Scientific Design Company, Inc.

The Halcon Sd Group, Inc.

Halcon Research and Development Corp.

Halcon International, Inc.

Robert J Harvey

Alkylene carbonates, particularly ethylene carbonate, are prepared by the reaction of an alkylene oxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst at temperatures in the region of the critical temperature of carbon dioxide, preferably 25.degree.-70.degree. C. and at autogenerated pressures, typically 30 to 200 kg/cm.sup.2 gauge. The conversion of alkylene oxide to alkylene carbonate can be carried out in the presence of water while minimizing the undesirable hydrolysis of the carbonate to the corresponding alkylene glycol. With certain catalysts the presence of water improves the selectivity to the formation of the carbonate.

Preparation of alkylene carbonates

Alkylene carbonates, particularly ethylene carbonate, are prepared by the reaction of an alkylene oxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst at temperatures in the region of the critical temperature of carbon dioxide, preferably 25.degree.-70.degree. C. and at autogenerated pressures, typically 30 to 200 kg/cm.sup.2 gauge. The conversion of alkylene oxide to alkylene carbonate can be carried out in the presence of water while minimizing the undesirable hydrolysis of the carbonate to athe corresponding alkylene glycol. With certain catalysts the presence of water improves the selectivity to the formation of the carbonate.

Dibenzofuran is prepared by reacting diphenyl ether in an oxygen-containing atmosphere in the presence of a palladium carboxylate catalyst, a carboxlyic acid and a copper carboxylate promoter or co-catalyst.

Preparation of dibenzofuran

A process for the production of carbamates is provided in which an organic primary or secondary amine is contacted, in the substantial absence of reactive oxygen, with a source of carbon monoxide, an organic compound containing at least one hydroxyl group, and a metal reactant comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds and complexes of Group VIII of the Periodic Table.

Process for the manufacture of carbamates

Process for the preparation of nucleophilically ring-substituted aromatic compounds from an aromatic-thallium (III) metallate is provided in which the aromatic-thallium (III) metallate is contacted with a source of the nucleophile to form the desired substituted aromatic compound, which may be recovered from the reaction mixture as by distillation. Exemplary processes include the preparation of aniline and phenol from benzene.

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Teaneck, NJ, United States of America

Robert J Harvey