Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing an alcohol from fats and oils, including: step 1 of reacting starting fats and oils with water to produce a reaction product containing a glycerin unit, and step 2 of subjecting the reaction product obtained in step 1 to a hydrogenation reaction in the presence of a catalyst in the coexistence of water in an amount of 0.5 mole or more relative to 1 mole of the glycerin unit contained in the reaction product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 1,2-glycols by hydrogenation of 1,2-dioxygenated organic compounds in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising a ruthenium compound, a trivalent phosphorus compound selected from 1,1,1-tris(diarylphosphinomethyl)alkyl or substituted alkyl, and a promoter selected from Lewis acids, protic acids having an ionization constant (Ki) of 5×10?3 or greater, and onium salts. The process is useful for the hydrogenation of glycolic acid or derivatives thereof to ethylene glycol.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of an alkylene glycol from an alkylene oxide. Alkylene oxide reacts with carbon dioxide in the presence of a carboxylation catalyst to provide alkylene carbonate; alkylene carbonate reacts with water in the presence of a hydrolysis catalyst to provide alkylene glycol. An initial charge of the carboxylation catalyst and an initial charge of the hydrolysis catalyst are added, the degradation and activity of the hydrolysis catalyst are monitored, and when the activity of the hydrolysis catalyst has fallen below a minimum level, an additional charge of the hydrolysis catalyst is added.

Abstract: Methods of producing xylitol comprising the oxidative decarboxylation of a reactant substrate are provided herein. The oxidative decarboxylation is performed in one of two ways. In the first, the oxidative decarboxylation is performed by an electrochemical process, preferably an anodic odixative decarboxylation of a reactant substrate. In the second, the oxidative decarboxylation of the reactant substrate is carried out by a series of oxidation-reduction chemical reactions.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing an alcohol, including the step of hydrogenating a glyceride in the presence of a catalyst, adding water, or a process for producing an alcohol, including the step of hydrogenating a glyceride in the presence of a catalyst and in the presence of from 0.5 or more of water per mole of the starting glyceride.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 1,2-glycols by hydrogenation of 1,2-dioxygenated organic compounds in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising a ruthenium compound, a trivalent phosphorus compound selected from 1,1,1-tris(diarylphosphinomethyl)alkyl or substituted alkyl, and a promoter selected from Lewis acids, protic acids having an ionization constant (Ki) of 5×10?3 or greater, and onium salts. The process is useful for the hydrogenation of glycolic acid or derivatives thereof to ethylene glycol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing alkyl polycarboxylates from an aqueous solution of an ammonium salt of the polycarboxylic acid by reactive distillation, and to a process for hydrogenating the alkyl carboxylates prepared in this way.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing 1,6-hexanediol by hydrogenating dialkyl adipates, alkyl 6-hydroxycaproates, 1,4-cyclohexanedione and 4-hydroxycyclohexan-1-one as ester mixtures comprising impurities, by a) freeing resulting the esterification mixture of excess alcohol and low boilers in a first distillation stage (alcohol removal), b) carrying out a separation of the bottom product in a second distillation stage into an ester fraction substantially free of 1,4-cyclohexanediols and a fraction comprising at least the majority of the 1,4-cyclohexanediols, c) catalytically hydrogenating the ester fraction substantially free of 1,4-cyclohexanediols (ester hydrogenation) and d) in a purifying distillation stage, obtaining 1,6-hexanediol from the hydrogenation effluent in a manner known per se, which comprises selectively hydrogenating the ester mixture before stage a) and/or before stage b) (purifying hydrogenation).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating off maleic anhydride from a gas stream comprising maleic anhydride, in which a) the gas stream comprising maleic anhydride is brought into contact with a liquid absorbent phase comprising at least one high-boiling inert absorption medium for maleic anhydride and b) maleic anhydride is separated off from the resulting liquid absorbate phase by stripping with a hydrogen-comprising gas as stripping medium in a column, wherein the stripping medium is fed in at two points on the column which are at least one theoretical plate apart.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of an organic compound containing at least one carbonyl group comprises bringing the organic compound in the presence of hydrogen into contact with a shaped body which can be produced by a process in which (i) an oxidic material comprising copper oxide, aluminum oxide and aluminum oxide is made available (ii) pulverulent metallic copper, copper flakes, pulverulent cement, graphite or a mixture thereof is added to the oxidic material, and (iii) the mixture resulting from (ii) is shaped to form a shaped body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel hydroxyl compounds, compositions comprising hydroxyl compounds, and methods useful for treating and preventing a variety of diseases and conditions such as, but not limited to aging, Alzheimer's Disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, a disorder of glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia, dyslipoproteinemia, hypertension, impotence, inflammation, insulin resistance, lipid elimination in bile, obesity, oxysterol elimination in bile, pancreatitis, pancreatitius, Parkinson's disease, a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-associated disorder, phospholipid elimination in bile, renal disease, septicemia, metabolic syndrome disorders (e.g., Syndrome X), thrombotic disorder. Compounds and methods of the invention can also be used to modulate C reactive protein or enhance bile production in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing 1,6-hexanediol from a carboxylic acid mixture which comprises adipic acid, 6-hydroxycaproic acid and small amounts of 1,4-cyclohexanediols and is obtained as a by-product in the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol with oxygen or oxygen-containing gases and by water extraction of the reaction mixture, by esterification of the acids and hydrogenation, in which a) the mono- 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) a separation of the bottom product is carried out in a second distillation stage into an ester fraction substantially free of 1,4-cyclohexanediols and a fraction comprising at least the majority of the 1,4-cyclohexanediols, d) the ester fraction substantially free of 1,4-cyclohexanediols is

