Abstract: Methods for hydrogenolysis are described which use a Re-containing multimetallic catalyst for hydrogenolysis of both C—O and C—C bonds. Methods and compositions for reactions of hydrogen over a Re-containing catalyst with compositions containing a 6-carbon sugar, sugar alcohol, or glycerol are described. It has been surprisingly discovered that reaction with hydrogen over a Re-containing multimetallic catalyst resulted in superior conversion and selectivity to desired products such as propylene glycol.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a new additive for mineral binders comprising a composition containing at least one product of internal dehydration of a hydrogenated sugar which can especially be a dehydrated hexitol such as isosorbide, isomannide, sorbitan or mannitan and which can be introduced at a rate of between roughly 0.001 and 5% (dry/dry) within any mineral binder, said additive being advantageously used as an accelerator for setting and/or hardening and/or as an agent for improving the mechanical properties of the mineral binder. It has a remarkable efficiency, including at low temperatures.

Abstract: Formaldehyde is removed by distillation from reaction solutions containing a methlolated alkanal which was obtained from the reaction of formaldehyde with an alkanal which has at least one acidic hydrogen atom &agr; to the carbonyl function or from the reaction of a 2-alkylacrolein or acrolein with water and formaldehyde, by a process in which this reaction was carried out in the presence of catalytic amounts of organic amine. The process permits the improved removal of formaldehyde from the reaction mixture and furthermore facilitates the hydrogenation of the alkanals thus obtained to give polyols.

Abstract: In a process for the catalytic hydrogenation of a carbonyl compound or a mixture of two or more carbonyl compounds in the presence of catalyst tablets which comprise an inorganic, TiO2-containing support and, as active component, copper or a mixture of copper with at least one metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, aluminum, cerium, nobel metals and metals of transition group VIII and whose copper surface area is not more than 10 m2/g, the diameter d and/or the height h of the tablets is less than 3 mm.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing sorbitol by catalytic hydrogenation of a monosaccharide forming sorbitol on hydrogenation in the liquid phase, which comprises the catalyst being obtainable by:

Abstract: A process for producing sugar alcohols having six carbon atoms, which comprises hydrogenating ketohexose, such as psicose, tagatose, sorbose and the like, in the presence of a catalyst containing a metal selected from the elements belonging to the eighth family in the periodic table, such as nickel, ruthenium, platinum, palladium and the like, is provided. According to this process, sugar alcohols having six carbon atoms can be produced efficiently at a large amount, the separation and recovering of the catalyst after completing the reaction are facilitated, and sugar alcohols having a desired production ratio can be produced efficiently.

Abstract: The invention relates to the industrial conversion of carbohydrates, alcohols, aldehydes or polyhydroxy compounds in aqueous phase. According to the invention a catalytic method is used for the conversion, using a metal catalyst consisting of polymer-stabilized nanoparticles. A catalyst of this type is not deactivated by the conversion reaction as long as the stabilizing interaction between the polymer and the nanoparticles is maintained.

Abstract: A textured catalyst having a hydrothermally-stable support, a metal oxide and a catalyst component is described. Methods of conducting aqueous phase reactions that are catalyzed by a textured catalyst are also described. The invention also provides methods of making textured catalysts and methods of making chemical products using a textured catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to the industrial conversion of carbohydrates, alcohols, aldehydes or polyhydroxy compounds in aqueous phase. According to the invention a catalytic method is used for the conversion, using a metal catalyst consisting of polymer-stabilized nanoparticles. A catalyst of this type is not deactivated by the conversion reaction as long as the stabilizing interaction between the polymer and the nanoparticles is maintained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyols having 3 or 4 hydroxyl groups, from an aldehyde and formaldehyde in the presence of water, followed by hydrogenation of the aldolisation product in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst at an elevated temperature. The aledhyde is obtained by an aldolisation reaction of an aldehyde having at least two &agr;-hydrogen atoms and a formula according to R1CH2CHO, wherein R1 is selected from a group comprising hydrogen, alkyl groups having 1-7 carbon atoms which can have cycloalkyl substituents, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups and aralkyl groups with 1-7 carbon atoms is the alkyl chain, with formaldehyde in the presence of water in an amount of 20-70 wt %, preferably 40-60 wt % and in the presence of an anion exchange resin. The hydrogenation is preferably carried out in the presence of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of xylitol. The process utilises ribulose for the preparation of xylitol and involves several different conversion reactions, such as reduction, epimerisation and/or isomerisation. The present invention also relates to the use of ribulose for the preparation of xylitol.

