A method for preparing an aldehyde including forming a reaction product including an aldehyde by reacting an olefin-based compound with a synthetic gas in a hydroformylation reactor in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst; introducing the reaction product including the aldehyde to a vaporizer; separating low-boiling point components of the reaction product from an upper part of a vaporizer catch pot included in the vaporizer; separating high-boiling point components of the reaction product from a lower part of the vaporizer catch pot; and recirculating at least a portion of the low-boiling point components separated from an upper part of the vaporizer catch pot back to the vaporizer.

The disclosed embodiments detail improved methods for the synthesis of diketopiperazines from amino acids. In particular improved methods for the cyclocondensation and purification of N-protected 3,6-(aminoalkyl)-2,5-diketopiperazines from N-protected amino acids. Disclosed embodiments describe methods for the synthesis of 3,6-bis-[N-protected aminoalkyl]-2,5-diketopiperazine comprising heating a mixture of an amino acid in the presence of a catalyst in an organic solvent. The catalyst is selected from the group comprising sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, 1-propylphosphonic acid cyclic anhydride, tributyl phosphate, phenyl phosphonic acid and phosphorous pentoxide among others. The solvent is selected from the group comprising: dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, diglyme, ethyl glyme, proglyme, ethyldiglyme, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-cresol, xylenes, ethylene glycol and phenol among others.

The invention provides a method for producing an epoxy compound by hydrogen peroxide using an organic compound having a carbon-carbon double bond as a raw material, wherein a by-product is suppressed from being generated and the epoxy compound is produced in a high yield. In particular, the invention provides a method for producing an epoxy compound involving oxidizing a carbon-carbon double bond in an organic compound with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises a tungsten compound; a phosphoric acid, a phosphonic acid or salts thereof; and an onium salt having an alkyl sulfate ion represented by formula (I) as an anion: ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbons, which may be substituted with 1 to 3 phenyl groups.

Provided herein are methods for producing α,β-unsaturated ketones from the condensation of methyl ketones in the presence of an amine catalyst. Such amine catalysts may be supported, for example, on a silica-alumina support. Such amine catalysts may be used in the presence of an additional acid. The α,β-unsaturated ketones may be produced by dimerization and/or timerization of the methyl ketones. Such α,β-unsaturated ketones may be suitable for use in producing fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, or precursors thereof. The methyl ketones may be obtained from renewable sources, such as by the fermentation of biomass.

A process for producing isomerized olefins, branched aldehydes, branched alcohols, branched surfactants and other branched derivatives through isomerization, hydroformylation, hydrogenation, surfactant forming reactions and other derivative forming reactions.

The present disclosure provides a process. In an embodiment, the process includes providing a first blend composed of nonanals, C.sub.8 olefins and C.sub.7-C.sub.9 alkanes. The process includes adding, to the first blend, a component selected from C.sub.4 aldehyde, C.sub.5 aldehyde, and combinations thereof to form a non-aqueous reaction mixture having an initial water content from 0 wt% to 10 wt % water. The process includes introducing an organic base catalyst to the non-aqueous reaction mixture and heating the non-aqueous reaction mixture to a temperature from 30° C. to 100° C. and cross-aldol condensing the non-aqueous reaction mixture. The process includes forming a cross-aldol product composed of a component selected from C.sub.8 enals, C.sub.10 enals, C.sub.13 enals, C.sub.14 enals, and C.sub.18 enals, and combinations thereof.

The invention provides a method for producing an epoxy compound by hydrogen peroxide using an organic compound having a carbon-carbon double bond as a raw material, wherein a by-product is suppressed from being generated and the epoxy compound is produced in a high yield. In particular, the invention provides a method for producing an epoxy compound involving oxidizing a carbon-carbon double bond in an organic compound with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises a tungsten compound; a phosphoric acid, a phosphonic acid or salts thereof; and an onium salt having an alkyl sulfate ion represented by formula (I) as an anion:

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbons, which may be substituted with 1 to 3 phenyl groups.

The disclosed embodiments detail improved methods for the synthesis of diketopiperazines from amino acids. In particular improved methods for the cyclocondensation and purification of N-protected 3,6-(aminoalkyl)-2,5-diketopiperazines from N-protected amino acids. Disclosed embodiments describe methods for the synthesis of 3,6-bis-[N-protected aminoalkyl]-2,5-diketopiperazine comprising heating a mixture of an amino acid in the presence of a catalyst in an organic solvent. The catalyst is selected from the group comprising sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, 1-propylphosphonic acid cyclic anhydride, tributyl phosphate, phenyl phosphonic acid and phosphorous pentoxide among others. The solvent is selected from the group comprising: dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, diglyme, ethyl glyme, proglyme, ethyldiglyme, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-cresol, xylenes, ethylene glycol and phenol among others.

The compound of the formula (1) and its complexes with metal cations are used for catalysis in hydroformylation processes. ##STR00001##

A continuous process for the preparation of propylene oxide, comprising providing a liquid feed stream comprising propene, hydrogen peroxide, methanol, water, at least one dissolved potassium salt of hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, and optionally propane; passing the liquid feed stream provided in (i) into an epoxidation reactor comprising a catalyst comprising a titanium zeolite of structure type MFI, and subjecting the liquid feed stream to epoxidation reaction conditions in the epoxidation reactor, obtaining a reaction mixture comprising propylene oxide, methanol, water, and the at least one dissolved potassium salt of hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, and optionally propane; removing an effluent stream from the epoxidation reactor, the effluent stream comprising propylene oxide, methanol, water, at least a portion of the at least one potassium salt of hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, and optionally propane.