Abstract: In a regulated process wherein propylene is reacted with tertiary butyl hydroperoxide in solution in tertiary butyl alcohol to produce propylene oxide and tertiary butyl alcohol in a reactor system comprising a first isothermal segment comprising a plurality of at least four sequentially interconnected internally cooled reactors, and a second adiabatic segment,an initial feed mixture is continuously charged to the first reactor, comprising propylene and a recycle stream composed of about 25 to about 75 wt.

Abstract: An impure methyl tertiary butyl ether product contaminated with isobutylene, methanol and water is purified by continuous counter-current contact with water and isobutylene in a counter-current contact extraction tower to provide an overhead extract comprising isobutylene, methyl tertiary butyl ether and water and a raffinate comprising methanol, water and a minor amount of methyl tertiary butyl ether, the overhead raffinate being separated in a methyl tertiary butyl ether purification distillation zone into a lighter distillation fraction comprising isobutylene and water and a heavier distillation fraction consisting essentially of methyl tertiary butyl ether, the lighter distillation fraction being decanted to remove water and to provide a distillate isobutylene fraction that is charged to a surge drum from which isobutylene is returned to the contact tower.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for preparing alkyl tertiary alkyl ethers, especially methyl t-butyl ether, in one step which comprises reacting tertiary butanol and methanol in the presence of a catalyst comprising .beta.-zeolite modified with one or more metals selected from Group VIII of the Periodic Table, and optionally further modified with a halogen or a Group IB metal, with an alumina binder, at a temperature of about 20.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. and atmospheric pressure to about 1000 psig, wherein when the temperature is in the operating range above about 140.degree. C., the product comprises a two-phase mix of an MTBE-isobutylene and, optionally, diisobutylene product-rich phase and a heavier aqueous ethanol-rich phase.

Abstract: A method for preparing tertiary butyl alcohol wherein a feedstock comprising a solvent solution of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide in tertiary butyl alcohol or a mixture of tertiary butyl alcohol with isobutane is charged to a hydroperoxide decomposition reaction zone containing a catalytically effective amount of a hydroperoxide decomposition catalyst consisting essentially of alumina having chromium deposited thereon and is brought into contact with the catalyst in liquid phase under hydroperoxide decomposition reaction conditions to convert the tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to decomposition products, principally tertiary butyl alcohol.

Abstract: A method for preparing tertiary butyl alcohol wherein a feedstock comprising a solvent solution of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide in tertiary butyl alcohol or a mixture of tertiary butyl alcohol with isobutane is charged to a hydroperoxide decomposition reaction zone containing a catalytically effective amount of a hydroperoxide decomposition catalyst consisting essentially of alumina having palladium and platinum deposited thereon and is brought into contact with the catalyst in liquid phase under hydroperoxide decomposition reaction conditions to convert the tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to decomposition products, principally tertiary butyl alcohol.

Abstract: Crude propylene oxide is purified by a distillation process wherein it is (a) extractively distilled in a first column using a C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 alkylene glycol extractive distillation agent to form a first overhead fraction comprising propylene oxide, C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 hydrocarbons, methanol, water and oxygen-containing impurities, (b) wherein the first overhead fraction is separated in a plurality of intermediate distillation columns to provide an intermediate propylene oxide overhead fraction consisting essentially of propylene oxide and water, and (c) the intermediate propylene oxide overhead fraction is charged to a final distillation column using a C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 alkylene glycol extractive distillation agent to form a final overhead fraction consisting essentially of propylene oxide.

Abstract: Contaminants are removed from impure propylene oxide by fractionating in a first column to remove overhead essentially all of the pentenes and pentanes and most of the oxygen-containing impurities to provide a partially purified first propylene oxide bottoms fraction, extractively distilling the first bottoms fraction in a second extractive column using a C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 alkylene glycol extractive distillation agent to form a second overhead fraction comprising propylene oxide, hexenes, hexanes, water, residual quantities of pentenes and pentanes and oxygen-containing impurities, extractively distilling the second overhead fraction in a third column using a C.sub.6 to C.sub.10 alkane hydrocarbon extractive distillation agent to form a third bottoms fraction comprising the extractive distillation agent, propylene oxide, hexenes, hexanes, residual quantities of pentenes and pentanes and water, and extractively distilling said third bottoms fraction in a fourth column using a C.sub.6 to C.sub.

Abstract: A method for preparing tertiary butyl alcohol wherein a feedstock comprising a solvent solution of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide in tertiary butyl alcohol or a mixture of tertiary butyl alcohol with isobutane is charged to a hydroperoxide decomposition reaction zone containing a catalytically effective amount of a hydroperoxide decomposition catalyst consisting essentially of alumina or carbon having rhodium deposited thereon and is brought into contact with the catalyst in liquid phase under hydroperoxide decomposition reaction conditions to convert the tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to decomposition products, principally tertiary butyl alcohol.

Abstract: A method for preparing tertiary butyl alcohol wherein a feedstock comprising a solvent solution of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide in tertiary butyl alcohol or a mixture of tertiary butyl alcohol with isobutane is charged to a hydroperoxide decomposition reaction zone containing a catalytically effective amount of a hydroperoxide decomposition catalyst consisting essentially of lead oxide supported on alumina and is brought into contact with the catalyst in liquid phase with agitation under hydroperoxide decomposition reaction conditions to convert the tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to decomposition products, principally tertiary butyl alcohol.

