Abstract: E and Z isomers of alkene alcohols and/or alkene alcohol derivatives are separated by substantially continuously contacting an ion exchange medium which is ion exchanged with silver and/or copper ions with the feed stream comprising the E and Z isomers of at least one alkene alcohol and/or at least one alkene alcohol derivative, then removing a product stream having a higher concentration of the E or Z isomer of at least one alkene alcohol or derivative of the alkene alcohol relative to the concentration of the E or Z isomer of the alkene alcohol or derivative of the alkene alcohol in the feed stream.

Abstract: A process for isolating purified 2-methoxypropene from a mixture which comprises 2,2-dimethoxypropane, 2-methoxypropene, methanol, acetone, and optionally other carbonyl group-containing compounds, which process involves subjecting the mixture to distillation, adding 2-aminoethanol and at least one base as assistants in the distillation, and isolating purified 2-methoxypropene.

Abstract: Process for the production of unsaturated ethers, in particular isopropenyl methyl ether (IPM), by pyrolysis of a ketal-containing or acetal-containing mixture, in particular dimethoxypropane (DMP), in the liquid phase in the presence of an organic carboxylic acid, according to the following reaction scheme: wherein R1=H or alkyl with 1-8 C atoms; R2=H, CH3—, C2H5—, or Cl—; R3=alkyl with 1-8 C atoms; R4=H, CH3—, C2H5—, or C3H7—, and R1 and R4 may be joined to form a 5-, 6-, or 7-membered ring. DMP is produced by the process from acetone and methanol by reaction in an acidic heterogeneous ion exchanger, the product being isolated by extraction with aqueous alkaline solution. In particular the process involves combining the IPM reaction product with the DMP reaction product, which permits the execution of a stable recycling process in which the methanol-containing streams of the IPM and DMP stages can be simultaneously extracted.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing fluoromethyl 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl ether(sevoflurane) by reacting 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol with formaldahyde and hydrogen fluoride either A) under distillation conditions or B) in the presence of or with the subsequent addition of a solvent capable of selectively extracting sevoflurane.

Abstract: A process for preparing tetrahydrofuran, which comprises reacting 1,4-butenediol diethers of the formulae I and/or IIRO--CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.CH--CH.sub.2 --OR IRO--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--CH.sub.2 --OR II,where the R radicals can be identical or different and are C.sub.1 -C.sub.15 -alkyl or cycloalkyl radicals, C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 -aryl radicals or C.sub.7 -C.sub.15 -aralkyl radicals, with water and hydrogen at from 20 to 300.degree. C. under from 1 to 300 bar in the presence of catalysts or catalyst combinations which comprise components which are both capable of hydrogenation and have acidic or basic centers and a novel process for preparing 1,4-butanediol diethers of the formula I by metathesis are described.The invention furthermore relates to the separate preparation of 1,4-butanediol monoethers of the formula IIIHO--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.

Abstract: A method of separating heteropoly compounds from mixtures of polyethers, polyesters and/or polyether esters, a protic component and heteropoly compounds, wherein the protic component is removed from the mixture and subsequently separating off the heteropoly compound as a separate phase. The polymer phase which remains is preferably brought into further contact with a solid adsorbent that is capable of adsorbing heteropoly compounds.

Abstract: Reaction mixtures obtained in addition reactions of OH-- or NH-- carrying compounds with acetylene or propyne in the presence of alkali metal alcoholates or alkali metal amides are worked up by distilling off the vaporizable components from the reaction mixture in a thin-film evaporator. Before removal of the vaporizable components from the reaction mixture, a particularly defined polyether is added thereto.

Abstract: Methylene chloride cannot be completely separated from ethyl vinyl ether by conventional distillation or rectification because of the minimum boiling azeotrope. Methylene chloride can be readily separated from ethyl vinyl ether by extractive distillation. Typical effective agents are ethylene glycol methyl ether acetate, 2-hexanone and 1-nitropropane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gentle process for the separation of enol ethers from mixtures containing water-soluble alcohols by extraction, wherein an aqueous solution of a base is used as the extraction agent in a phase ratio of the amounts of the aqueous phase: enol ether/alcohol mixture of at least 0.5:1 and the extraction is carried out in several stages or continuously with a theoretical number of stages of at least two. The process is particularly suitable for separating off enol ethers which readily decompose during distillation.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for the conversion of hydroperoxides, present in allyl-alkyl ethers to products including .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes and for reducing such .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes to alcohols prior to the use of the ether as a feedstock in a hydroformylation reaction to produce the corresponding ether aldehyde. The process involves contacting the ether with a metal hydride, either in aqueous solution and/or by means of an ion exchange resin. Such treatment decomposes the hydroperoxides and then reduces their .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehyde decomposition products, thereby reducing the catalyst inhibition period present in the hydroformylation reaction which is observed when such .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehyde impurities are present.

Abstract: The isomers of synthetic insect sex pheromones or their precursors are separated by selectively forming an inclusion complex with the E-isomer and urea or thiourea. In order for the E-isomer complex to form selectively it is necessry that the mono-olefin which forms the complex have a primary, linear chain of at least 7 atoms, a molecular diameter of 2.8-6A, and a polar functional group having transverse dimensions of less than 6A. Branching between the olefinic bond and the polar functional group is limited to methyl groups.