Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing alkali metal alcoholates by reacting alcohol with alkali metal in an aprotic, organic solvent in the presence of an H acceptor such as e.g. isoprene, butadiene, styrene or methyl styrene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bisglycoluril derivative composition useful for selectively covering methane from a gas stream including carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process for preparing a glycerol from a crude glycerol comprising a glycerol, a diol and water, comprising feeding the crude glycerol to a preparation apparatus comprising two or more, serially connected flash towers and a distillation tower connected to a final flash tower, wherein a bottom fraction of each flash tower is fed to a subsequent flash tower; and adjusting an internal pressure of each flash tower to from 0.13 to 40 kPa, an internal temperature of each flash tower to 140° C. or less, a water content of the bottom fraction of the final flash tower to 0.1% by weight or less, and a pressure at bottom of the distillation tower to from 0.13 to 0.90 kPa.

Abstract: A process for preparing 1,6-hexanediol from a carboxylic acid mixture obtained as by-product in the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol with oxygen or oxygen-comprising gases and by aqueous extraction of the reaction mixture and comprising adipic acid, 6-hydroxycaproic acid and small amounts of 1,4-cyclohexanediols by esterification of the acids and hydrogenation, by a) reacting the mono- and dicarboxylic acids in the aqueous dicarboxylic acid mixture with a low molecular weight alcohol to form the corresponding carboxylic esters, b) conducting a first distillation to remove excess alcohol and low boilers from the esterification mixture obtained, c) conducting a second distillation to separate the bottom product into an ester fraction which is essentially free from 1,4-cyclohexanediols and a fraction which includes at least the larger proportion of the 1,4-cyclohexanediols, d) subjecting the ester fraction essentially free from 1,4-cyclohexanediols to a catalytic hydrogenation, and e)

Abstract: Ethylene glycol and a carbonate ester are simultaneously produced by reacting ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide to form ethylene carbonate, hydrolyzing of the solution containing the ethylene carbonate to obtain ethylene glycol, purifying ethylene glycol, transesterifying ethylene carbonate and a hydroxyl group-containing compound to form the corresponding carbonate ester and ethylene glycol, separating the carbonate ester and separating ethylene carbonate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulverulent sorbitol, characterized in that it exhibits a hygroscopicity value, determined according to a test A, of less than 2%, preferably of less than 1.7%, and a specific surface, determined according to the BET method, at least equal to 2 m2/g, preferably at least equal to 2.2 m2/g, and also relates to its process of preparation. The invention also relates to compositions intended in particular for the food and pharmaceutical fields and to the use of the said pulverulent sorbitol in the preparation of tablets exhibiting a <<smooth in the mouth>> texture.

Abstract: A novel process for producing alcohols, characterized by reacting an organic halide represented by the formula R—X (wherein R means an organic residue and X means a halogen atom) with oxygen molecules in the presence of an organotin compound and a reducing agent and optionally in the presence of a free-radical inhibitor in an amount up to 0.3 equivalent based on the organic halide to obtain an alcohol represented by the general formula R—OH (wherein R has the same meaning as the above).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyvalent alcohols by hydrogenation of an aldehyde. According to the invention said aldehyde is obtained by aldolisation reaction of an aldehyde containing an &agr; hydrogen atom and having the formula R1CHO, or the mixture of said aldehyde with a second different aldehyde having the formula or R2CHO, wherein R1 is selected from alkyl having 1-12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl, aryl and aralkyl having 1-14 carbon atoms, and R2 is selected from H, alkyl having 1-12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl, aryl and aralkyl having 1-14 carbon atoms, said aldolisation being carried out in the presence of a weak base anion exchange resin, and the hydrogenation being carried out in the presence of a solvent and a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: A method for producing 2-substituted glycerols having various levels of hydroxy group protection by opening dihydroxyacetone dimer in a nonaqueous, non-protic environment with a composition that initially protects both of the liberated 1,3-dihydroxy groups to form di-ether containing ketone monomers which can then be conveniently subjected to ketone addition reactions and standard chemical functional group manipulations.

Abstract: High purity ethylene glycol containing 2000 ppm or less aldehyde is contacted with a solid strong acid cation exchange resin and an ethylene glycol product reduced in aldehydes content is recovered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the selective hydrogenation of reaction mixtures from the hydroformylation of C5 to C24 olefins using hydrogen and a supported catalyst which, as active components, comprises copper, nickel and chromium.

Abstract: D-mannitol having a specific surface area of not less than about 1 m2/g is disclosed. The D-mannitol shows improved compressibility and is useful as an excipient.

