Abstract: In one of its embodiments this invention provides a process for recovering C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 dicarboxylic acid components contained in a waste byproduct stream derived from a reaction system in which adipic acid is produced by nitric acid oxidation of cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol.An important aspect of the process is the esterification and extraction of the C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 dicarboxylic acids in the aqueous byproduct stream with a mixture of C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkanol and C.sub.6 -C.sub.20 alkanol, and the subsequent recovery of di(C.sub.6 -C.sub.20 alkyl) esters of succinic acid, glutaric acid and adipic acid.In a broader aspect this invention provides a process for recovery of water miscible organic acid components contained in an aqueous solution as C.sub.6 -C.sub.20 alkyl esters of the organic acids.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for selective conversion of vinylcyclohexene to ethylbenzene and hydrogen in the presence of a palladium on non-acidic zeolite catalyst.In the catalyst preparation, the catalyst is calcined first in air and then in a hydrocarbon type environment. Without the two step calcination procedure, the catalyst has a lower level of activity and selectivity.The process proceeds as an oxygen-assisted dehydrogenation reaction which yields recoverable hydrogen byproduct, rather than as an oxydehydrogenation reaction which yields water byproduct.

Abstract: A superheater supported in a furnace and composed of a plurality of piping lengths in which the individual pipe lengths are supported in the furnace by a pair of hanger rods pivotally mounted to the pipe lengths substantially at the ends of the pipe lengths, the rods being slidably mounted to a support surface exterior of the furnace whereby the rods are free to move in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe lengths. The inlet and outlet headers to and from the superheater can comprise the support surface for the hanger rods.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved oxydehydrogenation process for the production of tertiary-butylstyrene which involves the contacting of a vapor phase mixture of tertiarybutylethylbenzene and oxygen with a novel coprecipitated aluminum-calcium-silicon-tungsten phosphate catalyst composition.The tertiary-butylstyrene is produced with a high conversion selectivity, and concomitantly there is little or no dialkenylbenzene byproduct produced.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved oxydehydrogenation process for the production of tertiary-butylstyrene which involves the contacting of a vapor phase mixture of tertiary-butylethylbenzene and oxygen with a novel coprecipitated nickel-zirconium phosphate or nickel-zirconium-cerium phosphate catalyst composition.The tertiary-butylstyrene is produced with a high conversion selectivity, and concomitantly there is little or no dialkenylbenzene byproducts produced.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved process for the separation and recovery of byproducts associated with the isolation of C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 dicarboxylic acids contained in a waste byproduct stream derived from an adipic acid manufacturing operation involving nitric acid oxidation of a cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol feedstream.The main byproducts which are recovered are high purity dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate and dimethyl adipate.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved oxydehydrogenation process for the production of tertiary-butylstyrene which involves the contacting of a vapor phase mixture of tertiary-butylethylbenzene and oxygen with a novel coprecipitated aluminum-calcium-cerium phosphate catalyst composition.The tertiary-butylstyrene is produced with a high conversion selectivity, and concomitantly there is little or no dialkenylbenzene byproducts produced.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention provides a process for converting a dilute aqueous filtrate byproduct stream from adipic acid manufacture into a concentrated methanolic solution which does not solidify at ambient temperatures.In another embodiment, this invention provides an improved process for the separation and recovery of byproducts associated with the isolation of C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 dicarboxylic acids contained in a waste byproduct stream derived from an adipic acid manufacturing operation involving nitric acid oxidation of a cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol feedstream in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for improving the recovery of byproducts associated with the isolation of C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 dicarboxylic acids contained in a waste byproduct stream, wherein the byproduct stream is derived from an adipic acid manufacturing operation involving nitric acid oxidation of a cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol feedstream.The main byproducts which are isolated are high purity dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate and dimethyl adipate. Monomethyl esters of these dicarboxylic acids are recovered and recycled in the process.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for selective conversion of vinylcyclohexene to ethylbenzene in the presence of a palladium on nonacidic zeolite catalyst.In the catalyst preparation, the catalyst is calcined first in air and then in a hydrocarbon type environment. Without the two step calcination procedure, the catalyst has a lower level of activity and selectivity.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved oxydehydrogenation process for the production of tertiary-butylstyrene which involves the contacting of a vapor phase mixture of tertiary-butylethylbenzene and oxygen with a novel coprecipitated aluminum-calcium-cerium phosphate catalyst composition.The tertiary-butylstyrene is produced with a high conversion selectivity, and concomitantly there is little or no dialkenylbenzene byproducts produced.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved oxydehydrogenation process for the production of tertiary-butylstyrene which involves the contacting of a vapor phase mixture of tertiary-butylethylbenzene and oxygen with a novel coprecipitated nickel-zirconium phosphate or nickel-zirconium-cerium phosphate catalyst composition.The tertiary-butylstyrene is produced with a high conversion selectivity, and concomitantly there is little or no dialkenylbenzene byproducts produced.

