Abstract: The present invention provides processes for the production of HCFO-1233zd, 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, from the starting material, 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO-1233xf). In a first process, HCFO-1233zd is produced by the isomerization of HCFO-1233xf. In a second process, HCFO-1233zd is produced in a two-step procedure which includes (i) dehydrochlorination of HCFO-1233xf into trifluoropropyne; and (ii) hydrochlorination of the trifluoropropyne into HCFO-1233zd.

Abstract: Methods or preparing para-xylene from biomass by carrying out a Diels-Alder cycloaddition at controlled temperatures and activity ratios. Methods of preparing bio-terephthalic acid and bio-poly(ethylene terephthalate (bio-PET) are also disclosed, as well as products formed from bio-PET.

Abstract: An isomerization process is disclosed. The process involves contacting 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene with a suitable catalyst in a reaction zone to produce a product mixture comprising 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.

Abstract: A process for making primary haloalkanes by catalytic distillation of internal haloalkanes which comprises a) introducing an internal haloalkane feed into a catalytic distillation column; b) isomerizing at least a portion of the internal haloalkane feed in the presence of an internal haloalkane isomerization catalyst at a temperature at or above the boiling point of the internal haloalkanes and below the temperature and pressure at which hydrogen halide is formed to form primary haloalkanes; and removing the primary haloalkanes from the catalytic distillation column.

Abstract: A process for making primary haloalkanes by catalytic distillation of internal haloalkanes which comprises a) introducing an internal haloalkane feed into a catalytic distillation column; b) isomerizing at least a portion of the internal haloalkane feed in the presence of an internal haloalkane isomerization catalyst at a temperature at or above the boiling point of the internal haloalkanes and below the temperature and pressure at which hydrogen halide is formed to form primary haloalkanes; and removing the primary haloalkanes from the catalytic distillation column.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the conversion of isomerizable halogenated C2-C6 olefins from one geometric form to a more preferred geometric form. Preferred process aspects involve converting C2-C6 olefin in a cis-form to a trans-form under conditions effective to convert at least about 50 percent, and even more preferably at least about 70 percent, of the cis-form compound to the trans-form compound. In preferred embodiments the C2-C6 olefin comprises tetrafluoropropene, with cis-1,3,3,3 tetrafluoropropene (cis-HFO-1234ze) being converted, preferably at high conversion rates and high selectivity, to trans-1,3,3,3 tetrafluoropropene (trans-HFO-1234ze).

Abstract: Describes a method for recovering trans-1,2-dichloroethene from a liquid feed composition comprising both the cis-and trans-isomers of 1,2-dichloroethene and contaminating amounts of other chlorinated hydrocarbons, e.g., lower alkyl chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as C1-C2 chlorinated hydrocarbons. In one of the described methods, the liquid feed composition is introduced into a first distillation column 10 wherein the stereoisomers and chlorinated hydrocarbons more volatile than the stereoisomers are removed as overhead 12 and charged to a second distillation column 20. In column 20, the stereoisomers are separated from the more volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons, and a bottoms fraction 24 comprising the stereoisomers is charged to a reactive distillation column 30 wherein the cis-isomer is isomerized to the trans-isomer in the liquid phase and in the presence of an organic free-radical initiator, e.g., an azonitrile initiator.

Abstract: A catalyst composition with a high halogenated aromatics isomerization activity, a halogenated aromatic isomerization method using said catalyst composition, and a halogenated aromatics isomerization method capable of prolonging the life or regeneration period of the catalyst. The invention also includes a catalyst composition characterized in that the maximum diameter of secondary particles of the zeolite in the formed catalyst is 5 microns or less is used to improve the halogenated aromatics isomerization activity. Furthermore, if dissolved oxygen is decreased, the life or regeneration period of the catalyst can be prolonged.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for isomerizing 1,4-dichloro-2-butene to yield 3,4-dichloro-1-butene or 3,4-dichloro-1-butene to yield 1,4-dichloro-2-butene, characterized in that the catalyst used comprises a compound of the formula CpFe(CO)2X, wherein Cp denotes a cyclopentadienyl derivative of the general formula (I), 1

Abstract: Described is a process for easily preparing an .alpha.-bromo,.omega.-chloroalkane which is high in purity represented by the formula: Br(CH.sub.2).sub.n Cl in which n stands for an integer of 4 to 12. The process comprises reacting in an organic solvent an .alpha.,.omega.-dichloroalkane with an .alpha..omega.-dibromoalkane. As the organic solvent, an aprotic nitrogen-containing or sulfur-containing organic solvent having a dielectric constant at 20.degree. C. of 20 or larger, for example, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide or N,N-dimethylimidazolidinone is preferred.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for the preparation of geometrical isomers which are important as constituents of synthetic pheromones, synthetic perfumes, terpenes and the like (i.e., a method for the isomerization of cis-alkenyl compounds to their trans-isomers). In this method, the above-described object is accomplished by reacting a cis-alkenyl compound in the presence of nitric acid used as the sole catalyst.

Abstract: Tetrahydrofuran is prepared by reacting a 1,4-dihalobutane with water in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of at least one solid acidic elemental oxide and/or solid acidic mixed elemental oxide, or acidic ion exchange resin which is stable under reaction conditions.