Abstract: A catalyst system suitable for the isomerization of a xylene and conversion of ethylbenzene in a feed containing xylene and ethylbenzene comprising a first catalyst having activity for the conversion of ethylbenzene, a second catalyst having hydrogenation activity and a third catalyst having activity for the isomerization of a xylene where the second catalyst is located in the system between the first and third catalysts relative to a flow of feed material through the catalyst system.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids from primary aliphatic alcohols having 2 to 6 carbon atoms wherein the reaction is in semi-continuous or continuous mode. Acetic acid is prepared from ethanol in high conversion, selectivity and yield. Acetic acid is useful as a solvent for the manufacture of terephthalic acid and other organic compounds.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the co-production of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids and polycarboxylic aromatic acids in high selectivity, conversion and yield. The aliphatic monocarboxylic acid can serve as a component of the solvent for the process.

Abstract: A method for the continuous, catalytic production of an aromatic carboxylic acid product by liquid-phase, exothermic oxidaion of an aromatic alkyl with an oxygen-containing gas and a solvent medium in an oxidation reactor and utilizing reverse osmosis is disclosed. In particular, a multiple ingredient or component-containing slurry product stream is withdrawn from the reactor, the slurry product stream is then separated to produce a product-containing stream and at least one mother liquor stream which contains, in addition to a number of desirable process stream components, such as oxidation reaction catalysts, a number of undesirable process stream impurities. The impurities are selectively removed from the mother liquor stream by passing at least a portion of the mother liquor stream through a reverse osmosis separation device to produce a catalyst-bearing stream having a relatively lesser impurities-to-catalyst weight ratio and a purge stream having a relatively greater impurities-to-catalyst weight ratio.