Abstract: A novel class of heterogeneous catalysts, containing Group VIII transition metals in combination with alkali organic compounds is prepared, such as potassium naphthalene on ruthenium on carbon. The catalysts are useful as heterogeneous catalysts in the hydrogenation of carboxylic acid esters. A process for producing the materials is described. The catalysts permit the process of the hydrogenation of carboxylic acid esters to primary alcohols to be conducted with the ester in the liquid phase at a temperature not exceeding about 150.degree. C. with high selectivity. Catalysts of Group VIII transition metals and alkali metal on carbon are also useful in such processes.

Abstract: Fluoroalkanols of the formula:H(CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2).sub.n CH.sub.2 OH (I)are prepared by telomerization of tetrafluoroethylene with methanol in a batch system. The reaction is carried out while introducing tetrafluoroethylene continuously into the reaction system. The production of fluoroalkanols of the formula (I) wherein n is an integer of 5 or more is suppressed and the production of fluoroalkanols of the formula (I) wherein n is an integer of 4 or less is enhanced.

Abstract: A novel class of heterogeneous catalysts, containing Group VIII transition metals in combination with alkali organic compounds is prepared, such as potassium naphthalene on ruthenium on carbon. The catalysts are useful as heterogeneous catalysts in the hydrogenation of carboxylic acid esters. A process for producing the materials is described. The catalysts permit the process of the hydrogenation of carboxylic acid esters to primary alcohols to be conducted with the ester in the liquid phase at a temperature not exceeding about 150.degree. C. with high selectivity. Catalysts of Group VIII transition metals and alkali metal on carbon are also useful in such processes.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of alcohols and derivatives thereof from the carbon residue of an organosilicon compound such that the resulting alcohol and derivatives thereof contain one carbon and one oxygen more than said carbon residue.

Abstract: Hexafluoropropylene may be conventionally oxidized to form an impure mixture comprising hexafluoroacetone and residual hexafluoropropylene, which materials are separable only with difficulty. The impure mixture may be subjected to reducing conditions to hydrogenate the hexafluoroacetone to a hexafluoroisopropanol product, which product is easily separable from the hexafluoropropylene impurity, which impurity may be recycled for further oxygenation and production of the acetone. Alternatively, hexafluoroisopropanol may be conventionally made from hexachloroacetone to form an impure mixture of hexafluoroacetone and HF. When this impure mixture is hydrogenated, the resulting hexafluoroisopropanol, mixed with hydrogen fluoride, is formed. Either of these alcohol products may be reacted with hydrogen fluoride and a formaldehyde to obtain a fluoromethyl-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl ether, which is a useful anesthetic.

Abstract: Fluoroalkoxysulfur fluorides of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is H, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3, or C.sub.2 F.sub.5, and n is 1 or 2; their preparation by reaction of lithium fluoroalkoxides with sulfur tetrafluoride; their use as fluorinating agents to replace OH groups in organic molecules with F; and halocarbon solutions of lithium fluoroalkoxides.

Abstract: An apparatus and process useful in direct fluorination of a variety of compositions, as well as the fluorinated compositions themselves, are disclosed.The apparatus comprises a cryogenic zone reactor, such as a packed column reactor, suitably divided into a plurality of independently controllable cryogenic temperature zones. Means are also provided to introduce a reactant to be fluorinated as well as to introduce a mixture of fluorine gas and an inert gas.New fluorinated compounds are also disclosed. These include: perfluoro-2-methoxyethyl ether; perfluoro-1,4-dioxane; perfluoro-2,5-diketohexane; perfluorohexamethylethane; and monohydropentadecafluoroadamantane.Additionally, new syntheses for trifluoroacetic acid, a commercially significant bulk chemical, are disclosed. One synthesis comprises producing perfluoroethyl acetate by direct fluorination using a cryogenic zone reactor, followed by hydrolysis of perfluoroethyl acetate. Two moles of the acid are produced for each mole of ester.

Abstract: A process is described for the heterogeneous hydrogenation of fluorine-containing alkyl, cycloalkyl, and benzene carboxylic acids to the corresponding primary alcohols. The hydrogenation can be carried out in the liquid or vapor phase in the presence of a solid rhodium or iridium catalyst, employed as the metal, metallic oxide, or mixture thereof. In the liquid phase, the hydrogenation can be carried out batchwise under mild conditions of temperature and pressure, preferably at about 50.degree.-150.degree. C. and about 5-15 atmospheres, in an atmosphere containing hydrogen gas. A preferred embodiment is the hydrogenation of trifluoroacetic acid in the liquid phase to 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, said alcohol being useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of the anesthetic, isoflurane, CF.sub.3 CHClOCHF.sub.2.

