Abstract: Vinyltoluene is separated from close-boiling, olefinically unsaturated alkylaromatic compounds by extractive distillation. For example, vinyltoluene is separated from cis-.beta.-methylstyrene, and from .alpha.-methylstyrene by extractive distillation using .gamma.-butyrolactone as the extracting agent.

Abstract: The presence of a minor amount of a tetrahydrocarbylammonium thiomolybdate containing at least about 15 carbon atoms, such as trioctylmethylammonium thiomolybdate, to a grease thickened with a substituted-urea composition substantially improves the extreme pressure properties of the grease.

Abstract: The combustible component of a stream of low heating value gas comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane is combusted using less than a stoichiometric amount of air in the presence of an oxygenation catalyst and the heat energy in the combusted gas is utilized, for example, by expansion in a gas turbine.

Abstract: An alpha-olefin is oligomerized in the presence of a three-component catalyst comprising a particulate solid adsorbent, boron trifluoride and elemental oxygen. For example, 1-decene is oligomerized to a product predominating in the trimer and tetramer using boron trifluoride, elemental oxygen and silica as the solid adsorbent.

Abstract: The combustible component of a gas stream of low heating value is combusted using less than a stoichiometric amount of oxygen with minor production of carbon monoxide due to the use of an oxygenation catalyst comprising at least three metals in a perovskite-type crystal structure. This combusted gas can be directly vented to the atmosphere after energy has been extracted from it for a useful purpose.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenating unsaturated carboxylic acids and esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids such as fatty acids which comprises reacting the unsaturated composition with hydrogen in contact with a catalyst prepared from a layered complex nickel silicate which has been prepared in a multi-stage procedure comprising reduction in a hydrogen atmosphere, oxidation in an atmosphere containing molecular oxygen and then again reduction in a hydrogen atmosphere.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium thiomolybdates are prepared in a two-phase reaction system by contacting an aqueous solution of a thiomolybdate salt with a solution of a quaternary ammonium salt in a water-immiscible organic solvent. For example, mixing a solution of dicocodimethylammonium chloride in toluene with an aqueous solution of potassium thiomolybdate results in a toluene solution containing dicocodimethylammonium thiomolybdate.

Abstract: Novel quaternary ammonium thiomolybdates are prepared by contacting an aqueous solution of a thiomolybdate salt with a solution of a water-insoluble quaternary ammonium salt in a water-immiscible organic solvent. For example, mixing a solution of dicocodimethylammonium chloride in toluene with an aqueous solution of potassium thiomolybdate results in a toluene solution containing dicocodimethylammonium thiomolybdate. These quaternary ammonium thiomolybdates find use as additives in motor oils and greases to enhance their antifriction characteristics.

Abstract: A catalyst is prepared by reacting tungsten hexafluoride with water in a molar ratio of 2:1 to 20:1. This catalyst can be used to oligomerize 1-butene to produce synthetic hydrocarbon oils.

Abstract: A synthetic hydrocarbon fluid is prepared by oligomerizing an olefin reactant in the presence of a catalyst prepared by reacting tungsten hexafluoride and water at a moderate temperature. For example, 1-butene is oligomerized at a temperature of about 40.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst obtained by reacting tungsten hexafluoride and water in a four to one mol ratio. The liquid oligomer product is then hydrogenated to remove residual unsaturation.

Abstract: A synthetic hydrocarbon fluid is prepared by oligomerizing an olefin reactant in the presence of a catalyst prepared by reacting tungsten hexafluoride and a branched-chain aliphatic alcohol at a moderate temperature. For example, 1-butene is oligomerized at a temperature of about 40.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst obtained by reacting tungsten hexafluoride and isopropanol in a four to one mol ratio. The liquid oligomer product is then hydrogenated to remove residual unsaturation.

Abstract: In the underground gasification of a swelling coal the high gas-flow link between the injection and the production wells needed for the gasification process is produced by reverse combustion using air heated to a temperature below the softening point of the coal. The heated air pretreats and conditions the coal proximate to the link under formation by increasing its permeability and reducing its swelling properties. Improved combustion and suppression of plugging results in the subsequent gasification stage.

Abstract: A catalyst is prepared by reacting tungsten hexafluoride with a branched-chain aliphatic alcohol in a molar ratio of 2:1 to 20:1. This catalyst can be used to oligomerize 1-butene to produce synthetic hydrocarbon oils.

Abstract: Propylene is converted to propylene glycol at high selectivity in a process in which ethylbenzene hydroperoxide and water are reacted with propylene in the presence of osmium tetroxide catalyst and a base at a pH of about 14.

Abstract: An alpha-olefin is oligomerized in the presence of a three-component catalyst comprising a particulate solid adsorbent having boron trifluoride and water adsorbed on the solid adsorbent. For example, 1-decene is oligomerized to a product predominating in the trimer and tetramer using silica as the solid adsorbent.

Abstract: In the underground gasification of a swelling coal the high gas-flow link between the injection and the production wells is produced by introducing hot air into the injection well at a pressure sufficient to fracture the coal. The bulk permeability of the coal proximate to the link is increased and the plugging of the link during the subsequent in situ combustion and gasification procedure is suppressed by continuing the injection of the hot air, heated to a temperature below the softening point of the coal, into the injection well, through the link to the production well without combustion of the coal.

Abstract: The combustible component of a gas stream of low heating value is combusted using less than a stoichiometric amount of oxygen in the presence of an oxygenation catalyst and the heat energy in the combusted gas is utilized, for example, by expansion in a gas turbine.

Abstract: In the underground gasification of a swelling coal the bulk permeability of the coal proximate to the linkage between the injection and the production holes is increased and the plugging of the linkage during the in situ combustion and gasification procedure is suppressed by subjecting this coal proximate to the linkage between the injection and production holes to a stream of air heated to a temperature below the softening point of the coal prior to the in situ combustion and gasification procedure.

Abstract: Cumene hydroperoxide in a solvent comprising phenol and acetone is decomposed to phenol and acetone using a soluble rhenium compound.

Abstract: The hydroperoxides of diisopropylbenzene are prepared by the oxidation of diisopropylbenzene with molecular oxygen in the presence of a minute amount of solid barium oxide.