Abstract: Reduction in the content of acetals or ketone acetals in a reaction mixture containing at least 10 moles alcohol per mole acetal or ketone acetal can be achieved hydrogenolytically when the reaction mixture is hydrogenated at 80° to 250° C. at a hydrogen partial pressure of 0.5 to 30 MPa in the presence of activated carbon charged with noble metal as catalyst.

Abstract: D-mannitol having a specific surface area of not less than about 1 m2/g is disclosed. The D-mannitol shows improved compressibility and is useful as an excipient.

Abstract: A novel method for making palatinitol comprising a first step of epimerising isomaltose under conditions enabling a mixture of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-D-mannose and isomaltose to be achieved, a second step of catalytically hydrogenating the mixture, and a third step of chromatographically depleting the isomaltitol in the hydrogenated mixture to give a roughly equimolecular mixture of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-D-sorbitol and &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-D-mannitol.

Abstract: This invention relates in part to processes for producing one or more substituted or unsubstituted 1,6-hexanediols which comprise subjecting one or more substituted or unsubstituted penten-1-ols to reductive hydroformylation in the presence of a reductive hydroformylation catalyst, e.g., a metal-organophosphorus ligand complex catalyst, to produce said one or more substituted or unsubstituted 1,6-hexanediols. The substituted and unsubstituted 1,6-hexanediols produced by the processes of this invention can undergo further reaction(s) to afford desired derivatives thereof, e.g., epsilon caprolactone. This invention also relates in part to reaction mixtures containing one or more substituted or unsubstituted 1,6-hexanediols as principal product(s) of reaction.

Abstract: A process for producing an alkylene glycol, which is a continuous process for producing an alkylene glycol comprising the following steps (1) to (4), wherein the hydrolysis step (2) is divided into a plurality of stages, and the hydrolysis is carried out so that the water concentration in a reaction stage wherein the conversion of the alkylene carbonate is at least 60%, is from 15 to 30 wt %: (1) a carbonating step of reacting an alkylene oxide with carbon dioxide gas in the presence of a carbonating catalyst to form a reaction solution containing an alkylene carbonate, (2) a hydrolysis step of hydrolyzing the reaction solution obtained in step (1) while releasing carbon dioxide gas, to form an aqueous alkylene glycol solution, (3) a distillation step of distilling the aqueous alkylene glycol solution to obtain at least a dehydrated alkylene glycol and a solution containing the carbonating catalyst, and (4) a recycling step of supplying the solution containing the carbonating catalyst to the carbonating s

Abstract: Process for regiospecific preparation of new 3-hydroxypyridine-4(1H)-one derivatives starting from monosaccharides or itols of general formula: in which R represents a radical, either saturated or not, branched or not, having carbon-atom groups, and having hetero-atoms or not, and Sub represents a saccharide derivative or an itol, either cyclic not, protected or not, the hydrocarbon skeleton of which is bound to the nitrogen atom of the pyridinone either directly or by the intermediary of a spacing group. The present invention is characterized in that the process comprises a first step of protection of the 3-hydroxy group of the pyranone derivative, a second basocatalyzed step of substitution of the intracyclic oxygen atom of the pyranone by the nitrogen atom of the amine function of the amino monosaccharide or amino itol, and a third step of de-protection of the 3-OH group of the pyridinone cycle and possibly of the OH groups of the glucide or itol residue.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for producing one or more substituted or unsubstituted 1,6-hexanediols, e.g., 1,6-hexanediol, which comprise subjecting one or more substituted or unsubstituted alkadienes to hydrocarbonylation in the presence of a hydrocarbonylation catalyst, e.g., a metal-organophosphorus ligand complex catalyst, and a promoter and optionally free ligand to produce said one or more substituted or unsubstituted 1,6-hexanediols. The substituted and unsubstituted 1,6-hexanediols produced by the processes of this invention can undergo further reaction(s) to afford desired derivatives thereof, e.g., epsilon caprolactone. This invention also relates in part to reaction mixtures containing one or more substituted or unsubstituted 1,6-hexanediols as principal product(s) of reaction.

Abstract: Provided are a flame-retardant polycarbonate resin composition capable of being formed into moldings having good impact resistance, high strength and good thermal stability that are intrinsic to polycarbonate resins and having good antistatic properties and good flame retardancy, and also injection moldings of the composition. The composition comprises 100 parts by weight of a resin or resin mixture of (A) from 50 to 100% by weight of a polycarbonate resin and (B) from 0 to 50% by weight of a styrenic resin, from 1 to 50 parts by weight of (C) a flame retardant, and from 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of (D) an anionic antistatic agent, and has a sodium sulfate content of at most 0.05% by weight. Optionally, the composition may contain (F) a fluoro-olefinic resin, (G) a rubber-like elastomer, and (H) an inorganic filler.