Abstract: Methods of forming intermediates from PHAs are disclosed.

Abstract: Formic acid is at least partly removed from an aqueous solution comprising formic acid, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol by decomposition over certain decomposition catalysts. The method is preferably used for processing reaction products from the oxidation of cyclohexane and comprises: (i) extracting a product gas mixture obtained in the oxidation of cyclohexane with an aqueous scrubbing liquid, (ii) separating the aqueous solution obtained in (i) by distillation into an aqueous solution comprising formic acid, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol together with further minor organic components and a carboxylic acid mixture (iii) removing the formic acid at least partially from the aqueous solution obtained in (ii) by decomposition, and (iv) further processing the aqueous solution obtained in (iii) to give epsilon-caprolactam, or using the aqueous solution obtained in (iii) as scrubbing liquid in (i).

Abstract: In a process for preparing alcohols by catalytic hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds over a catalyst comprising rhenium on activated carbon, the catalyst used comprises rhenium (calculated as metal) in a weight ratio to the activated carbon of from 0.0001 to 0.5, platinum (calculated as metal) in a weight ratio to the activated carbon of from 0.0001 to 0.5 and, if appropriate, at least one further metal selected from among Zn, Cu, Ag, Au, Ni, Fe, Ru, Mn, Cr, Mo, W and V in a weight ratio to the activated carbon of from 0 to 0.25, and the activated carbon has been nonoxidatively pretreated. It is also possible to prepare ethers and lactones if the hydrogen pressure is not more than 25 bar. In this case, the activated carbon in the catalyst may also have been nonoxidatively pretreated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing optionally alkyl-substituted 1,4-butanediol by two-stage catalytic hydrogenation in the gas phase of C4-dicarboxylic acids and/or of derivatives thereof having the following steps: a) introducing a gas stream of a C4-dicarboxylic acid or of a derivative thereof at from 200 to 300° C. and from 2 to 60 bar into a first reactor and catalytically hydrogenating it to a product which contains mainly optionally alkyl-substituted ?-butyrolactone; b) converting the product stream into the liquid phase; c) introducing the product stream obtained in this way into a second reactor at a temperature of from 100° C. to 240° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing optionally alkyl-substituted 1,4-butanediol by two-stage catalytic hydrogenation in the gas phase of C4-dicarboxylic acids and/or of derivatives thereof having the following steps: a) introducing a gas stream of a C4-dicarboxylic acid or of a derivative thereof at from 200 to 300° C. and from 10 to 100 bar into a first reactor or into a first reaction zone of a reactor and catalytically hydrogenating it in the gas phase to a product which contains mainly optionally alkyl-substituted ?-butyrolactone; b) introducing the product stream obtained in this way into a second reactor or into a second reaction zone of a reactor at a temperature of from 140° C. to 260° C.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of an organic compound containing at least one carbonyl group comprises bringing the organic compound in the presence of hydrogen into contact with a shaped body which can be produced by a process in which (i) an oxidic material comprising copper oxide, zinc oxide and aluminum oxide is made available, (ii) pulverulent metallic copper or pulverulent cement or a mixture thereof is added to the oxidic material, and (iii) the mixture resulting from (ii) is shaped to form a shaped body.

