A process for the production of 2-alkylalkanol from an aldehyde is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: feeding aldehyde to a reactor (42) operated under condensation and dehydration conditions such that reaction occurs and an unsaturated aldehyde is produced; recovering a stream from the reactor (42) comprising the unsaturated aldehyde and feeding said stream to a first hydrogenation reactor (45) operated under conditions such that at least some of the unsaturated aldehyde is converted to 2-alkylalkanol; recovering the stream from the first hydrogenation reactor (45) comprising the 2-alkylalkanol, one or more of unreacted acrolein, alkylalkenol and alkylalkanal and heavies; passing the stream recovered from the first hydrogenation reactor (45) to a first distillation zone (48) where at least some of the heavies are separated from the stream; recovering a stream from the first distillation zone (48) comprising the 2-alkylalkanol, one or more of unreacted acrolein, alkylalkenol and alkylalkanal, said stream having a reduced heavies content when compared to the stream fed to the first distillation zone (48), and feeding said stream to a second hydrogenation reactor (51) operated under conditions such that at least one of the unreacted acrolein, alkylalkenol and alkylalkanal are converted to 2-alkylalkanol; and recovering a stream from the second hydrogenation reactor (51) comprising an increased 2-alkylalkanol content compared to the stream fed to the second hydrogenation reactor (51).

A method for producing butadiene, the method including: a first synthesis step of bringing a mixed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide into contact with a first catalyst to obtain a primary product containing ethanol as an intermediate; and a second synthesis step of bringing the primary product into contact with a second catalyst to obtain butadiene.

A method for producing butadiene, the method including: a first synthesis step of bringing a mixed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide into contact with a first catalyst to obtain a primary product containing ethanol as an intermediate; and a second synthesis step of bringing the primary product into contact with a second catalyst to obtain butadiene.

The present invention relates to a novel process for the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene. The syntheses from fluorene to 9,9-bis(hydroxy-methyl)fluorene via a hydroxymethylation and further to 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-fluorene via a etherification are known. 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene is a compound that is used as an electron donor for Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The present invention is related to an improvement in the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene leading to a decrease in the amount of solvent used and an easier work up while achieving high yield and purity.

The present invention relates to a novel process for the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene. The syntheses from fluorene to 9,9-bis(hydroxy-methyl)fluorene via a hydroxymethylation and further to 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-fluorene via a etherification are known. 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene is a compound that is used as an electron donor for Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The present invention is related to an improvement in the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene leading to a decrease in the amount of solvent used and an easier work up while achieving high yield and purity.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing (Z)-7-tetradecen-2-one of the following formula (5), the process comprising the steps of converting a (Z)-1-halo-4-undecene compound (1) of the following general formula (1), wherein X.sup.1 represents a halogen atom, into a nucleophilic reagent, (Z)-4-undecenyl compound, of the following general formula (2), wherein M.sup.1 represents Li or MgZ.sup.1, and Z.sup.1 represents a halogen atom or a (4Z)-4-undecenyl group, subjecting the nucleophilic reagent, (Z)-4-undecenyl compound (2), to an addition reaction with propylene oxide of the following formula (3) to obtain (Z)-7-tetradecen-2-ol of the following formula (4) and oxidizing (Z)-7-tetradecen-2-ol (4) thus obtained to form (Z)-7-tetradecen-2-one (5).

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a process for preparing (Z)-7-tetradecen-2-one of the following formula (5), the process comprising the steps of converting a (Z)-1-halo-4-undecene compound (1) of the following general formula (1), wherein X.sup.1 represents a halogen atom, into a nucleophilic reagent, (Z)-4-undecenyl compound, of the following general formula (2), wherein M.sup.1 represents Li or MgZ.sup.1, and Z.sup.1 represents a halogen atom or a (4Z)-4-undecenyl group, subjecting the nucleophilic reagent, (Z)-4-undecenyl compound (2), to an addition reaction with propylene oxide of the following formula (3) to obtain (Z)-7-tetradecen-2-ol of the following formula (4) and oxidizing (Z)-7-tetradecen-2-ol (4) thus obtained to form (Z)-7-tetradecen-2-one (5).

##STR00001##

The invention relates to a process for preparing substituted 2-arylethanols of the formula (I) by reacting Grignard compounds of the formula (II) in the presence of a copper compound with ethylene oxide. Moreover, the invention relates to novel substituted 2-arylethanols of the formula (I).

The invention relates to a process for preparing substituted 2-arylethanols of the formula (I) by reacting Grignard compounds of the formula (II) in the presence of a copper compound with ethylene oxide. Moreover, the invention relates to novel substituted 2-arylethanols of the formula (I).

The invention relates to a process for preparing substituted 2-arylethanols of the formula (I) by reacting Grignard compounds of the formula (II) in the presence of a copper compound with ethylene oxide. Moreover, the invention relates to novel substituted 2-arylethanols of the formula (I).