Abstract: An isobutylene feed mixture comprising MTBE, isobutylene and methanol is passed through an isobutylene conversion zone to form an isobutylene conversion product comprising unreacted methanol, unreacted isobutylene, dimethyl ether, MTBE and water, then charged to a countercurrent methanol extraction zone and contacting with water to provide an overhead raffinate comprising isobutylene, MTBE and water, and an extract comprising methanol, water, MTBE, isobutylene and dimethyl ether;the extract is distilled to provide a vaporized overhead fraction comprising MTBE, isobutylene, methanol, and dimethyl ether;the vaporized overhead fraction is partially condensed and from about 5 to 10 wt. % of the mixed phase condensate is vented to thereby provide a liquid condensate that is substantially free from dissolved dimethyl ether, and the condensate is recycled to the methanol extraction zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the amination of polyols to form primary amines which comprises reacting a polyoxyalkylene alcohol or polyol having a molecular weight of from about 230 to 5000 and ammonia in the presence of hydrogen over a catalyst consisting essentially of 10 to 35 wt % nickel, 1 to 20 wt % copper and 0.1 to 2.0 wt % optionally chromium or molybdenum promoter impregnated onto a .theta.-alumina support at a temperature of 100.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. and a pressure of 1000 psig to 3000 psig wherein the .theta.-alumina support results from calcining .gamma.-alumina or pseudo-boehmite for 2-4 hours at 900.degree.-1100.degree. C.

Abstract: In reacting tertiary butyl hydroperoxide in solution in tertiary butyl alcohol with propylene to produce propylene oxide and tertiary butyl alcohol in a reactor system comprising a first isothermal segment and a second adiabatic segment about 60 to 80 wt % of the tertiary butyl hydroperoxide is converted in the isothermal segment to provide an intermediate reaction mixture, a recycle stream comprising about 25 to 100 wt. % of the combined weight of the propylene and the tertiary butyl alcohol solution is removed from the intermediate reaction mixture and recycled to the first isothermal segment and the remainder of the intermediate reaction mixture is passed through the adiabatic segment where an additional 20 to 40 wt. % of the tertiary butyl hydroperoxide is converted.

Abstract: It has been discovered that relatively large cyclic and open chain carbonates are extremely efficient in the selective extraction of metal ions, such as gold, silver, platinum and mercury from aqueous solution without the need for a potentially hazardous, organic solvent or use of a corrosive salt, such as NaCl. For example, 1,2-decane carbonate extracted >99.9% mercury, 99.76% gold, 97.5% silver and 79.0% platinum. The homologous 1,2-dodecane carbonate was found to extract 99.9% gold and silver from aqueous solution and 95.8% platinum. Didecyl carbonate extracted 77% gold from aqueous solution. The method of this invention is simpler than prior techniques and eliminates the need for potentially hazardous solvents (toxic, flammable and environmentally unfavorable) and corrosive additives, such as salt, NaCl, used as a salting agent in prior methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparation of monoalkyl ethers by reacting low molecular weight olefins and the corresponding oxiranes, in the presence of a catalyst comprising an acidic heterogeneous or homogeneous catalyst, generally represented by the equation: ##STR1## where R, R', R" may be hydrogen or an alkyl radical.

Abstract: The removal of basic alkaline earth metal catalysts from alcohol alkoxylate product streams using acid days wetted with water is described. The catalyst level may be reduced to 1 ppm or less in many instances. Effective acid days include, but are not limited to silica days, silica magnesia clays, alumina, montmorillonite days, mixtures thereof and the like. Contacting of the day with the alcohol alkoxylate may take place at ambient to 120.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for preparing "twin-tailed" tertiary amines which have two moles of alkoxylated phenol bonded to each nitrogen function of a molecule of methylamine and represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein x represents zero to about 30 which comprises alkylating a mole of methylamine with two moles of alkoxylated alkylphenol over a catalyst comprising:5 to 70% nickel;1 to 20% copper;0.1 to 10% chromium; and0.1 to 10% molybdenum on an alumina support.

Abstract: A method for conjointly preparing tertiary butyl alcohol and ditertiary butyl peroxide wherein a solution of a tertiary butyl hydroperoxide feedstock in tertiary butyl alcohol is charged to a hydroperoxide decomposition reaction zone containing a catalytically effective amount of a hydroperoxide decomposition catalyst consisting essentially of palladium supported on pelleted carbon, and is brought into contact with the catalyst in liquid phase under hydroperoxide decomposition reaction conditions to convert the tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to decomposition products, principally tertiary butyl alcohol and ditertiary butyl peroxide.

Abstract: Described are carboxyl-terminated polyetheramides of the formula: ##STR1## where R is a moiety from an alcohol or hydroxy compound having a valence of k; R' is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R" is independently a straight or branched alkylene or aromatic moiety averaging from about 2 to 36 carbon atoms; x averages from about 2 to 100; z averages from about 20 to about 250; k averages from about 1 to 3; m is 0 or 1; and p is independently 5 to 11. Because the carboxyl-terminated polyetheramides are all carboxyl-terminated, they do not gel. They are expected to have good impact strength as well as differing solubilities depending on the polyetheramine incorporated.

Abstract: An extractive distillation agent consisting essentially of a mixture of triethylene glycol with a lower boiling cosolvent selected from the group consisting of 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, tertiary butyl alcohol and ethylene glycol is fed to an extractive distillation column used for the distillation of propylene oxide contaminated with water, acetone and methanol to obtain an overhead distillate fraction consisting of essentially anhydrous propylene oxide contaminated with reduced quantities of acetone and methanol, and a heavier bottoms distillation fraction containing substantially all of the extractive distillation agent, water and acetone and some of the methanol introduced into the distillation column.

Abstract: Synthetic lubricant base stocks having improved properties are disclosed. The base stocks may be obtained by a two-step process, comprising the steps of (1) co-reacting vinylcyclohexene and long-chain linear olefin with a free-radical initiator; and (2) further reacting the mixture resulting from step (1) in the presence of an acidic montmorillonite clay.