Abstract: Processes for separating supercritical or near-critical mixtures containing hydrogen, a solvent gas, methanol and a fatty alcohol under an initial pressure of from 100 to 300 bar are described, wherein the processes comprise: (a) reducing the pressure of such a mixture in a first stage to a pressure of from 50 to 150 bar to form a first recycle gas and a first partially-separated intermediate mixture, wherein the reduced pressure in the first stage is at least below the initial pressure; (b) reducing the pressure of the first partially-separated intermediate mixture in a second stage to a pressure of from 10 to 50 bar to form a second recycle gas and a second partially-separated intermediate mixture; and (c) reducing the pressure of the second partially-separated intermediate mixture in a third stage to a pressure of from 1 to 10 bar to form a third recycle gas and a fatty alcohol product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing 1,6-hexanediol having a purity of ?99.5% by weight by catalytically dimerizing acrylic esters and catalytically hydrogenating the hexenedioic diesters obtained in this way to 1,6-hexanediol by a) dimerizing C1- to C8-acrylic esters in the presence of at least one rhodium compound to give mixtures of predominantly 2- and 3-hexenedioic diesters, b) hydrogenating the resulting dimerizing effluent in the presence of chromium-free catalysts comprising predominantly copper as the hydrogenation component and c) purifying the crude 1,6-hexanediol obtained in this way by fractional distillation.

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: A process is described for the production of propane-1,3-diol. The process comprises subjecting a vaporous feed mixture comprising a hydrogen-containing gas and a feedstock selected from 3-hydroxypropanal, ?-propiolactone, oligomers of ?-propiolactone, esters of 3-hydroxypropanoic acid, and mixtures of two or more thereof to hydrogenation conditions in a hydrogenation zone in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, and recovering a reaction product comprising propane-1,3-diol.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process wherein 1,2,4-butanetriol can be obtained safely, easily and inexpensively without causing problems concerning wastewater. A malic diester, 3-hydroxy-?-butyrolactone or 3,4-dihydroxybutanoate represented by the following formulae (I), or a mixture thereof is reduced with sodium borohydride in an organic solvent to give 1,2,4-butanetriol represented by the following formula (II). When an optically active substance is used as the above-mentioned starting compound, substantially no recemization occurs during the reduction, and optically active 1,2,4-butanetriol is obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for a cyclohexanedimethanol by hydrogenation of a cyclohexane-dicarboxylate ester in the presence of a Raney metal catalyst doped with rhenium. The process is useful for the reparation of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol from dialkyl esters of 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate or dialkyl terephthalates. When Raney nickel is used as the catalyst, the process produces CHDM having a high trans content.

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: In a process for preparing alcohols by catalytic hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds over a catalyst comprising rhenium on activated carbon, the catalyst used comprises rhenium (calculated as metal) in a weight ratio to the activated carbon of from 0.0001 to 0.5, platinum (calculated as metal) in a weight ratio to the activated carbon of from 0.0001 to 0.5 and, if appropriate, at least one further metal selected from among Zn, Cu, Ag, Au, Ni, Fe, Ru, Mn, Cr, Mo, W and V in a weight ratio to the activated carbon of from 0 to 0.25, and the activated carbon has been nonoxidatively pretreated It is also possible to prepare ethers and lactones if the hydrogen pressure is not more than 25 bar. In this case, the activated carbon in the catalyst may also have been nonoxidatively pretreated.

