Abstract: Aldehydes, ketones, esters and lactones may be reduced using a reductant system consisting of a silane derivative and a metal hydride to give good yields of the corresponding alcohols. The reductant system used in the method enables preferential reduction of the carbonyl function. In one embodiment, the reductant system consists of polymethylhydroxysilane and a metal hydride, the hydride being prepared in situ or ex situ from a metal salt or complex by means of a reaction with a reducing agent.

Abstract: A typical traditional reactor for hydrogenation consists of a tank filled with a liquid and a gas and a small particle catalyst. The reaction is carried out at high pressures and high temperatures. Lack of gas on the catalyst surface limits the velocity of reaction. Much work has been done to increase the quantity of gas on the catalyst. It has not been possible to solve this problem effectively with the techniques of today. According to the invention an extra solvent is added to the reaction mixture. By bringing the whole mixture (solvent, substrate, hydrogen and reaction products) to super-critical or near-critical state, a substantially homogeneous mixture can be obtained. By this method it is possible to control the concentration of gas on the catalyst to the desired level. The velocity of reaction is thereby increased considerably. The hydrogenation reactions principally involved comprise hydrogenation of carbon-carbon double bonds (C.dbd.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining .beta.-hydroxy carbonyl compounds and/or .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, characterized in that at least one aldehyde or one ketone is brought into contact with a solid catalyst of general formula (I):?(Mg.sup.2+).sub.1-x (Al.sup.3+).sub.x (OH.sup.-).sub.2 !.sup.x+ ?(OH.sup.-).sub.x !.sup.x- (H.sub.2 O).sub.n (I)with 0.20.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.33 and n<1.

Abstract: Aldehydes, ketones, esters and lactones may be reduced using a reductant system consisting of polymethylhydroxysilane (PMHS) and a metal hydride to give good yields of the corresponding alcohols. The reductant system used in the method enables preferential reduction of the carbonyl function.

Abstract: A process for producing an .alpha.-hydroxy acid or an .alpha.-hydroxyamide which comprises treating an aldehyde and prussic acid or an .alpha.-hydroxynitrile with a microorganism having nitrilase or nitrile hydratase activity in an aqueous medium and maintaining the aldehyde concentration and/or the .alpha.-hydroxynitrile concentration in the reaction mixture within a predetermined range. Also disclosed is a process for producing an .alpha.-hydroxy acid or an .alpha.-hydroxyamide from an aldehyde and prussic acid with a microorganism in an aqueous medium, which comprises maintaining the cyanogen concentration in the reaction mixture within a predetermined range and supplying the aldehyde to the reaction mixture at a predetermined ratio to the prussic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing an optically active alcohol comprising the step of reacting a ketone compound with a hydride reagent in the presence of an optically active metal compound. The resulting optically active alcohols are useful as intermediates for the synthesis of physiologically active compounds such as drugs and pesticides, functional materials such as liquid crystals, and raw materials for synthesis in fine chemistry. A novel optically active cobalt (II) complex useful as a catalyst is also provided.

Abstract: A deactivated supported ruthenium catalyst which has been used to continuously hydrogenate an aqueous acetone stream is regenerated by contacting with steam at an elevated temperature. Periodic regeneration in this manner serves to maintain a high rate of reaction in a process which converts acetone to isopropanol.

Abstract: A propylene stream which contains propane as an impurity is contacted with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst thereby producing a product stream containing butyraldehyde and/or n-butyl alcohol, unreacted propylene and propane. A gas mixture containing propylene and propane is separated from the product stream and subjected to adsorption at a temperature of 0.degree. to 250.degree. C. in a bed of adsorbent which selectively adsorbs propylene, thereby adsorbing substantially all of the propylene from the gas mixture. The propylene is desorbed from the adsorbent and recycled to the reaction zone. The process is operated on a low per pass conversion with recycle of unreacted propylene. In the system of the invention the propylene adsorption unit may be upstream or downstream of the hydroformylation reactor.

Abstract: A hydrogenation process is described for the production of a hydroxylic compound selected from alcohols and diols by hydrogenation of a corresponding unsaturated organic compound selected from esters, diesters and lactones which involves use of two hydrogenation zones (11, 36), each containing a charge of a hydrogenation catalyst (12, 37). In a first phase of operation one of the hydrogenation zones (36 or 11) is in standby condition and a stream of hot hydrogen-containing gas is passed therethrough. Meanwhile a vaporous feed stream comprising a hydrogen-containing gas and the unsaturated organic compound to be hydrogenated, e.g. dimethyl 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate, is fed to the active zone (11 or 36). This feed stream can include the gas stream from the first mentioned hydrogenation zone (36 or 11).

