Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of 1,6-difunctionalized hexane derivatives from 1,3-diunsaturated hydrocarbons, preferably butadiene, wherein a hydroformylation with carbon monoxide and hydrogen is performed in the presence of an at least dihydric alkanol and during the hydroformylation the temperature is increased. The reaction yields the acetals of the 1,6-hexanedial derivatives which are isolated and further reacted to obtain the desired 1,6-difunctionalized hexane derivatives, in particular 1,6-hexanediamine, 1,6-hexanediol and adipic acid.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a method for efficiently producing high-purity 1,5-pentanediol by reacting tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol with hydrogen. This manufacturing method for producing high-purity 1,5-pentanediol comprises: step (I): a step of obtaining a crude reaction product by a hydrogenolysis reaction of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol with hydrogen carried out in the presence of a copper-containing catalyst with reaction temperature of 200 to 350° C. and reaction pressure of 1 to 40 MPa until conversion rate of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol reaches 80% or less; step (II): a step of separating tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and crude 1,5-pentanediol (A) from the crude reaction product obtained in the step (I), and then, supplying recovered tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol as a raw material for the step (I); and step (III): a step of obtaining the high-purity 1,5-pentanediol by distillation of the crude 1,5-pentanediol (A) obtained in the step (II).

Abstract: An integrated process for preparing alkylene oxides and alkylene glycols is described. For this purpose, an alkylene oxide plant and an alkylene glycol plant are combined with one another and the water originating from the alkylene oxide plant and also other constituents of the reaction mixture are introduced into the alkylene glycol plant. In this way, alkylene glycols which have been produced in the alkylene oxide plant can be recovered as materials of value and the water circulation into the alkylene glycol plant can be eliminated or drastically reduced. In addition, the energy-intensive treatment of the process water from the alkylene oxide plant can be dispensed with. The integration of the two processes leads overall to better energy efficiency and conservation of resources in the work-up of residues from the process.

Abstract: A polymer includes a linker represented by Formula I ([OR1OCH2OR2OCH2]m), where R1 and R2 are, independently, alkylene, alkenylene, arylene, heteroarylene, or alkylarylalkylene; and the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of about 500 g/mol to about 2,000,000 g/mol, and m is 1 to 1000.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing ethylene and/or propylene, comprising the steps of providing a hydrocarbon stream, comprising C4+ normal olefins and C4+ iso-olefins; converting C4+ isoolefins to tert-alkyl ether and separating the ethers from the hydrocarbon stream; isomersing the C4+ normal olefins to iso-olefins and converting C4+ isoolefins to tert-alkyl ether and separating the ethers from the hydrocarbon stream; converting the obtained tert-alkyl ether to ethylene and propylene by contacting the tert-alkyl ether with a molecular sieve-comprising catalyst and retrieving an olefinic product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing ethylene and/or propylene, comprising the steps of: a) providing an oxygenate-comprising feedstock; b) contacting the oxygenate-comprising feedstock with a molecular sieve-comprising catalyst at a temperature in the range of from 450 to 700° C. and converting at least part of the oxygenate into an olefinic product comprising ethylene and/or propylene; and c) retrieving the olefinic product, wherein the oxygenate-comprising feedstock comprises in the range of from 1 to 97 wt % of at least one tert-alkyl ether selected from the group MTBE, ETBE, TAME and TAEE, based on the weight of the oxygenates in the oxygenate-comprising feedstock, and further comprises methanol and/or DME.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a system for hydrating an alkylene oxide that includes a high shear device configured to form a dispersion of an alkylene oxide and water, the high shear device comprising a rotor, a stator, and a catalytic surface, wherein the dispersion comprises gas bubbles with an average gas bubble diameter of less than about 5 ?m; a pump configured for delivering a liquid stream to the high shear device; and a reactor coupled to the high shear device, and configured to receive the dispersion from the high shear device, wherein the alkylene oxide is hydrated in the reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing polyether alcohols, which comprises the steps a) reaction of an unsaturated natural oil or fat with a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, b) reaction of the mixture from step a) with hydrogen, c) reaction of the product from step b) with an alkylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing alkylene glycols are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of alkylene oxides with water. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing alkylene glycols are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of alkylene oxides with water. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time.

