Abstract: A process for manufacturing 1,3-glycols is disclosed. The process comprises reacting an epoxide with synthesis gas in the presence of rhodium in the presence of an alkali metal compound.

Abstract: A process of preparing chiral alcohols by the asymmetric catalytic hydrogenolysis of epoxides using rhodium or ruthenium catalysts containing chiral phosphine ligands.

Abstract: Process for preparing 2-alkyl-1,4-butanediols and mixtures with 1,4-butanediol which comprises bringing together, at an initial alkaline pH, and at a temperature and pressure suitable for reaction, 2,3-dihydrofuran, hydrogen, an unsubstituted aliphatic aldehyde, especially formaldehyde, and a hydrogenation catalyst. Also processes for preparing mixtures of tetrahydrofuran and 3-alkyltetrahydrofuran from the diol mixtures, and copolymers from the tetrahydrofuran mixtures.

Abstract: A method for the continuous saponification of epoxides with 3-8 carbon atoms at low pressures, preferably atmospheric pressure, and low boiling temperatures with small amounts of water. Yields and selectivities are very high.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of hydroformylating 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol and analogs thereof with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a rhodium compound free from modification by a ligand containing an element belonging to the group V of the periodic table as well as a method of producing 3-methylpentane-1,5-diol and .beta.-methyl-.delta.-valerolactone using such hydroformylation product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for selectively cleaving a polyalkylene glycol, e.g., diethylene glycol, containing at least one ether group therein at a carbon-to-oxygen covalent bond and independently at a carbon-to-carbon covalent bond by heating the polyalkylene glycol with molecular hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst containing ruthenium to produce at least one of monoethylene glycol monomethyl ether, monoethylene glycol and ethanol. The production rate of each of said monoethylene glycol monomethyl ether, monoethylene glycol and ethanol is at least about 10 moles/kilogram ruthenium/hour.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for selectively cleaving a polyalkylene glycol, e.g., diethylene glycol, containing at least one ether group therein at a carbon-to-oxygen covalent bond and independently at a carbon-to-carbon covalent bond by heating the polyalkylene glycol with molecular hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst containing iridium to produce at least one of monoethylene glycol monoethyl ether, monoethylene glycol monomethyl ether, monoethylene glycol and ethanol. Monoethylene glycol monoethyl ether can be produced in significant amounts by employing the process of this invention.

Abstract: A method for preparing important stereospecific intermediates in the synthesis of prostaglandin analogs is disclosed. Said intermediates are (+)R-2-methyl-hexane-1,2-diol and (-)S-2-methyl-hexane-1,2-diol and are prepared via an asymmetric halolactonization reaction utilizing L-proline and D-proline, respectively as the chiral agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of ethylene glycol and more particularly to a low pressure process for making ethylene glycol comprising reacting synthesis gas, i.e. a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, plus 1,3-dioxolane in the presence of a homogenous liquid catalyst containing an effective amount of cobalt-containing compound, a silane or germane-containing promoter dispersed in a dioxolane solvent at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. and a pressure of at least 500 psi.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of ethylene glycol and more particularly to a low pressure process for making ethylene glycol comprising reacting synthesis gas, i.e. a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, plus 1,3-dioxolane in the presence of a homogenous liquid catalyst containing an effective amount of cobalt-containing compound and a silane or germane-containing promoter dispersed in a hydrocarbon solvent at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. and a pressure of at least 500 psi, where the particular solvents used allow the desired product to be separated from the reaction mixture by phase separation.

Abstract: Ethylene glycol is produced by reacting at elevated temperature methanol, a polymeric source of formaldehyde and an organic peroxide having the formula R--O--O--R.sup.1 wherein R and R.sup.1 are independently either alkyl or aralkyl groups containing from 3 to 12 carbon atoms. The polymeric source of formaldehyde is preferably paraformaldehyde.

Abstract: Transetherification is carried out in a catalytic distillation reactor, wherein the catalytic structure also serves as a distillation structure, by feeding a first ether to the catalyst bed to at least partially dissociate it into a first olefin and a first alcohol while concurrently therewith feeding either a second olefin (preferably a tertiary olefin) having a higher boiling point than said first olefin or a second alcohol having a higher boiling point than said first alcohol to the catalyst whereby either the second olefin and the first alcohol or the first olefin and the second alcohol react to form a second ether which has a higher boiling point than the first ether, which second ether is concurrently removed as a bottoms in the concurrent reaction-distillation to force that reaction to completion, while the unreacted first olefin or first alcohol is removed in the overhead.

Abstract: Butane-1,4-diol is produced by converting allyl alcohol to an allyl t-alkyl or -cycloalkyl ether of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each, independently of the other, represent a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radical, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each, independently of the other, represent a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl radical, or wherein R.sub.1 represents a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a 5-membered or 6-membered cycloaliphatic ring, and R.sub.4 represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.

Abstract: A coproduct continuous dealkylation process is described in which 4-t-butoxy-n-butanol is contacted with acidic silica-alumina catalyst at temperatures in the 160.degree.-200.degree. C. range (reactor wall temperature) in the liquid hourly space velocity regime of 2:0 to 6:0 liter/liter catalyst/hr. to produce in a single reactor a mixture in which the ultimate product of conversion of the 4-t-butoxy-n-butanol is 1,4-butanediol (1,4-diol) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) present in a preselected ratio (mole %) of 1,4-diol to THF ranging from 7:3 to 3:7. The 1,4-diol produced is useful in the preparation of polyesters, e.g. polybutylene terephthalates, and THF is a useful intermediate in the manufacture of certain chemicals and plastics.

Abstract: A process is described for converting glycol dialkyl ether without substantial formation of olefin oligomers by reaction with water, comprising reacting a feed glycol di-tertiary alkyl ether represented by structural formula (A) with water using a strongly acidic cation-exchange resin as a catalyst and a reaction temperature of from 40.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. under a pressure of from 1 to 70 kg/cm.sup.2 (absolute pressure) in a molar ratio of water/feed glycol di-tertiary alkyl ether represented by the structural formula (A) of from 0.

Abstract: The S-enantiomer of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol is prepared by reaction of a chlorodeoxy-D-saccharide having the partial structure. ##STR1## to cleave the glycol, reduce the aldehyde so formed to an alcohol, and hydrolyse the alcohol under mild acidic conditions.

Abstract: A de-alkylation process which comprises contacting a t-alkylether-alkanol, e.g. 4-t-butylether-n-butan-1-ol, with an acidic solid mixed oxide, e.g. silica-alumina, catalyst which results in the formation of alkanediols, e.g. 1,4-butanediol, in the substantial absence of undesirable side reactions, e.g. the formation of tetrahydrofuran. The resulting alkanediols are useful in the preparation of polyesters, e.g. polybutylene terephthalates.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (MPD) by recycling mixed diols from the process for the preparation of 1,4-butanediol from acrolein and aliphatic diols until the final product is essentially 1,4-butanediol and MPD.