ray diffraction pattern corresponding to M.sup.2+ O.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the recovery of high purity squaric acid from squarate containing solids from the electrochemical cyclization of carbon monoxide, involving contacting the squaric acid containing product with a two-phase mixture of strong, nonoxidizing aqueous acid and an immiscible organic solvent, followed by separating the solid, substantially pure squaric acid from the resulting three-phase mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the isolation of crystalline 1,3-cyclohexanedione from the crude product formed in the catalytic gaseous phase cyclization of 5-oxohexanoic acid. Before or directly after condensation an auxiliary component consisting of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cyclic hydrocarbons, chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons and monoethers is added to the crude product, subsequently the mixture of crude product and auxiliary component is distilled under normal or reduced pressure until the reaction water is removed and the residual content of auxiliary component in the remaining concentrate has attained a defined value, and the precipitated crystalline 1,3-cyclohexanedione is filtered off. Alternatively, the auxiliary component added may be distilled off substantially completely.

Abstract: Crude isophorone is refined by contacting it with aqueous caustic followed by washing and fractional distillation.

Abstract: New bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-en-2-ones of the formulae Ia and Ib in the form of pure enantiomers and processes for preparing them are described. The compounds are used for the preparation of pure enantiomers of the formula V by sensitized photoreaction or of compounds of the formula VI by unsensitized photoreaction.

Abstract: An extractive distillation process is provided for the separation of phenol and/or cresol from mixtures with high boiling oxygenated compounds such as alkanols, alkanones, cycloalkanones, cycloalkanols, aryl alcohols, aryl ketones or mixtures thereof that have a boiling point of at least about 175.degree. C. The process involves distilling the phenol and/or cresol-high boiling oxygenated compound mixture in the presence of at least one extractive solvent comprising a substituted phenol and/or substituted cresol that has a boiling point between about 195.degree. C. and about 400.degree. C.

Abstract: Purification of cyclopentenolone such as, for example, 2-propargyl-3-methyl-4-hydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one, which is an intermediate to manufacture pyrethroidal insecticides, is made by reacting with calcium chloride to form the cyclopentenolone-calcium chloride complex and then decomposing the complex with water.

Abstract: A macrocyclic ketone having a 15- to 17-membered ring is produced from an .alpha.,.omega.-long chain dicarboxylic acid ester by the Dieckmann condensation reaction, followed by hydrolysis/decarboxylation reaction and then purification. The macrocyclic ketone is purified by subjecting the ketone to steam distillation in the presence of a non-volatile base.

Abstract: Ketal and hemiketal found in the reaction mass resulting from the acid catalyzed cleavage of cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide in the presence of alcohol are removed from the reaction mass resulting upon the acid catalyzed cleavage by separating an organic layer from said mass and treating said organic layer with an acid thus improving the yield of cyclohexanone, recovering alcohol and facilitating ensuing purification operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removal of alkali metal carboxylates from mixtures which contain a cycloalkanone and a cycloalkanol, in particular cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol, and which have been obtained in oxidation in the liquid phase of the corresponding cycloalkane with gas containing molecular oxygen.According to the invention, alkali metal carboxylates are removed from such mixtures containing a cycloalkanone and a cycloalkanol by washing the mixture with an aqueous acid solution, in particular an aqueous solution of carboxylic acid with 1-6 carbon atoms per molecule.The invention provides a solution to the problem of the so-called alkali entrainment, which leads to loss of cycloalkanone owing to condensation into undesired high-boiling by-products in the following distillation for gaining pure cycloalkone. This substantial loss is prevented by the method according to the invention.

Abstract: An improved process of distilling a cyclohexanone-rich overhead stream in a first still from a feed mixture comprising cyclohexanone, phenol and cyclohexanol of the type wherein a cyclohexanone-rich stream is withdrawn as a part of an overheads condensate from the first still and a phenol-rich stream is withdrawn as a part of a reboiled bottom stream from the first still. The improvement includes withdrawing a side stream substantially free of phenol from above the point where the feed mixture is fed to the first column and separating the side stream in a second still into a second cyclohexanone-rich overhead stream and a bottom stream containing cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol. The second cyclohexanone-rich stream may be returned to the first still.

Abstract: There is described a new process for the preparation of optically active 2-(2',2'-dihalogenovinyl)-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acids substituted in the 3 position, and derivatives thereof. A racemate of certain cyclobutanones is reacted with a sulfurous acid salt of an optically active base to obtain a mixture of diastereomeric 4-2-(2',2',2'-trihalogenoethyl)-cyclobutane-1-sulfonic acid salts; this mixture is then separated into the pure diastereomeric sulfonic acid salts. Either the pure diastereomeric sulfonic acid salts are converted directly to the desired optically active products, or the optically active cyclobutanones obtained from the pure diastereomeric sulfonic acids salts by decomposition is converted, in the presence of a base to the desired product. Optionally, the product, optically active 2-(2',2'-dihalogenovinyl)-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acids can be converted to their 1',2'-dibromo derivatives.

Abstract: Cyclohexanone is selectively adsorbed from admixture with cyclohexanol using specific cationic forms of zeolite X and zeolite Y. The process utilizes the interaction of the electrostatic field of the zeolite with the slightly greater polarity of the cyclohexanone to enhance the adsorptive strength difference between the competing adsorbates.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of cyclohexanone from benzene. Benzene is hydrogenated in a gaseous phase in a hydrogenation zone to form cyclohexane; cyclohexane is oxidized in a liquid phase to form a mixture containing cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone; and cyclohexanone is separated from this mixture and is catalytically dehydrogenated to form cyclohexanone and a hydrogen containing gas. The resulting hydrogen containing gas is introduced into a washing zone wherein it is washed with cyclohexane or benzene and the hydrogen gas thus purified is fed into the hydrogenation zone.

Abstract: Cyclohexylbenzene is separated from a cyclohexylbenzene-cyclohexanone-phenol admixture by liquid-liquid extraction with a non-polar solvent such as hexadecane and a polar solvent, such as sulfolane, diethylene glycol, or mixtures with water. Cyclohexylbenzene is separated from the non-polar phase by fractional distillation. Phenol and cyclohexanone are separated from the polar solvent by fractional distillation.

Abstract: Phenol-, cyclohexanone-, and cyclohexylbenzene-containing mixtures are extractively distilled to provide an overhead of cyclohexanone substantially free of phenol and cyclohexylbenzene and a bottoms containing phenol and cyclohexylbenzene, substantially free of cyclohexanone by employing a nitrile solvent.