The present invention is directed to a process for synthesizing an internal ketone K1 by decarboxylative ketonization reaction of a fatty acid, a fatty acid derivative or a mixture thereof in a liquid phase with a metal compound as catalyst in a reaction medium, said process being characterized in that a ketone K2 at liquid state, which is identical or similar to the ketone K1, is introduced into the reaction medium. The so-synthesized internal ketone K1 can be used for the preparation of a variety of end compounds, including surfactants having a twin-tail structure or a Gemini structure.

The present invention is directed to a process for synthesizing an internal ketone K1 by decarboxylative ketonization reaction of a fatty acid, a fatty acid derivative or a mixture thereof in a liquid phase with a metal compound as catalyst in a reaction medium, said process being characterized in that a ketone K2 at liquid state, which is identical or similar to the ketone K1, is introduced into the reaction medium. The so-synthesized internal ketone K1 can be used for the preparation of a variety of end compounds, including surfactants having a twin-tail structure or a Gemini structure.

The present invention provides a process for preparing 4-methyl-5-nonanone of the following formula (3), the process comprising at least a step of subjecting pentanoic anhydride of the following formula (1) and a 2-pentyl nucleophilic reagent of the following general formula (2), in which M represents Li, MgZ.sup.1, or ZnZ.sup.1, wherein Z.sup.1 represents a halogen atom or a 2-pentyl group, to a nucleophilic substitution reaction to produce 4-methyl-5-nonanone (3), as well as a process for preparing 4-methyl-5-nonanol of the following formula (7), the process comprising at least steps of preparing 4-methyl-5-nonanone and subjecting the obtained 4-methyl-5-nonanone and a reducing agent to a reduction reaction to produce 4-methyl-5-nonanol (7). ##STR00001##

The present invention provides a process for preparing 4-methyl-5-nonanone of the following formula (3), the process comprising at least a step of subjecting pentanoic anhydride of the following formula (1) and a 2-pentyl nucleophilic reagent of the following general formula (2), in which M represents Li, MgZ.sup.1, or ZnZ.sup.1, wherein Z.sup.1 represents a halogen atom or a 2-pentyl group, to a nucleophilic substitution reaction to produce 4-methyl-5-nonanone (3), as well as a process for preparing 4-methyl-5-nonanol of the following formula (7), the process comprising at least steps of preparing 4-methyl-5-nonanone and subjecting the obtained 4-methyl-5-nonanone and a reducing agent to a reduction reaction to produce 4-methyl-5-nonanol (7). ##STR00001##

The present invention provides a process for preparing 4-methyl-5-nonanone of the following formula (3): the process comprising at least a step of subjecting 2-methylpentanoic anhydride of the following formula (1) and an n-butyl nucleophilic reagent of the following general formula (2) in which M represents Li, MgZ.sup.1, or ZnZ.sup.1, wherein Z.sup.1 represents a halogen atom or an n-butyl group, to a nucleophilic substitution. reaction Coproduce 4-methyl-5-nonanone (3), as well as a process for preparing 4-methyl-5-nonanol of the following formula (5), the process comprising at least steps of preparing 4-methyl-5-nonanone; and subjecting the obtained 4-methyl-5-nonanone and a reducing agent to a reduction reaction to produce 4-methyl-5-nonanol (5). ##STR00001##

The present invention provides a process for preparing 4-methyl-5-nonanone of the following formula (3): the process comprising at least a step of subjecting 2-methylpentanoic anhydride of the following formula (1) and an n-butyl nucleophilic reagent of the following general formula (2) in which M represents Li, MgZ.sup.1, or ZnZ.sup.1, wherein Z.sup.1 represents a halogen atom or an n-butyl group, to a nucleophilic substitution. reaction Coproduce 4-methyl-5-nonanone (3), as well as a process for preparing 4-methyl-5-nonanol of the following formula (5), the process comprising at least steps of preparing 4-methyl-5-nonanone; and subjecting the obtained 4-methyl-5-nonanone and a reducing agent to a reduction reaction to produce 4-methyl-5-nonanol (5). ##STR00001##

Process P.sup.1 for the manufacture of a secondary fatty alcohol, said process P.sup.1 comprising synthesizing an internal ketone K1 by a process P.sup.0 comprising the decarboxylative ketonization reaction of a fatty acid or the like in a liquid phase with a metal compound as catalyst in a reaction medium, wherein a ketone K.sup.2 at liquid state, which is identical or similar to the internal ketone K.sup.1, is introduced into the reaction medium, and subjecting the internal ketone K.sup.1 to a hydrogenation reaction with hydrogen gas as hydrogenating agent to form the secondary fatty alcohol. Use of the secondary fatty alcohol manufactured by the process P.sup.1 for the manufacture of an internal olefin or of an internal olefin sulfonate.

Process P.sup.1 for the manufacture of a secondary fatty alcohol, said process P.sup.1 comprising synthesizing an internal ketone K1 by a process P.sup.0 comprising the decarboxylative ketonization reaction of a fatty acid or the like in a liquid phase with a metal compound as catalyst in a reaction medium, wherein a ketone K.sup.2 at liquid state, which is identical or similar to the internal ketone K.sup.1, is introduced into the reaction medium, and subjecting the internal ketone K.sup.1 to a hydrogenation reaction with hydrogen gas as hydrogenating agent to form the secondary fatty alcohol. Use of the secondary fatty alcohol manufactured by the process P.sup.1 for the manufacture of an internal olefin or of an internal olefin sulfonate.

A mixture of two alkoxylates surfactants, one being an aryl aliphatic carbinol alkoxylate, the other one being a dialiphatic carbinol alkoxylate, said mixture being useful for stabilizing emulsions and dispersions used in agricultural or pharmaceutical formulations. The alkoxylates surfactants may serve as substitutes for nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) and tristyrylphenol ethoxylates (TSE).

A mixture of two alkoxylates surfactants, one being an aryl aliphatic carbinol alkoxylate, the other one being a dialiphatic carbinol alkoxylate, said mixture being useful for stabilizing emulsions and dispersions used in agricultural or pharmaceutical formulations. The alkoxylates surfactants may serve as substitutes for nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) and tristyrylphenol ethoxylates (TSE).