Abstract: The continuous process for making crystalline D-sorbitol using a melt crystallizer consisting of a cooled container and a horizontally arranged rotatable shaft equipped with disk elements and mixing parts to form a worm includes evaporating an aqueous D-sorbitol solution at 5 to 200 mbar and at a temperature of 130.degree. to 170.degree. C. in vacuum, advantageously in a thin film evaporator, to obtain a D-sorbitol melt containing less than 0.5 % by weight water; cooling the D-sorbitol melt to a temperature of 5 to 15.degree. C. above a solidification point of the D-sorbitol melt; melt crystallizing the D-sorbitol melt obtained during the evaporating in the melt crystallizer with an average dwell time of 1 to 5 hours to form D-sorbitol crystals and grinding and sieving the D-sorbitol crystals formed during the melt crystallizing of step d) to form a D-sorbitol end product containing more than 90% by weight of a .gamma. modification of crystalline D-sorbitol.

Abstract: Allyl alcohol is hydroformated to 1,4-butanediol using a rhodium and trialkyl phosphine catalyst having at least 2 methyl groups, the reaction first being carried out at milder conditions and subsequently at more, severe conditions.

Abstract: A lavage solution for intestinal tract which is easily applied in a treatment conducted prior to endoscopy of the intestines, surgery of the intestines and the like and hardly generates foam upon actual use and is stable as a pharmaceutical preparation is disclosed. The lavage solution for intestinal tract is an emulsified liquid mainly consisting of water-soluble high-molecular compound and electrolyte and an antifoaming agent of a silicone type.

Abstract: 1,4-Butanediol is prepared by a process which comprises converting 1,3-butadiene diepoxide in the presence of hydrogen over a hydrogenation catalyst whose active component is not elemental Pd and/or Pt. The hydrogenation catalyst preferably contains at least one element from the group Ib, VIIb or VIIIb of the Periodic Table of Elements.

Abstract: A water and allylic compound containing propoxylated glycerin stream is reduced in water content by evaporation and flashed at reduced pressure and elevated temperature to reduce the water content to 1000 ppm or less, and thereafter stripping allylic impurities from the propyxylated glycerin.

Abstract: In a process for producing aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-diols comprising 4 to 12 C atoms from aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dicarboxylic acids comprising 4 to 12 C atoms, an oligoester of average chain length n=3 to n=4.5 and with an acid number of 40 to 60 mg KOH/g reaction mixture is first formed from a diol and a dicarboxylic acid, which oligoester is thereafter catalytically hydrogenated in the liquid phase. Hydrogenation is carried out continuously at 180 to 250.degree. C. and at an H.sub.2 pressure of 100 to 400 bar, over a pelletised catalyst which is free from Zn oxide and which comprises pressed powders of Cu, Mn and Al oxides with a content of at least one oxide of metals of subgroup VI of the periodic table of the elements (Mendeleev). The amount of H.sub.2 is 20 to 100 times the amount required stoichiometrically.

Abstract: A process for producing a high-purity erythritol crystal comprising a crystallization step of subjecting an erythritol-containing aqueous solution as a raw solution to crystallization, wherein an erythritol concentration of said erythritol-containing aqueous solution is adjusted to 30 to 60% by weight at the beginning of the crystallization step; said erythritol-containing aqueous solution is cooled at a cooling rate of not more than 20.degree. C./hour; a seed crystal of erythritol is added to said erythritol-containing aqueous solution in the course of the cooling, and the solution is cooled to not more than 20.degree. C. Such a process for producing a high-purity erythritol crystal of the present invention has a still higher purity and is further improved in crystal shape as compared to those produced by conventional processes.

Abstract: Reaction at the interface of an organic solution containing an acidic reactant and an aqueous alkaline solution containing nonreducing carbohydrates such as sucrose, sugar alcohols, cyclodextrins, and polysaccharides imparts a specificity to the reaction for one or more of the primary alcohol groups of the carbohydrate reactant. The resulting activated, nonreducing carbohydrate intermediate can then be converted to a series of substantially pure, low molecular weight reaction products, including a sucrose trimer and dianhydrosucrose, and to a series of substantially pure, higher molecular weight reaction products, including 6-O-sucro cyclodextrins and poly-6-O-sucro amylose.