Abstract: A method is provided for the preparation of high-purity 1,3-butylene glycol from acetaldehyde. In the method, acetaldehyde is condensed in the presence of base to form a mixture of acetaldols, and the acetaldols are then converted to 1,3-butylene glycol by hydrogenation. Chemical treatment and distillation processes are described which provide 1,3-butylene glycol of very high purity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of xylitol. In particular, processes utilising L-xylose as an intermediate for xylitol production are described. The present invention also relates to process for the preparation or L-xylose, as an intermediate, by-product or end-product to be used per se.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation, using molecular hydrogen (H2) of a catalytic system, wherein the catalytic system includes a base and a complex of formula (II): Ru(P2N2)Y2??(II) wherein Y represent simultaneously or independently a hydrogen or halogen atom, a hydroxy group, or an alkoxy, carboxyl or other anionic radical, and P2N2 is a tetradentate diimino-diphosphine ligand.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the purification of alcohols, particularly for the purification of isopropyl alcohol. A invention provides a process for reducing the amount of ultraviolet light absorbing ketone impurities and/or aldehyde impurities in a fluid mixture containing an alcohol in addition to ketone impurities and/or aldehyde impurities, which comprises reacting a fluid mixture containing an alcohol in addition to ketone impurities and/or aldehyde impurities, with a sufficient amount of a reducing agent, under conditions wherein the reducing agent is preferentially more reactive with the ketone impurities and/or aldehyde impurities than the alcohol to thereby form a reaction product; and then recovering a recovered alcohol product from the reaction product.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of alcohols by catalytic hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds, the catalyst used is 0.01 to 50% by weight of rhenium and 0 to 20% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the catalyst, of at least one further metal chosen from Zn, Cu, Ag, Au, Ni, Fe, Cr, V on oxidatively pretreated activated carbon as support.

Abstract: A process for preparing 1,6-hexanediol from a carboxylic acid mixture comprising adipic acid, 6-hydroxycaproic acid and small amounts of 1,4-cyclohexanediols which is obtained as by-product in the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol after water extraction of the reaction mixture followed by extraction with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, by esterification of the acids and hydrogenation comprises a) liberating the carboxylic acids from the alkaline extract by addition of a mineral acid, b) fractionating the organic phase comprising carboxylic acids to give a distillate comprising the low molecular weight monocarboxylic acids and a residue comprising adipic acid and 6-hydroxycaproic acid, c) reacting the monocarboxylic an dicarboxylic acids present in the aqueous dicarboxylic acid mixture with a low molecular weight alcohol to give the corresponding carboxylic esters, d) freeing the esterification mixture obtained of excess alcohol and low boilers in a first distillation step, e) frac

Abstract: Branched, substantially unsaturated fatty alcohol sulfates are produced by a process which comprises the steps of: (a) dimerizing unsaturated C16-22 fatty acid to form a dimer fraction and a monomer fraction comprised of branched, substantially unsaturated fatty acids and straight chain saturated fatty acids, (b) removing the monomer fraction from the dimerization step, (c) converting the branched, substantially unsaturated fatty acids from step (b) into the corresponding fatty acid methyl esters, (d) hydrogenating the branched, substantially unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters with the double bonds intact to form the corresponding branched, substantially unsaturated fatty alcohols and (e) sulfating and neutralizing the branched, substantially unsaturated fatty alcohols. The fatty alcohol sulfates thus produced exhibit improved performance properties and greater oxidative stability than standard unsaturated fatty alcohol sulfates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an alkanediol derivative represented by the general formula (II) from an ester compound represented by the general formula (I), safely without giving rise to racemization. The present invention lies in a process for producing an alcohol derivative represented by the following general formula (II): (wherein R2 and R3 are each independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; X is a hydrogen atom or a protecting group for hydroxyl group; and n is 0 or 1), which process comprises reducing an ester compound represented by the following general formula (I): (wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R2, R3, X and n have the same definitions as given above) with sodium borohydride in a mixed solvent of at least one kind of solvent selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons and alicyclic hydrocarbons and a primary alcohol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a diol mixture comprising 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol and 1,6-hexanediol, which comprises: (A) providing a dicarboxylic acid mixture comprising succinic acid, glutaric acid and adipic acid and having a nitric acid content of 3% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the succinic, glutaric and adipic acids, wherein the dicarboxylic acid mixture is prepared by denitrating an aqueous by-product solution obtained in an adipic acid production process, and (B) subjecting the dicarboxylic acid mixture to hydrogenation in the presence of water, hydrogen gas and a hydrogenation catalyst containing an active metal species comprising ruthenium and tin, to thereby obtain a hydrogenation reaction mixture comprising a diol mixture comprising 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol and 1,6-hexanediol.

