Provided is a process for the formation of nitrated compounds by the nitration of hydrocarbon compounds with dilute nitric acid. Also provided are processes for preparing industrially useful downstream derivatives of the nitrated compounds, as well as novel nitrated compounds and derivatives, and methods of using the derivatives in various applications.

Provided is a process for the formation of nitrated compounds by the nitration of hydrocarbon compounds with dilute nitric acid. Also provided are processes for preparing industrially useful downstream derivatives of the nitrated compounds, as well as novel nitrated compounds and derivatives, and methods of using the derivatives in various applications.

A catalyst, which is obtained by mixing a compound expressed by the following Structural Formula (1), a nitroalkane compound, a neodymium-containing compound, a sodium-containing compound, and a carbon structure: ##STR00001##

A catalyst, which is obtained by mixing a compound expressed by the following Structural Formula (1), a nitroalkane compound, a neodymium-containing compound, a sodium-containing compound, and a carbon structure: ##STR00001##

Provided is a process for the formation of nitrated compounds by the nitration of hydrocarbon compounds with dilute nitric acid. Also provided are processes for preparing industrially useful downstream derivatives of the nitrated compounds, as well as novel nitrated compounds and derivatives, and methods of using the derivatives in various applications.

Provided is a process for the formation of nitrated compounds by the nitration of hydrocarbon compounds with dilute nitric acid. Also provided are processes for preparing industrially useful downstream derivatives of the nitrated compounds, as well as novel nitrated compounds and derivatives, and methods of using the derivatives in various applications.

Provided is a process for the formation of nitrated compounds by the nitration of hydrocarbon compounds with dilute nitric acid. Also provided are processes for preparing industrially useful downstream derivatives of the nitrated compounds, as well as novel nitrated compounds and derivatives, and methods of using the derivatives in various applications.

A process for making a tertiary aminoalcohol compound is disclosed. The process comprises using an excess amount of a carbonyl compound in a condensation step between the carbonyl compound and a nitroalkane in the presence of a catalytic amount of a tertiary aminoalcohol compound, and conducting a hydrogenation/alkylation step to produce the tertiary aminoalcohol. The tertiary aminoalcohol compound used to catalyze the condensation step is preferably the same tertiary aminoalcohol compound produced in the hydrogenation/alkylation step. The process uses fewer steps than conventional processes.

A process for making a tertiary aminoalcohol compound is disclosed. The process comprises using an excess amount of a carbonyl compound in a condensation step between the carbonyl compound and a nitroalkane in the presence of a catalytic amount of a tertiary aminoalcohol compound, and conducting a hydrogenation/alkylation step to produce the tertiary aminoalcohol. The tertiary aminoalcohol compound used to catalyze the condensation step is preferably the same tertiary aminoalcohol compound produced in the hydrogenation/alkylation step. The process uses fewer steps than conventional processes.