Abstract: A method including: (a) selectively reacting a first sugar in a mixture which includes at least one second sugar to form a product mixture comprising a product of said first sugar; (b) separating said product of said first sugar from said product mixture; and (c) separating at least one of said at least one second sugar from said product mixture.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing alkylene glycols are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of alkylene oxides with water. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time.

Abstract: A process for converting cellulose to glucose, said process comprising the steps of: providing a hydrated molten salt; contacting the hydrated molten salt with a cellulose-containing material to form dissolved glucose; removing the dissolved glucose from the hydrated molten salt.

Abstract: The present invention reacts an allyl alcohol with an alcohol compound in the presence of a catalyst containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements of the group III, lanthanoid elements and actinoid elements of the Periodic Table, as depicted in the following reaction and provides a method for efficiently producing 3-alkoxy-1-propanol in a single step using an alcohol as a starting material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crude glycerol-based product comprising glycerol alkyl ethers, to a purification process comprising a treatment of evaporative concentration, of evaporative crystallization, of distillation, of fractional distillation, of stripping, or of liquid-liquid extraction and to the use of the purified product in the manufacture of dichloropropanol.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol by hydrogenating 2-hydroxy-4-methyltetrahydropyran in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, characterized in that the hydrogenation is further carried out in the presence of a basic compound. By this method, in producing MPD by hydrogenation of MHP, high-purity MPD can be produced by effectively suppressing generation of by-products such as MPAE and MVL even when a known hydrogenation catalyst is used.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing alkylene glycols are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of alkylene oxides with water. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time.

Abstract: The invention provides for the utilization of microchannel apparatus in a process for the preparation of an alkylene glycol by the reaction of a corresponding alkylene oxide and water.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of an alcohol, the process comprising (a) reacting an olefin and water in the presence of a catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a crude alcohol stream comprising alcohol, and a dialkyl ether; (b) separating at least a portion of the crude alcohol stream into an alcohol-containing stream and a dialkyl ether stream; (c) contacting at least a portion of the dialkyl ether stream with an ether decomposition catalyst, the ether decomposition catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide having the following composition XmYnZpOq where X is at least one metal selected from Group 4 of the Periodic Table of Elements, Y is at least one metal selected from Group 3 (including the Lanthanides and Actinides) and Group 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements and Z is at least one metal selected from Groups 7, 8, and 11 of the Periodic Table of Elements; m, n, p, and q are the atomic ratios of their respective components and, when m is 1, n is from about 0.01 to about 0.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of alkanediol comprising the steps: (i) contacting alkylene oxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a carbonation catalyst to obtain a reaction mixture containing alkylene carbonate at a reaction temperature of from 100 to 200° C.

Abstract: A polyglycerol composition contains diglycerol, triglycerol, and tetraglycerol each in a content of 5 percent by weight or more, has a total content of diglycerol, triglycerol, and tetraglycerol of 75 percent by weight or more, has a total content of higher polyglycerol components of 10 percent by weight or less, the higher polyglycerol components each having a degree of polymerization of 7 or higher, and is substantially free from chlorine atom. A process prepares a polyglycerol composition by reacting glycerol and/or a polyglycerol with glycidol in the presence of an activated carbon catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing polyalkylene glycols by reacting a mixture of a mono- or polyhydric alcohol and a polyalkylene glycol prepolymer with a C2- to C4-alkylene oxide or a mixture of such alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst which comprises Zn3[Co(CN)6]2, the mono- or polyhydric alcohol having a molecular weight of up to 500 g/mol and containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and from 1 to 10 hydroxyl groups, and the polyalkylene glycol prepolymer being the addition product of a C2- to C4-alkylene oxide or of a mixture of such alkylene oxides in an amount of at least 500 g/mol to a mono- or polyhydric alcohol having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and from 1 to 10 hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: A process for producing a both end-hydroxyl group-terminated diol, wherein an epoxy alcohol represented by the general formula (1) is subjected to a hydrogenolysis reaction in the presence of a catalyst for producing both end-hydroxyl group terminated diols, which catalyst contains at least one element selected from the group consisting of Group V elements, Group VI elements, Group VII elements, Group VIII elements, Group IX elements, Group X elements, and Group XI elements in the periodic table, in the presence of at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of ethers, esters, aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, alicyclic hydrocarbon compounds and aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds, to thereby obtain a both end-hydroxyl group-terminated diol represented by general formula (2). General formula (1) and (2) are as described in the specification.