Abstract: There are disclosed are a method for producing at least one compound selected from a carbonyl compound and a hydroxy adduct compound by an oxidative cleavage or addition reaction of an olefinic double bond of an olefin compound, which contains reacting an olefin compound with hydrogen peroxide, utilizing as a catalyst, at least one member selected from (a) tungsten, (b) molybdenum, or (c) a tungsten or molybdenum metal compound containing (ia) tungsten or (ib) molybdenum and (ii) an element of Group IIIb, IVb, Vb or VIb excluding oxygen, and a catalyst composition.

Abstract: Naturally occurring fats, oils and fatty derivatives are continuously hydrogenated to fatty alcohols in a fixed-bed reactor in the presence of hydrogen in excess and hydrogenation catalysts under static pressures of 50 to 300 bar and at temperatures of 160 to 320° C. The liquid product is cooled and the excess hydrogen is returned to the reactor entrance by a gas circulation pump as a recycle gas after separation of the liquid product. The expense involved in cooling and reheating the recycle gas is eliminated without any reduction in the quality of the fatty alcohol produced providing the recycle gas is returned to the reactor entrance without reheating and the hydrogenation reaction is carried out under static pressures of at least 200 bar.

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: An improved catalyst of platinum, rhenium and tin with an inert support used for hydrogenation of an hydrogenatable precursor in an aqueous solution and a method for using the catalyst in the production of tetrahydrofuran and 1,4-butanediol from such a hydrogenatable precursor in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A process is described for the co-production of maleic anhydride and at least one C4 compound selected from butane-1,4-diol, &ggr;-butyrolactone, and tetrahydrofuran in which maleic anhydride is produced by partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon feedstock selected from C4 hydrocarbons and benzene to yield a vaporous reaction effluent stream comprising maleic anhydride, water, unconverted hydrocarbon feedstock, and carbon oxides. A part of the maleic anhydride present in the vaporous reaction effluent stream is condensed to form a crude maleic anhydride stream and leave a residual vaporous stream containing residual amounts of maleic anhydride. Further maleic anhydride is absorbed from the residual vaporous stream by absorption in an organic solvent, water or an aqueous solution. Maleic anhydride is then recovered from the loaded liquid absorptions medium.

Abstract: A process for preparing an 1,3-alkanediol from a 3-hydroxyester includes hydrogenating a 3-hydroxyester in an alcohol-containing solvent in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst prepared by adding an alkaline precipitator to an aqueous solution containing a copper salt to form particles, and then aging the particles following addition of colloidal silica thereto. Novel hydrogenation catalysts so prepared are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 1,3-alkandiol from a 3-hydroxyester, comprises preparing a catalyst by adding an alkaline precipitator to an aqueous copper salt solution to form copper hydroxide particles, and aging the particles following the addition of a colloidal silica thereto; activating the catalyst by reduction with a H2 gas or a H2-containing gas and applying a pressure of about 5 psig to about 2000 psig at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 250° C. in the presence of an activation solvent; and hydrogenating a 3-hydroxyester in a liquid phase slurry with a H2 gas or a H2-containing gas and applying a pressure of about 50 psig to about 3000 psig at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 250° C. in the presence of the activated catalyst and a reaction solvent, whereby a 1,3-alkanediol can be selectively prepared from a 3-hydroxyester with a high yield.