Abstract: A process is described for the heterogeneous hydrogenation of haloalkyl, halocycloalkyl or haloaryl carboxylic anhydrides to the corresponding primary alcohols. In the haloalkyl or halocycloalkyl carboxylic anhydrides at least one halogen is in the alpha-position relative to the carboxylic anhydride grouping. The hydrogenation can be carried out in the liquid or vapor phase in the presence of a supported or unsupported catalyst comprising a member of the group consisting of rhodium, iridium, metal oxides thereof, or mixtures thereof. In the liquid phase, the hydrogenation can be carried out batchwise under mild conditions of temperature and pressure, preferably at about 50.degree.-150.degree. C. and about 5-15 atmospheres, in an atmosphere containing hydrogen gas. A preferred embodiment is the hydrogenation of trifluoroacetic anhydride in the liquid phase to 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, said alcohol being useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of the anesthetic, isoflurane, CF.sub.3 CHClOCHF.sub.2.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing the alkali metal salts of dinitromethane by effecting the saponification of methyl cyanodinitroacetate previously prepared by the nitration of methyl cyanooximinoacetate.

Abstract: A novel process is described for the homogeneous hydrogenation of carboxylic acid esters to primary alcohols utilizing anionic Group VIII metal hydride compositions as catalysts which contain phosphorus, arsenic or antimony organoligands. Use of these anionic catalysts allows the process to be conducted in solution under mild conditions of temperature and pressure with high selectivity and eliminates the disadvantages of utilizing heterogeneous catalysts. A process is also described for decarbonylating formate esters utilizing said compositions as catalysts.

Abstract: Esters are treated with alkali metal borohydride to produce alcohols. Substantially constant boiling admixtures of: methanol/methyl heptafluorobutyrate, water/1,1-dihydroheptafluorobutanol, and water/methyl heptafluorobutyrate are described.

Abstract: 2-(perfluoroalkyl)-ethanols of the formula R.sub.f CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH are obtained from 2-(perfluoroalkyl)-ethyl iodides of the formula R.sub.f CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 I as a mixture with 2-(perfluoroalkyl)-ethylenes of the formula R.sub.f CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 and possibly also with 2-(perfluoroalkyl)-ethylcarboxylic acid esters of the formula R.sub.f CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCOR. From these mixtures, the 2-(perfluoroalkyl)-ethanols are obtained with a high purity degree when adding during the distillation separation as entrainer an alkanol having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms or a monoalkyl ether of ethyleneglycol the alkyl radical of which contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a mixture of such alkanols and/or alkylglycols, and in the presence of 2-(perfluoroalkyl)-ethylcarboxylic acid esters, furthermore an acidic ester interchange catalyst.

Abstract: 2-(perfluoroalkyl)-ethanols of the formulaR.sub.f CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OHin which R.sub.f is a perfluoroalkyl radical having from 1 to 21 carbon atoms, are prepared in an advantageous manner from the corresponding 2-(perfluoroalkyl)-ethyl iodides by reaction with water and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, thus reducing formation of by-products.

Abstract: Esters are treated with alkali metal borohydride to produce alcohols. Substantially constant boiling admixtures of: methanol/methyl heptafluorobutyrate, water/1,1-dihydroheptafluorobutanol, and water/methyl heptafluorobutyrate are described.

Abstract: Water is removed from fluorinated alcohols, e.g., fluoroalkanols by intimately contacting the same with a tetrahydrocarbylammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for the preparation of a pinacol of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical or different and represent optionally substituted aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic or an aromatic hydrocarbon radical by reducing a ketone of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the abovementioned meanings with a base metal, the improvement comprising carrying out the reduction in the presence of an organic halogen compound and in the presence of a phosphoric acid amide, phosphoric acid ester and/or carboxylic acid amide.

Abstract: Esters are treated with alkali metal borohydride to produce alcohols. Substantially constant boiling admixtures of: methanol/methyl heptafluorobutyrate, water/1,1-dihydroheptafluorobutanol, and water/methyl heptafluorobutyrate are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the process of preparing perfluoro functional compounds from a perfluorohalogenoalkane having the general formula:R.sub.F Xwherein R.sub.F is a saturated, unsaturated, straight, or branched chain perfluoroalkyl radical containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and X is selected from chlorine, bromine, or iodine, comprising reacting said perfluorohalogenoalkane with a functionalizing reagent in the presence of a metallic couple dispersed in a sulfoxide-type solvent, said metallic couple having the general formula:M.sub.1 /M.sub.2wherein M.sub.1 is metal selected from Group IB, IIA, IIB, or IIIA of the Periodic Table and M.sub.2 is a metal having an electrochemical potential such that it can be deposited on metal M.sub.1.