The present invention relates to a method for producing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether by introducing a formaldehyde source and at least one compound of the formula (I)

H.sub.3C—O—R  (I) where R is H or —(CH.sub.2O).sub.x—CH.sub.3 with x being 0 or 1
as reactants into a reactive distillation unit and reacting them to give polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether, wherein the method produces polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether exclusively in the reactive distillation unit.

The present invention relates to a method for producing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether by introducing a formaldehyde source and at least one compound of the formula (I)

H.sub.3C—O—R  (I) where R is H or —(CH.sub.2O).sub.x—CH.sub.3 with x being 0 or 1
as reactants into a reactive distillation unit and reacting them to give polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether, wherein the method produces polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether exclusively in the reactive distillation unit.

The present invention relates to a method for producing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether by introducing a formaldehyde source and at least one compound of the formula (I)

H.sub.3C—O—R  (I) where R is H or —(CH.sub.2O).sub.x—CH.sub.3 with x being 0 or 1
as reactants into a reactive distillation unit and reacting them to give polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether, wherein the method produces polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether exclusively in the reactive distillation unit.

The present invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of 1,1,4,4-tetramethoxy-2-butene from 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran with methanol in the presence of an acidic ion exchanger as catalyst, whereby the molar ratio of 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran to methanol is ≥1:45. The present invention is further directed to a process of separating 1,1,4,4-tetramethoxy-2-butene, methanol and 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran from each other and H2O whereby a basic compound, preferably a basic metal salt or a basic ion exchanger, is present. Both processes can be carried out on an industrial scale, batch-wise or in continuous mode and are sustainable since the selectivity and the space-time-yields are high and less waste compared to known processes is produced. Further objects of the present invention are the use of a basic compound in the distillation of a mixture comprising H2O, 1,1,4,4-tetramethoxy-2-butene and 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran, as well as the use of an acidic ion exchanger as catalyst in a reaction of 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran with methanol to 1,1,4,4-tetramethoxy-2-butene, whereby the molar ratio of 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran to methanol is ≥1:45.

The present invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of 1,1,4,4-tetramethoxy-2-butene from 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran with methanol in the presence of an acidic ion exchanger as catalyst, whereby the molar ratio of 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran to methanol is ≥1:45. The present invention is further directed to a process of separating 1,1,4,4-tetramethoxy-2-butene, methanol and 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran from each other and H2O whereby a basic compound, preferably a basic metal salt or a basic ion exchanger, is present. Both processes can be carried out on an industrial scale, batch-wise or in continuous mode and are sustainable since the selectivity and the space-time-yields are high and less waste compared to known processes is produced. Further objects of the present invention are the use of a basic compound in the distillation of a mixture comprising H2O, 1,1,4,4-tetramethoxy-2-butene and 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran, as well as the use of an acidic ion exchanger as catalyst in a reaction of 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran with methanol to 1,1,4,4-tetramethoxy-2-butene, whereby the molar ratio of 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran to methanol is ≥1:45.

The present invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of 1,1,4,4-tetramethoxy-2-butene from 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran with methanol in the presence of an acidic ion exchanger as catalyst, whereby the molar ratio of 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran to methanol is ≥1:45. The present invention is further directed to a process of separating 1,1,4,4-tetramethoxy-2-butene, methanol and 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran from each other and H2O whereby a basic compound, preferably a basic metal salt or a basic ion exchanger, is present. Both processes can be carried out on an industrial scale, batch-wise or in continuous mode and are sustainable since the selectivity and the space-time-yields are high and less waste compared to known processes is produced. Further objects of the present invention are the use of a basic compound in the distillation of a mixture comprising H2O, 1,1,4,4-tetramethoxy-2-butene and 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran, as well as the use of an acidic ion exchanger as catalyst in a reaction of 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran with methanol to 1,1,4,4-tetramethoxy-2-butene, whereby the molar ratio of 2,5-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran to methanol is ≥1:45.

A method for forming poly(dimethoxymethane) includes a step of separating a formaldehyde-containing blend into a first bottom stream and a first top stream. The first formaldehyde-containing blend includes methanol, formaldehyde, and water while the first bottom stream includes water. The first top stream includes dimethoxymethane that is produced from the reaction between methanol and formaldehyde. The first top stream is separated into a second bottom stream and a second top stream. The second bottom stream includes poly(dimethoxymethane) while the second top stream includes dimethoxymethane, methanol, and ethanol. The second top stream is separated into a third bottom stream and a third top stream. Third bottom stream includes methanol and ethanol while the third top stream includes dimethoxymethane. The third top steam can be recycled to form additional poly(dimethoxymethane). A system that implements the method is also provided.

A method for forming poly(dimethoxymethane) includes a step of separating a formaldehyde-containing blend into a first bottom stream and a first top stream. The first formaldehyde-containing blend includes methanol, formaldehyde, and water while the first bottom stream includes water. The first top stream includes dimethoxymethane that is produced from the reaction between methanol and formaldehyde. The first top stream is separated into a second bottom stream and a second top stream. The second bottom stream includes poly(dimethoxymethane) while the second top stream includes dimethoxymethane, methanol, and ethanol. The second top stream is separated into a third bottom stream and a third top stream. Third bottom stream includes methanol and ethanol while the third top stream includes dimethoxymethane. The third top steam can be recycled to form additional poly(dimethoxymethane). A system that implements the method is also provided.

A method for forming poly(dimethoxymethane) includes a step of separating a formaldehyde-containing blend into a first bottom stream and a first top stream. The first formaldehyde-containing blend includes methanol, formaldehyde, and water while the first bottom stream includes water. The first top stream includes dimethoxymethane that is produced from the reaction between methanol and formaldehyde. The first top stream is separated into a second bottom stream and a second top stream. The second bottom stream includes poly(dimethoxymethane) while the second top stream includes dimethoxymethane, methanol, and ethanol. The second top stream is separated into a third bottom stream and a third top stream. Third bottom stream includes methanol and ethanol while the third top stream includes dimethoxymethane. The third top steam can be recycled to form additional poly(dimethoxymethane). A system that implements the method is also provided.

The present invention relates to a cocrystal of ubiquinol and a hydrogen bond donor coformer, to a process for the preparation thereof, and to its use as a medicament or a dietary supplement. The invention also relates to compositions comprising the cocrystal.