Abstract: 1,6-Hexanediol is prepared from a carboxylic acid mixture comprising adipic acid, 6-hydroxycaproic acid and small amounts of 1,4-cyclohexanediols which is obtained as a by-product in the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol by water extraction of the reaction mixture, by esterification of the acids and hydrogenation whereina) the monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids present in the aqueous dicarboxylic acid mixture are reacted with a low molecular weight alcohol to give the corresponding carboxylic esters,b) the resulting esterification mixture is freed of excess alcohol and low boilers in a first distillation stage,c) the bottoms are fractionated in a second distillation stage to give an ester fraction essentially free of 1,4-cyclohexanediols and a fraction comprising at least the major part of the 1,4-cyclohexanediols,d) the ester fraction essentially free of 1,4-cyclohexanediols is catalytically hydrogenated ande) in a pure distillation stage, 1,6-hexanediol is isolated from the hydrogena

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing xylitol from a material containing xylose and xylonic acid. According to the method, xylose and xylonic acid are separated from the material containing xylose and xylonic acid, whereafter the separated xylose and xylonic acid are reduced to xylitol, and the xylitol is recovered.

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: The invention comprises spray dried erythritol which may also be agglomerated. The product is a free-flowing powder which preferably has 60% or more of its particles in the range 10 to 250 microns. The product is useful as a sweetener for which it is particularly adapted to be combined with a synthetic sweetener such as aspartame. The product is also useful in combination with a binder, particularly a potato maltodextrin, as a tabletting composition. The invention also comprises a process for making the product.

Abstract: A process for preparing 1,6-hexanediol comprising hydrogenating a starting material containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of adipic acid, .epsilon.-hydroxycaproic acid, .epsilon.-caprolactone and oligomers of .epsilon.-caprolactone, preferably a substance recovered from a reaction mixture resulting from liquid phase oxidization of cyclohexane for the production of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, in a liquid phase in the presence of a solid catalyst containing ruthenium and tin.

Abstract: A solid, particulate catalyst composition is provided containing an active nickel component in which the nickel constitutes from about 25 to about 60 wt % of the catalyst composition; a molybdenum component in which the molybdenum constitutes from about 5 to about 20 wt % of the catalyst composition; and a binder component comprising at least one of oxides of silica, zirconium, aluminum, zinc and calcium, each of the calcium, aluminum and zinc being present in an amount no greater than about 2 wt %, preferably about 0 to 1 wt %. The catalyst is designed for the selective hydrogenation of 3-hydroxypropanal to 1,3-propanediol in aqueous solution.

Abstract: Methods, compounds, compositions and kits that relate to pretargeted delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents are disclosed. In particular, methods for radiometal labeling of biotin and for improved radiohalogenation of biotin, as well as related compounds, are described. Also, clearing agents, anti-ligand-targeting moiety conjugates, target cell retention enhancing moieties and additional methods are discussed.

Abstract: A process for preparing bis(hydroxymethyl) compounds of the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 represent identical or different electronegative groups, which process entails reacting C--H-acidic compounds of the formula (II) ##STR2## wherein X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are as defined above, with formaldehyde, wherein the reaction is carried out in an anhydrous medium.

Abstract: Propylene is oxidized with molecular oxygen in the liquid phase to form products including propylene oxide, propylene glycol, propylene glycol esters, allyl alcohol, acrolein and acetal, the acrolein is hydrogenated to allyl alcohol, the acetol is hydrogenated to propylene glycol, the propylene glycol esters are hydrolyzed to propylene glycol, and propylene oxide, propylene glycol and allyl alcohol are recovered as products.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of D-arabitol, characterised in that it comprises the following stages:hydrolysis of a lactose solution,oxidation of the mixture of glucose and galactose thus obtained to a mixture of gluconic and galactonic acids,decarboxylation of this mixture of gluconic and galactonic acids to a mixture of D-arabinose and D-lyxose,catalytic hydrogenation of this mixture of D-arabinose and D-lyxose to D-arabitol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new class of carbohydrate based nonionic surfactant, i.e., alkyl and alkenyl glycasuccinamide, and a process for their manufacture.