Abstract: A process is described for purifying polyalkylene glycols obtained by adding alkylene oxide to alkylene glycol, in which, after addition is complete, the resultant polyalkylene glycol is treated at a pH of >7 with a bleaching agent selected from the group consisting of peroxides, peracids, percarbonates, perborates, peroxodisulfates or oxygen, in each case with or without addition of a bleaching activator. The process is suitable in particular for preparing polyethylene glycol having molar weights from 196 to 203 g/mol which meets requirements of pharmacopeias.

Abstract: Process for the continuous preparation of propylene glycols, which comprises the steps (i) to (ii): (i) reacting propylene with hydrogen peroxide to form propylene oxide and give propylene glycols as by-products, (ii) reacting the propylene oxide obtained in step (i) with water to give propylene glycols, (iii) separating off the propylene glycols obtained in steps (i) and (ii).

Abstract: A process for producing 1,3-propanediol comprising the steps of: a) forming an aqueous solution of 3-hydroxypropanal, b) hydrogenating the 3-hydroxypropanal to form a first crude 1,3-propanediol mixture comprising 1,3-propanediol, water, and MW 132 cyclic acetal, c) distilling the first crude 1,3-propanediol mixture to remove water and low boiling impurities and form a second crude 1,3-propanediol mixture, d) contacting the second crude 1,3-propanediol mixture with a solid acid purifier at a temperature of from about 50 to about 250° C. to convert the MW 132 cyclic acetal to more volatile cyclic acetals, and e) separating the more volatile cyclic acetals from the 1,3-propanediol by distillation or gas stripping.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 1,2-propanediol from propylene oxide, which process involves contacting propylene oxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a homogeneous phosphorus containing catalyst to obtain propylene carbonate, optionally removing at least part of the carbon dioxide, adding water and/or an alcohol to the reaction product containing propylene carbonate and phosphorus containing catalyst and contacting the mixture with a heterogeneous catalyst to obtain 1,2-propanediol in combination with dialkylcarbonate and/or carbon dioxide, and separating 1,2-propanediol from the reaction product obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for stereoselective or regioselective chemical synthesis which generally comprises reacting a nucleophile and a chiral or prochiral cyclic substrate in the presence of a non-racemic, chiral catalyst to produce a stereoisomerically- and/or regioisomerically-enriched product. The present invention also relates to hydrolytic kinetic resolutions of racemic and diastereomeric mixtures of epoxides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new catalyst composition comprising a bimetallic Co—Fe catalyst, optionally complexed with a ligand selected from a N-heterocycle, phosphine, or porphorine ligand, that provides a lower cost alternative for the one step synthesis of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) from ethylene oxide and synthesis gas. For example, a catalyst containing cobalt carbonyl: iron carbonyl with no ligand, or a catalyst containing a cobalt carbonyl: octaethylporphine iron acetate provide moderate yields of 1,3-PDO in a one step synthesis under mild conditions.

Abstract: A process for production of 1,3-propanediol including the steps: (a) hydrating acrolein in the presence of an acid hydration catalyst; (b) catalytically hydrogenating the reaction mixture of step (a), which reaction mixture comprises 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde and is freed of unreacted acrolein; (c) refining the reaction mixture of step (b) containing water, 1,3-propanediol and the by-products boiling higher than 1,3-propanediol; and, (d) treating 4-oxa-1,7-heptanediol to form 1,3-propanediol by (1) removing a boiler sump comprising 4-oxa-1,7-heptanediol from the refining step (c), (2) treating the boiler sump in an aqueous solution in the presence of an acid catalyst at about 200 to about 300° C. to form a solution comprising 1,3-propanediol, (3) neutralizing the solution obtained is step (2), and returning the neutralized solution from step (3) to the refining step (c).