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 relates to the production of xylitol. In particular, processes utilising L-xylose as an intermediate for xylitol production are described. The present invention also relates to process for the preparation or L-xylose, as an intermediate, by-product or end-product to be used per se.

Abstract: A process for the production of tetrahydrofuran, gamma butyrolactone, 1,4-butane diol and the like from a hydrogenatable precursor such as maleic acid, succinic acid, corresponding esters and their mixtures and the like in the presence of hydrogen and a noble metal catalyst, wherein oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide, oxygen or air are used to regenerate spent noble metal catalyst for further use in the process.

Abstract: A method for reducing a malonate having the formula R1R2C(CO2R3)(CO2R4) to a diol having the formula R1R2C(CH2OH)2 comprising treating said malonate with sodium aluminum hydride.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process wherein 1, 2,4-butanetriol can be obtained safely, easily and inexpensively without causing problems concerning wastewater. A malic diester, 3-hydroxy-&ggr;-butyrolactone or 3,4-dihydroxybutanoate represented by the following formulae (I), or a mixture thereof is reduced with sodium borohydride in an organic solvent to give 1,2,4-butanetriol represented by the following formula (II). When an optically active substance is used as the above-mentioned starting compound, substantially no recemization occurs during the reduction, and optically active 1,2,4-butanetriol is obtained.

Abstract: A process for preparing an 1,3-alkanediol through carbonylation of an epoxide derivative includes the steps of (a) reacting an epoxide derivative with alcohol and carbon monoxide in a solvent at a temperature from about 30 to about 150° C. and at a pressure from about 50 to about 3000 psig in the presence of a catalyst system including an effective amount of a cobalt catalyst and an effective amount of a promoter to afford a reaction mixture including a 3-hydroxyester or derivative thereof in an amount of from 2 to about 95% by weight, (b) separating the reaction product and solvent from the catalyst and promoter, (c) reacting said reaction product and solvent with hydrogen at a temperature from about 30 to about 350° C. and at a pressure from about 50 to about 5000 psig in the presence of a catalyst system for hydrogenation to prepare a hydrogenation product mixture including a 1,3-alkanediol, and (d) recovering the 1,3-alkanediol from the hydrogenation product mixture.

Abstract: A process for preparing perfluoropolyoxyalkylenes with hydroxyl end groups having structure: T1—CFW1—O—Rf—CFW2—T2  (I) wherein: T1, T2, are selected from —CH2OH, —F, —CF3, —CF2CF3 with the proviso that at least one of T1 and T2 is —CH2OH; W1 and W2 are selected from F, CF3; Rf is a perfluoropolyoxyalkylene chain having a number average molecular weight 500-10,000 comprising one or more units of the type —CF2CF2O—, —CF2O—, —C3F6O—, —CF2(CF2)zCF2O— (z=1,2); —CR4R5CF2CF2O— with R4 and R5 selected from H, Cl, perfluoroalkyl group; said process comprising the following steps: a) adding an ester precursor having structure (I) and T1, T2 end groups selected from —F, —CF3, —CF2CF3, —COOR (R=linear or branched alkyl group having a number of C atoms from 1 to 5), with the proviso that at least one of T1 and T2 is —COOR, in a reaction mixture f

Abstract: A process is described for the co-production of maleic anhydride and at least one C4 compound selected from butane-1,4-diol, ?-butyrolactone, and tetrahydrofuran in which maleic anhydride is produced by partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon feedstock selected from C4 hydrocarbons and benzene to yield a vaporous reaction effluent stream comprising maleic anhydride, water, unconverted hydrocarbon feedstock, and carbon oxides. A part of the maleic anhydride present in the vaporous reaction effluent stream is condensed to form a crude maleic anhydride stream and leave a residual vaporous stream containing residual amounts of maleic anhydride. Further maleic anhydride is absorbed from the residual vaporous stream by absorption in an organic solvent, water or an aqueous solution. Maleic anhydride is then recovered from the loaded liquid absorptions medium.