Abstract: An alkanediol such as 1,3-propanediol is prepared in a process which involves reacting an alkylene oxide with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an essentially non-water-miscible solvent in the presence of a non-phosphine-ligated cobalt catalyst and a lipophilic ruthenium promoter to produce an intermediate product mixture containing a hydroxyalkanal in an amount less than 15 wt %; extracting the hydroxyalkanal from the intermediate product mixture into an aqueous liquid at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C. and separating the aqueous phase containing hydroxyalkanal from the organic phase containing cobalt catalyst; hydrogenating the hydroxyalkanal in the aqueous phase to an alkanediol; and recovering the alkanediol.The process enables the production of an alkanediol such as 1,3-propanediol in high yields and selectivity without the use of a phosphine ligand-modified cobalt catalyst.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a pentitol. The disclosed method more particularly relates to producing arabinitol from hexoses, e.g. galactose and/or glucose, and/or fructose, or lactose hydrolysate, or invert sugar, or starch hydrolysates. The hexose is oxidatively decarboxylated to a C.sub.5 -aldonic acid which is thereafter catalytically hydrogenated to obtain the desired arabinitol.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing tertiary alcohols by radical addition of secondary alcohols to alkenes. The reaction is carried out as a continuous process in the presence of an organic peroxide as a radical initiator and during a mean contact time of the reaction mixture of up to a maximum of 1 hour.

Abstract: Esters associating phenylacetic, 3-phenylpropionic, 4-phenylbutyric and n-butyric acids with Su(OH).sub.n monosaccharides or sugar alcohols, of general formula (I), in which the Su(OH).sub.n precursor is a monosaccharide or sugar alcohol, selected so that its structure or that of its derivatives ensures that internal interesterification does not take place either because the ester based on the general formula does not have a free hydroxyl grouping, or because with regard to the ester grouping, the free hydroxyl groupings are remotely located and/or badly aligned and/or bonded to a secondary carbon atom, and in which the Su(OH).sub.n monosaccharide or sugar alcohol is preferably D-mannose carrying the ester grouping on the anomeric carbon atom or else is a pentitol, for example, xylitol carrying the ester grouping on the C-1 primary carbon atom. These novel esters are useful as drugs, in particular in the treatment of haemoglobin diseases and premalignant or malignant tumours.

Abstract: A process for producing an unsaturated alcohol wherein the catalytic activity and the capability of maintaining double bond are sustained for a long time and side-reactions are suppressed. An unsaturated alcohol is obtained by hydrogenating an alkyl or alkenyl ester of an unsaturated fatty acid or a triglyceride having a long-chain aliphatic unsaturated hydrocarbon group in the presence of a catalytic composition which is a composite metal oxide consisting of (a) zinc oxide and (b) oxide(s) of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of the elements of the group 3A in the periodic table and having a weight ratio of (a)/(b) of from 1/0.01 to 1/1.2.

Abstract: A rehydration formulation which enhances a subjects ability to quickly recover from dehydration. The rehydration formulation includes a glycerol solution combined with a carbohydrate or sodium to produce a desired result. The glycerol solution combats the ill-effects of dehydration by increasing plasma osmolality thereby preventing loss of osmotic stimulus to thirst and enabling full rehydration to occur.

Abstract: Novel substrates of phospholipases, lysophospholipases and lipases are disclosed.

Abstract: A process is described for producing acetals comprising reacting an aldehyde or a ketone with an alcohol in the presence of a titanium compound having an acetylacetone as a ligand, or in the presence of a compound selected from the group consisting of stannous chloride dihydrate, cerium chloride hexahydrate and bismuth chloride. The process can be used in the synthesis of unstable acetals or when water exists in the reaction mixture, and therefore the process can be used for a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: 1,3-propanediol is prepared from 3-hydroxypropanal in a process comprising the steps of:(a) contacting, at a temperature within the range of about 50.degree. to about 100.degree. C. and a pressure within the range of about 500 to about 5000 psig, ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an essentially non-water-miscible solvent in the presence of an effective amount of a non-phosphine-ligated cobalt or rhodium catalyst and an effective amount of a catalyst promoter under reaction conditions effective to produce an intermediate product mixture comprising less than 15 wt % 3-hydroxypropanal;(b) adding an aqueous liquid to said intermediate product mixture and extracting into said aqueous liquid a major portion of the 3-hydroxypropanal at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new class of carbohydrate based nonionic surfactant, i.e., alkyl and alkenyl glycasuccinamide, and a process for their manufacture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyol composition exhibiting a very high heat stability and a very high chemical stability, characterized in that it exhibits an optical density lower than or equal to 0.100 in an S test. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of such a composition, this process consisting in subjecting a polyol syrup to a stabilization stage such as a fermentation, an oxidation or a caramelization, and then to a purification stage. The invention also relates to the application of this composition to the manufacture of products using alkalis or undergoing a heat treatment at high temperature.