Abstract: A process for greatly improving the color index of polyhydric alcohols, especially trimethylolpropane, by hydrogenation comprises using, in the hydrogenation, an alcohol which has already been purified by distillation. The catalysts used are those conventionally employed in hydrogenations, preferably copper, nickel, palladium or ruthenium catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of converting sugars to their corresponding sugar alcohols by catalytic hydrogenation in the aqueous phase. It has been found that surprisingly superior results can be obtained by utilizing a relatively low temperature (less than 120° C.), selected hydrogenation conditions, and a hydrothermally stable catalyst. These results include excellent sugar conversion to the desired sugar alcohol, in combination with long life under hydrothermal conditions.

Abstract: A method for preparation of alcohols by catalytic hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds with hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst of Raney type, where the catalyst is used in the form of hollow bodies, Preferred as catalytically active components are nickel, cobalt, copper, iron, platinum, palladium or ruthenium.

Abstract: Mixtures of isomeric nonanols and decanols are obtained by joint aldol condensation of n-butanal and pentanals, and up to 1% by weight of 3-methylbutanal, hydrogenation of the aldol condensation product to the corresponding saturated alcohols, and separation from the reaction mixture of the components boiling at temperatures lower than those of the nonanols and decanols. The pentanals are mixtures of 60 to 90% by weight of n-pentanal and 10 to 40% by weight of 2-methylbutanal. The alcohol mixture is especially suitable for preparing ester plasticizers.

Abstract: A process for converting lactose into polyols that includes (a) hydrolyzing lactose to produce a hydrolyzate that includes at least one monosaccharide, (b) subsequently hydrogenating the hydrolyzate to produce an alditol-containing intermediate composition, and (c) hydrogenolyzing the alditol-containing intermediate composition to produce at least one polyol.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reactions of hydrogen over a Re-containing catalyst with compositions containing a 5-carbon sugar, sugar alcohol, or lactic acid are described. It has been surprisingly discovered that reaction with hydrogen over a Re-containing multimetallic catalyst resulted in superior conversion and selectivity to desired products such as propylene glycol. A process for the synthesis of PG from lactate or lactic acid is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of converting sugars to their corresponding sugar alcohols by catalytic hydrogenation in the aqueous phase. It has been found that surprisingly superior results can be obtained by utilizing a relatively low temperature (less than 120° C.), selected hydrogenation conditions, and a hydrothermally stable catalyst. These results include excellent sugar conversion to the desired sugar alcohol, in combination with long life under hydrothermal conditions.

Abstract: To obtain a Raney catalyst for fixed bed permitting a continuous use with a high initial activity and to produce a high purity sugar-alcohol at a low cost using the same. For this object, sugar-alcohol is produced by: using the powder type Raney catalyst made by using for the hydrogenation under the hydrogen pressure a lump form Raney catalyst made by (i) the first step for melting nickel and aluminum, (ii) the second step for obtaining quenched lump alloy by quenching droplets of said melted mixture and (iii) the third step for classifying and activating said quenched lump alloy as it is or once it is broken, collecting said lump form Raney catalyst, crushing into powder and reactivating, and hydrogenating sugars under the hydrogen pressure.