Abstract: A process for the heterogeneous and enantioselective hydrogenation of prochiral organic &agr;-keto compounds with platinum as the catalyst in the presence of a soluble or immobilized chiral aromatic nitrogen base with at least one basic nitrogen atom adjacent to stereogenic carbon atoms, whereby prochiral &agr;-ketoacetals are hydrogenated to optically active &agr;-hydroxyacetals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new catalyst composition comprising a bimetallic Co—Ru catalyst complexed with a N-heterocylcic ligand that is effective, economical, and provides improvements in oxidative stability in the one step synthesis of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) from ethylene oxide and synthesis gas. For example, cobalt-ruthenium-2,2′-bipyrimidine, 2,2′-dipyridyl, or 2,4,6-tripridyl-s-triazine catalyst precursors in cyclic ether solvents, such as 1,3-dioxolane, 1,4-dioxolane, 1,4-dioxane, and 2-ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, provide good yields of 1,3-PDO in a one step synthesis.

Abstract: Polyetherols based on solid initiator substances and liquid, hydroxyl-containing coinitiators are prepared by a catalyzed addition reaction of alkylene oxides by a process in which the initiator combination contains diols carrying ethoxy structures, the ratio of the average number of hydroxyl groups per mole of initiator combination to the number of ethoxy structures in the polyetherol being from 1:0.2 to 1:1.8 and the ratio of the amounts by weight of the diols carrying ethoxy structures to the average molecular weight of the polyetherol being from 1:2 to 1:15. The polyetherols prepared by this process are used for the preparation of PUR, in particular, rigid PUR foams.

Abstract: A method for the production of monoethylene glycol of high purity is disclosed which comprises subjecting ethylene to catalytic vapor phase oxidation with a molecular oxygen-containing gas thereby obtaining an ethylene oxide-containing gas, exposing the ethylene oxide-containing gas to an absorbing solution and stripping the resultant ethylene oxide-containing solution in a stripper, condensing the vapor emanating from the top of the stripper thereby obtaining crude ethylene oxide, subjecting at least part of the crude ethylene oxide to a hydration reaction, adding an alkaline substance to the hydration reaction solution in an amount of not less than 0.5 atomic equivalent weight relative to the chlorine atom contained in the hydration reaction solution or dehydrating the hydration reaction solution and introducing the side cut technique to the monoethylene glycol rectification column, and acquiring the monoethylene glycol from the side cut part.

Abstract: are prepared by single-stage reaction of alkoxydihydropyrans of the formula (II) with water and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising oxides of nickel, zirconium and copper. In the formulae (I) and (II), R, R′, R″, R′″ can be identical or different and are each hydrogen or a linear or branched saturated hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms in which the hydrocarbon chain may contain O, S and N as heteroatoms and which may be monosubstituted or polysubstituted by hydroxy, thiol or amino groups or halogens.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the preparation of a polymerisable monomer of formula (I) comprising contacting a compound of formula (II) with an acid such as an imobilised acid.

Abstract: A heterobifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) is provided having a hydrolytically degradable linkage, a first terminus comprising an acrylate group, and a second terminus comprising a target such as a protein or pharmaceutical agent or a reactive moiety capable of coupling to a target. Hydrogels can be prepared. The hydrogels can be used as a carrier for a protein or a pharmaceutical agent that can be readily released in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ether-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactant is provided.