Abstract: A process is described for the production of a hydroxylic compound selected from alcohols and diols by hydrogenation of a hydrogenatable material selected from monoesters of carboxylic acids, monoesters of dicarboxylic acids, diesters of dicarboxylic acids, aldehydes, olefinically unsaturated aldehydes, and mixtures of two or more thereof, which process comprises the steps of:(a) providing a hydrogenation zone containing a charge of a granular hydrogenation catalyst which has a total surface area of at least about 15 m.sup.

Abstract: This invention relates to asymmetric syntheses in which a prochiral or chiral compound is contacted in the presence of an optically active metal-ligand complex catalyst to produce an optically active product.

Abstract: Disclosed are catalyst compositions comprised of the oxides of copper, zinc, and a third element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, zirconium, and mixtures thereof, and the use of such catalyst compositions in the hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds such as carboxylate esters to obtain the alcohol corresponding to the acid residue of the ester.

Abstract: Solid solutions of magnesium oxide-aluminum oxide related to hydrotalcite and what previously has been referred to as synthetic hydrotalcites, have been prepared with a surface area in excess of 250 m.sup.2 /g, especially at low Mg/Al atom ratios. Such high surface area materials are found to be quite effective in the aldol condensation of aldehydes, and in particular in the conversion of n-butyraldehyde to 2-ethyl-2-hexenal in high yield and with good selectivity in a liquid phase reaction at temperatures under about 200.degree. C.

Abstract: In a hydrogenation process, an organic feedstock, such as an unsaturated organic compound containing at least one unsaturated linkage selected from >C.dbd.C<, >C.dbd.O, --C.tbd.C--, and --C.tbd.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a catalyst in powdered form comprising the oxides of copper, iron, aluminum and manganese wherein the atomic ratio of copper to iron is at least 1:1. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a process for preparing such hydrogenation catalysts which comprises the steps of(A) preparing a first aqueous solution containing at least one water-soluble copper salt, at least one water-soluble iron salt, and at least one water-soluble manganese salt;(B) preparing a second solution containing at least one water-soluble basic aluminum salt and at least one alkaline precipitating agent;(C) mixing the first and second solutions wherein an insoluble solid is formed;(D) recovering the soluble solid; and(E) calcining the recovered solid to form the desired catalyst.The invention also relates to a process for hydrogenating aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid esters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an alcohol by hydrogenation of an aldehyde at elevated temperature and superatmospheric pressure in the presence of a homogeneous catalytic system comprising a source of a Group VIII metal compound and a bidentate phosphine.

Abstract: A chemically and optically pure B-halodiiso-2-ethylapopinocampheylborane of essentially 100% ee represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein B is borane and X is halo, and a process of using such for the production of optically active alcohols.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing an alcohol or an amine by reducing a compound having a formyl, keto, nitro, oxirane, ester, nitrile, amide or halogenated carboxyl group with an alkali metal boro-hydride in the presence of a compound having a hydroxyl group and ether linkage. According to the present invention, a functional group having a great steric hindrance can be reduced, and a corresponding alcohol or amine can efficiently be produced under very mild conditions on an industrial scale.

Abstract: Neopentyl glycol is made from isobutyraldehyde and paraformaldehyde; the aldol reaction product is directly mixed with a lower alcohol for hydrogenolysis.

Abstract: The process for producing an optically active alcohol of the present invention comprises allowing(A) an optically active amino alcohol represented by the general formula (I) ##STR1## (R.sup.1 is an aryl group, R.sup.2 is a lower alkyl group, R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and the carbon atoms having a mark * are each an asymmetric carbon atom) and an acid, or a salt of the optically active amino alcohol (I) and an acid,(B) a metal borohydride, and(C) at least one member selected from the group consisting of water, sulfides, cyclic ethers, ethers of mono alcohol to react witha prochiral ketone represented by the general formula (II) ##STR2## [R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are different and each a lower alkyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group or a 2-substituted-1-triazoleethylene group represented by the general formula (III) ##STR3## (R.sup.6 is a halogen- or haloalkyl-substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or a cycloalkyl group)].

Abstract: Neopentyl glycol is made by reacting isobutyraldehyde with paraformaldehyde in the presence of a tertiary amine and one or more oxides of elements of Groups IB, IVA, IVB, VA, VB, VIB and VIII of the periodic table; then hydrogenating the resulting hydroxypivaldehyde-containing product.