Abstract: Diallylic sulfides represented by Formula I wherein: R1 and R2 are independently chosen from the group consisting of —CHO, —CH2Cl, —CH2Br, —CH2I, —CH2OH, CH2OSO2CF3, —CH2OSO2Ph, —CH2OSO2C6H4CH3 and —CH2OSO2CH3 and processes for making the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for the preparation of a high-purity hydrogenated ose by catalytic hydrogenation of the corresponding ose in falling film reactors, wherein the hydrogenation is carried out in a series of fixed beds of ruthenium catalyst comprising: a) a first hydrogenation zone consisting of at least one fixed bed of ruthenium catalyst, and b) a second hydrogenation zone consisting of at least one fixed bed of ruthenium catalyst containing a promoter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparation of low molecular weight polyols from high molecular weight polyols in a hydrogenolysis reaction under elevated temperature and hydrogen pressure. The process comprises providing in a reaction mixture the polyols, a base, and a metal catalyst prepared by depositing a transition metal salt on an inert support, reducing the metal salt to the metal with hydrogen, and passivating the metal with oxygen, and wherein the catalyst is reduced with hydrogen prior to the reaction. In particular, the process provides for the preparation of glycerol, propylene glycol, and ethylene glycol from sugar alcohols such as sorbitol or xylitol. In a preferred process, the metal catalyst comprises ruthenium which is deposited on an alumina, titania, or carbon support, and the dispersion of the ruthenium on the support increases during the hydrogenolysis reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition, comprising one or more polyols, which has prolonged deformability and can be processed to give tablets, compacts or boiled sweets having improved properties.

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: An essentially nickel- and rhenium-free catalyst is described comprising ruthenium on a titania support where the titania is greater than 75% rutile. A catalytic system containing a nickel-free catalyst comprising ruthenium on a titania support where the titania is greater than 75% rutile, and a method using this catalyst in the hydrogenation of an organic compound in the aqueous phase is also described.

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: A carbonyl compound or a mixture of two or more carbonyl compounds is catalytically hydrogenated in the presence of a Raney copper catalyst in the form of nuggets.

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: A process for the hydrogenation of a sugar or a mixture of two or more thereof comprises the following step: Bringing the sugar or the mixture of two or more thereof into contact with hydrogen in the presence of specific catalysts to give a sugar alcohol or a mixture of two or more thereof, wherein the catalyst comprises at least one metal of transition group VIII of the Periodic Table, either alone or together with at least one metal of transition group I or VII of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: Epimer-free sugar alcohols can be prepared from the corresponding sugars by catalytic hydrogenation with hydrogen in aqueous solution, the hydrogenation being carried out continuously at a hydrogen pressure of 100 to 400 bar and a reaction temperature of 20 to 70.degree. C. on support-free shaped bodies which are arranged in a fixed bed and are made of pressed powders of metals or alloys of the elements of the iron subgroup of subgroup VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements together with elements of subgroup IV and/or V. The shaped bodies have a compressive strength of 20 to 220 N and an internal surface area of 10 to 100 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: The sugar alcohols mentioned as title compounds can be prepared from the corresponding sugar in equimolar amounts by catalytic hydrogenation with hydrogen in aqueous solution, the hydrogenation being carried out continuously at an H.sub.2 pressure of 100 to 400 bar and a reaction temperature of 20 to 80.degree. C. using fixed-bed support-free molded bodies composed of compacted powders of alloys of the elements of the iron subgroup of group VIIIA of the periodic table with elements of group IVB and VA. The molded bodies have a compressive strength of 20 to 220 N and an internal surface area of 10 to 95 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of an aromatic compound, in which at least one hydroxyl group is attached to an aromatic core, or an aromatic compound, in which at least one amino group is attached to an aromatic core, in the presence of a catalyst containing, as active metal, ruthenium and optionally one or more other Group IB, VIIB, or VIIIB metals, applied to a macroporous support.

Abstract: "A process for the preparation of palatinitol, wherein in a first stage, the epimerization of isomaltose is carried out under conditions which allow a mixture of .alpha.-D-glucopyranosyl-(1.fwdarw.6)-D-mannose and isomaltose to be obtained, in a second stage, the epimerized mixture is depleted of isomaltose so as to obtain a new mixture containing a roughly equimolecular proportion of .alpha.-D-glucopyranosyl-(1.fwdarw.6)-D-mannose and isomaltose, and in a third stage, catalytic hydrogenation is carried out on this roughly eqimolar mixture".