Abstract: Freezing and melting techniques are described for separating 1,3-butadiene from a mixture of four-carbon compounds by fractional freezing of the liquid mixture and by fractional melting thereof. It has been discovered that when a frozen four-carbon mixture (BB) containing about 36% 1,3-butadiene (BD) is initially frozen, the first frozen fraction of up to about 30% of the mixture is enriched about 80% over the feed sample while the filtrate is decreased in BD about 36%. A second fractional crystallization of the melt and of the filtrate shows continued enrichment and impoverishment as to BD content, respectively. It has also been discovered that when a solidly frozen BB mixture is slowly thawed and the melt is progressively removed, the melt becomes markedly enriched in BD. A continuous fractional crystallization process that uses these discoveries for producing BD at purities greater than 99% is described.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for separating 1,3-butadiene from a C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon mixture which contains C.sub.4 -alkyne components.In one embodiment, the invention involves a first step hydrogenation procedure for selectively hydrogenating the C.sub.4 -alkyne components, and a second step extractive distillation procedure for separating out a 1,3-butadiene rich selective solvent extract phase.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for improving the recovery of byproducts associated with the isolation of C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 dicarboxylic acids contained in a waste byproduct stream, derived from an adipic acid manufacturing operation wherein there is involved nitric acid oxidation of a cyclohexanone/cyclohexanol feedstream.The main byproducts which are isolated are high purity dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate and dimethyl adipate. Monomethyl esters of these dicarboxylic acids are recovered and recycled in the process.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the production of cyclic hydrocarbons from light olefinic hydrocarbons which involves contacting n-octene feed with a Group VIII metal oxide catalyst in the presence of molecular oxygen at temperatures of 130.degree.-500.degree. C. and a pressure of 1-200 psi to yield vinylcyclohexene and ethylbenzene.The invention further provides a two step vapor phase process embodiment for converting n-octene feed to styrene via a vinylcyclohexene/ethylbenzene intermediate mixture. When nitrobenzene is employed as the oxidizing agent in place of molecular oxygen, aniline is obtained as an additional product.

Abstract: This invention provides a three-step process for converting n-butene into high purity 1,3-butadiene, via a vinylcyclohexene intermediate.In the first step of the process, n-butene and molecular oxygen are contacted with a Group VIII metal oxide catalyst. If nitrobenzene is employed as the oxidizing agent in place of molecular oxygen then aniline is produced as a secondary product of the process.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the production of cyclic hydrocarbons for light olefinic hydrocarbons which involves contacting n-butenes with a Group VIII metal oxide catalyst in the presence of molecular oxygen at temperatures of 130.degree.-500.degree. C. and a pressure of 1-200 psi to yield vinylcyclohexene and ethylbenzene with a selectivity of at least 80 weight percent.The invention further provides a two step vapor phase process embodiment for converting n-butenes to styrene via a vinylcyclohexene/ethylbenzene intermediate mixture. When nitrobenzene is employed as the oxidizing agent in place of molecular oxygen, aniline is obtained as an additional product.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing tertiary-butyl methyl ether which involves contacting a mixture of isobutylene and synthesis gas with a catalyst under modified methanol synthesis processing conditions.

Abstract: The known compound 2-hydroxy-3-methyl cyclopent-2-ene-1-one, used as a flavor imparting agent and commonly called maple lactone, is synthesized by a modified acyloin condensation of esters of 2-methyl glutaric acid in which oxygen is introduced in a specific manner to the reaction system.