Abstract: The asymmetric hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds is carried out in the presence of at least one transition metal complex MZq(M=metal of group VIII of the Periodic Classication; Z=ligand selected among the atoms and the molecules which may complex the metal M; and q=degree of corrdination of M) and of at least one chiral phosphorous-containing ligand having formula (I), wherein R is hydrocarbonated radical (alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl); R.sup.1 is H, hydrocarbonated radical or PR.sub.2 ; R.sup.2 is H or hydrocarbonated radical R.sup.3,R.sup.4, necessarily different, are H and optionally functionalized hydrocarbonated radicals; R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are H and optionally functionalized hydrocarbonated radicals; one of the radicals R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 possibly carrying a function - OPR.sub.2 or NPR.sub.2, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 being in this case H when R.sup.1 is PR.sub.2 ; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 and the atoms of N and C which cary them respectively forming a heterocycle; or R.sup.2 and R.sup.

Abstract: The optically active benzylamine derivatives of the present invention are very useful for use as the asymmetric ligand of an asymmetric reducing agent. By using the optically active amine-boron complex prepared from the compound of the present invention, optically active products can be obtained in a specifically high optical yield. Moreover, the separation and recovery of the reaction products and asymmetric ligand can be easily achieved.

Abstract: Improved oxo process for preparing higher alcohols by hydrolyzing prior to hydrogenation a demetalled hydroformylation reaction product in the presence of an alumina catalyst having a surface area between 40 to about 60 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: A catalytic process for the hydroformylation of olefinic, sulfur containing thermally cracked petroleum streams to produce aldehydes and/or alcohols is disclosed. The catalysts are homogeneous transition metal carbonyl complexes. Especially preferred catalysts for low and medium pressure hydroformylation are cobalt and rhodium carbonyl hydride complexes in which some of the carbonyl ligands have been replaced by trivalent phosphorus ligands. In a preferred high pressure hydroformylation, the sulfur-containing naphtha and gas oil distillate feeds are proudced from vacuum residue by high temperature thermal cracking. Such feeds contain more than 20% olefins with 1-n-olefins as the single major types. These olefin components are hydroformylated in the presence of a cobalt cabonyl complex to produce a novel type of semilinear aldehyde and/or alcohol product containing an average of less than one alkyl branch per molecule.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a primary or secondary alcohol, which comprises hydrogenating respectively an aldehyde or ketone in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a platinum compound, an acid having a pKa in the range from about 2 to about 10.5 and a phosphorus compound of the formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 POH, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group, at a temperature in the range from about 20.degree. to about 150.degree. C. and at a pressure in the range from about 1 to about 100 bar.

Abstract: Unsaturated alcohols are prepared by hydrogenation of the corresponding carbonyl compounds in the presence of a platinum-cobalt bi-metallic catalyst having an alloy structure.

Abstract: A process for the reduction of carbonyl compounds by an alkali or alkaline-earth metal borohydride in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst which is an N-benzyl-N,N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl)cocoammonium halide.

Abstract: A process for reducing an aldehyde or ketone in the presence of a stable, highly active catalyst which is insoluble in a solvent and which can be recovered easily from the reaction system after completion of the reaction and used repeatedly, characterized in that an aldehyde or ketone having a carbonyl group is reacted with an alcohol in the presence of hydrous zirconium oxide as the catalyst.

Abstract: Process for the hydrogenation of carbonyl-containing compouds at mild conditions of temperature and pressure to produce alcohols or amines is disclosed, employing catalysts comprising palladium and zinc on an inorganic support. A method for the preparation of these supported catalysts which are useful for the desired reductive conversion is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of reduction of aldehydes or ketones by means of reaction with alcohols, in the presence of a catalyst, to produce alcohols which correspond to said respective aldehyde or ketone. A solid of partially dehydrated one or more metal hydroxides whose metal is selected from the group consists of titanium, tin, ion, aluminium, cerium, and niobium is used as the catalyst. This process can be conducted either in a gas phase or in a liquid phase.

Abstract: Described is the novel compound genus, the beta-alkylidene phenethyl alcohols of our invention, defined according to the generic structure: ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 represents hydrogen or methyl, useful in augmenting or enhancing the aroma of consumable materials including perfumes, colognes and perfumed articles including solid or liquid anionic, cationic, nonionic or zwitterionic detergents, fabric softener articles, fabric softener compositions, cosmetic powders and hair preparations).

Abstract: The invention relates to 2-ethyl-2-prenyl-3-hexenol, its preparation by the reduction of 2-ethyl-2-prenyl-3-hexenal, and its use as an aromatic substance by itself or as an ingredient in cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a membrane solvent extraction and reaction system. More particularly it pertains to an improvement in the membrane solvent extraction system wherein a solute is extracted through a polymeric membrane from one solvent liquid phase to an extracting solvent liquid without direct contact between the liquid phases which are separated by the membrane and in which the extracting solvent has no greater solubility and usually substantially less solubility for the solute than the feed solvent. The impovement comprises converting the solute permeating across the membrane to a different chemical compound, whereby a high concentration gradient for the solute across the membrane is maintained to improve the separation of the solute from the feed solvent liquid phase.