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: Trimethylolpropane of high purity is efficiently made by mixing the aldol reaction product of formaldehyde and n-butyraldehyde with at least about 20 wt % of a lower alcohol prior to hydrogenation. The alcohol addition also promotes hydrogenolysis of by-product esters at pressures below 3000 psig and allows recovery of high purity product by simple distillation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for direct decarbonylation of sugars. The method is based on the conversion of the sugars in the presence of a phosphine metal complex. These complexes are added in catalytic amounts if at the same time urea or an azide such as DPPA (diphenylphosphorylazide) or sodium azide is added. Through the use of other ligands the decarbonylation reaction can also be performed in water.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of producing a pentitol from a hexaldonic acid. The hexaldonic acid is decarboxylated for example in the presence of sodium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide. After hydrogenation and optionally isomerisation the desired pentitol, which is obtained in high yield, can be purified. The present invention starts from gluconic acid in free or salt form or as a lactone, xylitol is the final product.

Abstract: Sugar alcohols can be prepared from the corresponding sugars by catalytic hydrogenation in aqueous solution with hydrogen, the hydrogenation being carried out continuously at a hydrogen pressure of 100 to 400 bar and a reaction temperature of 40.degree. to 80.degree. C. on support-free shaped bodies which are arranged in a fixed bed and are composed of pressed powders of alloys of the elements of the iron sub group of sub group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements containing elements of sub group VI. The shaped bodies have a compressive strength of 20 to 250 N and an internal surface area of 10 to 80 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: The sugar alcohols mentioned as title compounds can be prepared from the corresponding sugars by catalytic hydrogenation in aqueous solution with hydrogen, the hydrogenation being carded out continuously at a hydrogen pressure of 100 to 400 bar and a reaction temperature of 40.degree. to 80.degree. C. on support-free shaped bodies which are arranged in a fixed bed and are composed of pressed powders of alloys of the elements of the iron sub group of sub group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements containing elements of sub group VI. The shaped bodies have a compressive strength of 20 to 250 N and an internal surface area of 10 to 80 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: A ruthenium-based hydrogenation catalyst, particularly but not exclusively for hydrogenolysis under pressure of higher polyhydric alcohols, comprises ruthenium supported on granular activated carbon, and has:a specific surface area of from 600 to 1000 m.sup.2 /g;a total pore volume of from 0.5 to 1.2 cm.sup.3 /g;an apparent specific weight (bulk density) of from 0.45 to 0.55 g/cm.sup.3 ;an actual specific weight of from 1.9 to 2.3 g/cm.sup.3 ;a total volume of micropores having a radius smaller than 75 A of from 0.4 to 0.55 cm.sup.3 /g; andan ash content of from 2 to 5% by weight.The catalyst is used in a method for the continuous production of lower polyhydric alcohols in a fixed bed reactor, by means of hydrogenolysis under pressure of higher polyhydric alcohols.

Abstract: The crystalline mixture solid containing maltitol of the present invention has a crushed and relatively tight crystal structure which can be observed at 1,000 magnifications by a scanning electron microscope, an apparent specific gravity in the range of 0.650-0.750, an oil absorptivity of the powdered crystalline mixture solid containing maltitol having a particle size from 50 mesh to 20 mesh in the range of 7.0%-17%, in other words, is relatively heavy in apparent specific gravity and low in oil absorptivity, and the crystalline mixture solid containing maltitol is prepared by continuously supplying an aqueous solution of maltitol to an extruder provided with elongated cooling and kneading zones, cooling and kneading it in the presence of seed crystals to form a maltitol magma, and continuously extruded from a nozzle.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polyoxyalkylene glycols or polyoxyalkylene glycol copolymers from polyoxyalkylene glycol formates or the formates of polyoxyalkylene glycol copolymers comprises reacting the formates of polyoxyalkylene glycols or of polyoxyalkylene glycol copolymers in the liquid phase in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst which contains, as catalytically active component, rhenium and/or at least one element from sub-group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Abstract: A ruthenium-based hydrogenation catalyst, particularly but not exclusively for hydrogenolysis under pressure of higher polyhydric alcohols, comprises ruthenium supported on granular activated carbon, and has:a specific surface area of from 600 to 1000 m.sup.2 /g;a total pore volume of from 0.5 to 1.2 cm.sup.3 /g;an apparent specific weight (bulk density) of from 0.45 to 0.55 g/cm.sup.3 ;an actual specific weight of from 1.9 to 2.3 g/cm.sup.3 ;a total volume of micropores having a radius smaller than 75 A of from 0.4 to 0.55 cm.sup.3 /g; andan ash content of from 2 to 5% by weight.The catalyst is used in a method for the continuous production of lower polyhydric alcohols in a fixed bed reactor, by means of hydrogenolysis under pressure of higher polyhydric alcohols.

