A heterogeneous catalyst for substrate-directed hydrogenation includes bimetallic nanoparticles of M.sub.1-M.sub.2, wherein M.sub.1 is a noble metal and M.sub.2 is a first-row transition metal. The bimetallic nanoparticles are on a substrate and atoms of both the noble metal and the first-row transition metal are distributed across surfaces of the bimetallic nanoparticles. The heterogeneous catalyst may be produced by providing M.sub.1-M.sub.2 bimetallic nanoparticles on a substrate to produce an intermediate composition, and performing a reduction process on the intermediate composition such that atoms of both the noble metal (M.sub.1) and the first-row transition metal (M.sub.2) are distributed across surfaces of the bimetallic nanoparticles and thereby form the heterogeneous catalyst. The catalyst may be used for performing directed hydrogenation of a substrate.

The disclosure relates to downstream processing of fatty alcohol (FALC) and provides a novel purification method that provides FALC at high purity and yield.

The disclosure relates to downstream processing of fatty alcohol (FALC) and provides a novel purification method that provides FALC at high purity and yield.

A reactor for performing a reaction between two immiscible fluids of different density, comprising an interior formed by a cylindrical, vertically oriented elongate shell, a bottom and a cap, wherein the interior is divided by internals into a backmixed zone, a zone of limited backmixing preferably arranged below the backmixed zone and a plug-flow zone which are at least consecutively traversable by one of the fluids, wherein the backmixed zone comprises at least one inlet and the plug-flow zone comprises an outlet and the backmixed zone comprises at least one mixing apparatus selected from a stirrer, a jet nozzle and means for injecting the fluid of lower density, a first cylindrical internal element which in the interior extends in the longitudinal direction of the reactor, which delimits the zone of limited backmixing from the plug-flow zone and which comprises a first passage to the backmixed zone and a second passage to the plug-flow zone, a second internal element which delimits the backmixed zone from the plug-flow zone such that there is no direct fluid connection between the backmixed zone and the plug-flow zone, and backmixing-preventing third internal elements in the form of random packings, structured packings or liquid-permeable trays arranged in the zone of limited backmixing. The reactor allows an optimal residence time distribution in the reaction of the two immiscible fluids of different density. The invention further relates to a process for performing a continuous reaction in the reactor.

A reactor for performing a reaction between two immiscible fluids of different density, comprising an interior formed by a cylindrical, vertically oriented elongate shell, a bottom and a cap, wherein the interior is divided by internals into a backmixed zone, a zone of limited backmixing preferably arranged below the backmixed zone and a plug-flow zone which are at least consecutively traversable by one of the fluids, wherein the backmixed zone comprises at least one inlet and the plug-flow zone comprises an outlet and the backmixed zone comprises at least one mixing apparatus selected from a stirrer, a jet nozzle and means for injecting the fluid of lower density, a first cylindrical internal element which in the interior extends in the longitudinal direction of the reactor, which delimits the zone of limited backmixing from the plug-flow zone and which comprises a first passage to the backmixed zone and a second passage to the plug-flow zone, a second internal element which delimits the backmixed zone from the plug-flow zone such that there is no direct fluid connection between the backmixed zone and the plug-flow zone, and backmixing-preventing third internal elements in the form of random packings, structured packings or liquid-permeable trays arranged in the zone of limited backmixing. The reactor allows an optimal residence time distribution in the reaction of the two immiscible fluids of different density. The invention further relates to a process for performing a continuous reaction in the reactor.

The present invention relates to a process for making 1,4-butanediol. The process may include reacting a solution comprising 1,4-butynediol with hydrogen in a presence of a catalyst. The catalyst may include cerium.

The present invention relates to a process for making 1,4-butanediol. The process may include reacting a solution comprising 1,4-butynediol with hydrogen in a presence of a catalyst. The catalyst may include cerium.

The disclosure relates to downstream processing of fatty alcohol (FALC) and provides a novel purification method that provides FALC at high purity and yield.

The disclosure relates to downstream processing of fatty alcohol (FALC) and provides a novel purification method that provides FALC at high purity and yield.

The present invention relates to a fixed bed of catalytically active metal foam bodies having a volume of not more than 500 mL which consist to an extent of at least 95 wt % of metals. The fixed bed is used for catalytic reactions in a three-phase reaction mixture.