Abstract: A heterobifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) is provided having a hydrolytically degradable linkage, a first terminus comprising an acrylate group, and a second terminus comprising a target such as a protein or pharmaceutical agent or a reactive moiety capable of coupling to a target. Hydrogels can be prepared. The hydrogels can be used as a carrier for a protein or a pharmaceutical agent that can be readily released in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: Method for obtaining components of a packet of additives for engine fuels by oxyalkylenation of organic compounds containing hydroxyl groups by means of alkylene oxide at the presence of basic catalysts, at the temperature 80-170° C., characteristic in that the mixture containing 94.5-99.9% by mass of alkyl phenols of the general formula according to FIG. 1, where R1-alkyl group of the carbon atoms number from 6 to 16 and not more than 0.1% by mass of water (H2O) and not more than 5.0% by mass (preferably from 0.1 to 1.0 by mass) of monohydroxyl alcohols of the general formula R2—OH, where R2-alkyl group of the carbon atoms number from 1 to 4, is oxyalkylenated with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide up to the moment of obtaining the molecular mass of oxyalkylenated alcohol not lower than 100 daltons and the hydroxyl number not higher than 150 mg of KOH/g, and next the product of synthesis is contacted at the temperature not higher than 150° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing and isolating glycols and to a thin-film evaporator which is used in carrying out the process.

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: 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: The present invention provides a method for preparing allylic alcohols by the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of vinylic epoxides and aryl halides, vinylic halides or vinylic triflates.

Abstract: 1,3-propanediol (PD) is obtained by hydration of acrolein to 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (HPA) with subsequent catalytic hydrogenation; 3,3'-oxybis-1-propanol (OD) occurs as a yield-reducing by-product. Disclosed is a process which increases the 1,3-propanediol yield. The OD which is separated by distillation during treatment of the reaction mixture containing PD and OD is treated in aqueous solution at from 100 to 300.degree. C. with an acid solid catalyst, in particular an acid zeolite, and the reaction mixture from which the solid catalyst has been removed is returned into the treatment stage of the reaction mixture containing PD and OD.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of adducts by reacting an alcohol with an epoxy compound in the presence of a catalyst, which comprises reacting an alcohol of formula I ##STR1## wherein A is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or araliphatic radical and r is a number from 1 to 10, with a mono- or diepoxide in the equivalent ratio of 1:20 to 20:1, based on the hydroxyl and epoxy groups, in the presence of a metal complex of formula II as catalyst[M.sup.n+ (L.sub.1).sub.x (L.sub.2).sub.y (L.sub.3.sup.m-).sub.z ][X.sup.k- ].sub.(n-zm)/k (II),whereinM is a metal of the main groups or subgroups of the Periodic Table of the Elements,L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 are weakly bonded, neutral, unidentale or multidentate ligands,L.sub.3 is a strongly bonded, non-replaceable neutral or anionic unidentale or multidentate ligand,X is an anion of the following formulae BF.sub.4.sup.-, PF.sub.6.sup.-, AsF.sub.6.sup.-, SbF.sub.6.sup.-, ClO.sub.4.sup.-, IO.sub.4.sup.-, NO.sub.3.sup.

Abstract: Process for preparing one or more hetero-atoms containing hydrocarbons by contacting one or more hydrocarbons with a plasma-generated system derived from a source containing hydrogen atoms(s) and at least one hetero-atom in which process the plasma-generated system in contacted with the hydrocarbon(s) in liquid for and/or in gaseous form under conditions which allow absorption of heat released during the process of preparing said hetero-atom(s) containing hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Alkyl tert.-alkyl ethers can be cleaved into the underlying alkanols and tert.-olefins in the presence of strongly acidic substances in a column apparatus, the strongly acidic substance being made available at the foot of the column. A particularly advantageous process design results when a water stream is fed below the top column tray in countercurrent to the tert.-olefin flowing upwards and is taken off again from the column above the bottom circulation; in the case of using an insoluble, strongly acidic substance, the latter is located in a catalyst bed at the foot of the column, and the alkyl tert.-alkyl ether is preferably fed in between the catalyst bed and the bottom circulation evaporator.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of partially fluorinated alcohols starting from halogen-containing alkenes, and 2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluorocyclopentanol as a new partially fluorinated alcohol.

Abstract: A two-step reaction process for converting ethylene oxide with high selectivity into monoethylene glycol which comprises firstly reacting ethylene oxide with acetone in the presence of a solid acid catalyst to form 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane and secondly hydrolyzing the 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane with water in the presence of a solid acid catalyst to form monoethylene glycol.