Abstract: A process is provided for reacting carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of halogen-containing ruthenium carbonyl complexes as catalysts to produce acetaldehyde and/or ethanol.

Abstract: A novel class of compounds, anionic Group VIII metal hydrides containing phosphorus, arsenic and antimony organoligands is described, such as potassium tris and bis(triphenylphosphine) ruthenium hydride. The compounds are useful as homogeneous catalysts in the hydrogenation of aldehydes, ketones, olefins or alkynes. Processes for producing the compounds are also described.

Abstract: Described is the novel compound genus defined according to the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and isopropyl alcohol and wherein the dashed lines represents a carbon-carbon double bond and each of the other of the dashed lines represent carbon-carbon single bonds useful in augmenting or enhancing the aroma or taste of consumable materials including perfumes, colognes, perfumed articles (including solid or liquid anionic, cationic, nonionic or zwitterionic detergents) smoking tobacco or smoking tobacco articles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for synthesizing compounds of aluminium and alkaline earth metals containing hydride hydrogens and alkoxy radicals, of compositionM[A1H.sub.4-n (OR).sub.n ].sub.2.xBin which 0.5.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.3.5; OR is an alkoxy radical derived from a primary, secondary or tertiary alcohol; R is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radical; M is an alkaline earth metal; B is a Lewis base; x can vary between 0 and 4; and R can also contain functional groups OR', SR', NR'.sub.2 ect., consisting of reacting together:(a) a halide of an alkaline earth metal;(b) an alanate of an alkaline earth metal of formula M' A1H.sub.4 (M'.apprxeq.alkaline metal);(c) an alcohol chosen from primary, secondary or tertiary aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic alcohols containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Mixed alkoxy-hydride derivatives of aluminum and alkaline-earth metals are disclosed having the formulaM[AlH.sub.4-n (OR).sub.n ].sub.2which may be complexed with a Lewis base wherein M is an alkaline-earth metal, R is selected from an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and n is a number between 0.5 and 3.5. There is also disclosed a novel process for preparing said derivatives which are useful as reducing agents.

Abstract: Acetaldehyde and ethanol are produced by the catalyzed reaction of formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and hydrogen using a halogen-containing rhodium catalyst.

Abstract: Trickle-type fixed-bed catalytic reactions are improved, prior to starting or resuming an on-stream period, by purging air from the catalyst bed and reaction zone by downward flow of an inert gas therethrough, flooding the purged reaction zone by flowing a liquid upwardly through the catalyst bed to cover same, then removing the liquid and instituting the on-stream period by introducing gaseous and liquid reactants at the upper end of the catalyst bed to flow downwardly therethrough.

Abstract: An industrially suitable process for producing a higher carbonyl compound by the oxidation of an olefinic compound having at least six carbon atoms is provided. Said improved process comprises oxidizing the olefinic compound in aqueous medium containing palladium or salt thereof and a copper salt in the presence of a specific water-soluble polyoxyalkylene compound in an amount of from about 1/4 to about 3 parts by weight per 1 part by weight of water contained in the reaction mixture. The improvement is demonstrated in terms of yield, selectivity, separation of the product, and recycle of the catalyst.

Abstract: A novel class of compounds, anionic Group VIII metal hydrides containing phosphorus, arsenic and antimony organoligands is described, such as potassium tris and bis(triphenylphosphine) ruthenium hydride. The compounds are useful as homogeneous catalysts in the hydrogenation of aldehydes, ketones, olefins or alkynes. Processes for producing the compounds are also described.

Abstract: New bis-thioaralkyl/alkyl alkyl boranes for use in hydroboration and reduction reactions are disclosed. They have the formula:R.sub.4 R.sub.3 HB:R.sub.1 SASR.sub.2 :BHR.sub.3 R.sub.4wherein:A stands for a straignt, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon chain containing from 1 to 9 carbon atoms,R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 stand each for a straight or branched alkyl rest containing up to 5 carbon atoms in the longest chain, or benzyl radicals optionally substituted by one or more lower alkyl containing up to 5 carbon atoms or a halogen, andR.sub.3 and R.sub.4 stand for a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl up to C.sub.6 or a mono or bicycloalkyl group.

Abstract: An asymmetric synthesis process which involves addition of optically active chelated organometal compounds of lithium, sodium, beryllium, magnesium, zinc, copper and cadmium to prochiral unsaturated substrates. The optically active chelating agent is not consumed and can be recycled.