Abstract: The crystalline mixture solid containing maltitol of the present invention has a crushed and relatively tight crystal structure which can be observed at 1,000 magnifications by a scanning electron microscope, an apparent specific gravity in the range of 0.650-0.750, an oil absorptivity of the powdered crystalline mixture solid containing maltitol having a particle size from 50 mesh to 20 mesh in the range of 7.0%-17%, in other words, is relatively heavy in apparent specific gravity and low in oil absorptivity, and the crystalline mixture solid containing maltitol is prepared by continuously supplying an aqueous solution of maltitol to an extruder provided with elongated cooling and kneading zones, cooling and kneading it in the presence of seed crystals to form a maltitol magma, and continuously extruded from a nozzle.

Abstract: A metallic catalyst composition on an inert support, suitable in particular for hydrogenolysis reactions of higher polyhydric alcohols, which comprises the following relative to 100 parts of the catalyst:a) 0.5 to 5 weight % ruthenium;b) 1 to 10 weight % tin.The catalyst is used in particular for producing lower polyhydric alcohols such as ethanediol, propylene glycol, butanediol and glycerol, by means of hydrogenolysis reaction of higher polyhydric alcohols.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for stereoselectively preparing a syn-dihydroxylated compound comprising reacting a 3-hydroxyket-1-one with a borohydride in the presence of titanium derivative.

Abstract: A metallic catalyst composition on an inert support, suitable in particular for hydrogenolysis reactions of higher polyhydric alcohols, characterised in that it comprises the following relative to 100 parts of the catalyst:a) 0.5 to 5 weight % ruthenium;b) 1 to 10 weight % of a metal selected from the group consisting of palladium, platinum and rhodium; andc) 0.5 to 2.5 weight % copper,in which the copper content is lower than the content of the metal b).The catalyst is used in particular for producing lower polyhydric alcohols such as ethanediol, propylene glycol, butanediol and glycerol, by means of hydrogenolysis reaction of higher polyhydric alcohols.

Abstract: A process for producing an optically active 1-substituted-1,3-propanediol is disclosed, comprising hydrogenating a 3-substituted-3-oxopropanol or 3-substituted-3-oxopropanal in the presence of a ruthenium-phosphine complex represented by formula (I):[RuI(p-cymene)(R.sup.1 BINAP)]I.sub.3 (I)wherein R.sup.1 -BINAP represents an optically active tertiary phosphine represented by formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a phenyl group which may be substituted with a lower alkyl group or a halogen atom at the p-position and/or m-position.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of 1,2-propylene glycol, wherein dihydroxyacetone is hydrogenolytically converted to 1,2-propylene glycol in a single stage using a catalyst.

Abstract: A ruthenium-based hydrogenation catalyst, particularly but not exclusively for hydrogenolysis under pressure of higher polyhydric alcohols, comprises ruthenium supported on granular activated carbon, and has: a specific surface area of from 600 to 1000 m2/g; a total pore volume of from 0.5 to 1.2 cm3/g; an apparent specific weight (bulk density) of from 0.45 to 0.55 g/cm3; an actual specific weight of from 1.9 to 2.3 g/cm3; a total volume of micropores having a radius smaller than 75 A of from 0.4 to 0.55 cm3/g; and an ash content of from 2 to 5% by weight. The catalyst is used in a method for the continuous production of lower polyhydric alcohols in a fixed bed reactor, by means of hydrogenolysis under pressure of higher polyhydric alcohols.