Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved process for producing ethyl acetate comprising contacting acetic acid and ethanol in a reaction zone in the presence of an acid catalyst, distilling formed vapors and condensing to form an organic phase rich in ethyl acetate and an aqueous phase rich in water, separating the phases and further distilling each phase to obtain a final purified ethyl acetate product and a water stream low in organic components, the improvement comprising directing the organic phase from the first distillation to the reaction zone. An alternate embodiment involves directing at least a portion of the organic phase from the first distillation to a membrane separation unit which removes water and/or alcohol from the organic phase rich in ethyl acetate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the simultaneous coproduction of ethyl acetate and isopropyl acetate. The esterification reaction comprises contacting acetic acid with a mixed alcohol stream of ethanol and isopropanol. Exemplified is a purified, Fischer Tropsch derived mixture of ethanol and isopropanol. The esterification reaction occurs in the presence of an acidic catalyst in a liquid phase reaction system. The resultant crude reaction step product is separated and purified by distillation to produce acetate ester products having greater than 99.5 wt % purity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the simultaneous coproduction of ethyl acetate and isopropyl acetate. The esterification reaction comprises contacting acetic acid with a mixed alcohol stream of ethanol and isopropanol. Exemplified is a purified, Fischer Tropsch derived mixture of ethanol and isopropanol. The esterification reaction occurs in the presence of an acidic catalyst in a liquid phase reaction system. The resultant crude reaction step product is separated and purified by distillation to produce acetate ester products having greater than 99.5 wt % purity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of t-butyl acetate and coproduction of methyl acetate or ethyl acetate, directly from MTBE or ETBE, by contacting a mixture of acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and MTBE, or alternatively, ETBE, with an acid catalyst. Unlike the art, disclosed is a route employing a tert-butyl ether as starting material for the desired production or coproduction of tert-butyl acetate. Also unlike the art, acetic anhydride is employed to react with the water of formation from the esterification reaction to control formation of t-butyl alcohol.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved process for producing ethyl acetate comprising contacting acetic acid and ethanol in a reaction zone in the presence of an acid catalyst, distilling formed vapors and condensing to form an organic phase rich in ethyl acetate and an aqueous phase rich in water, separating the phases and further distilling each phase to obtain a final purified ethyl acetate product and a water stream low in organic components, the improvement comprising directing the organic phase from the first distillation to the reaction zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of t-butyl acetate and coproduction of methyl acetate or ethyl acetate, directly from MTBE or ETBE, by contacting a mixture of acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and MTBE, or alternatively, ETBE, with an acid catalyst. Unlike the art, disclosed is a route employing a tert-butyl ether as starting material for the desired production or coproduction of tert-butyl acetate. Also unlike the art, acetic anhydride is employed to react with the water of formation from the esterification reaction to control formation of t-butyl alcohol.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) from an aqueous mixture of MEK and ethanol comprising extracting the MEK from the mixture using an extractive solvent selected from the group consisting of isopentane, the o-, m-, m-isomers of xylene, and mixed xylenes. Preferably the extractive solvent is separated from the MFK in the extract by fractional distillation and recycled to the extraction step.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel highly branched macromolecule polymers that have highly controlled molecular architectures, and having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.4, R.sub.5, and R.sub.6 are defined herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel one-step process for preparing substituted aryls which can be used as end-capping monomers for preparing highly branched macromolecule polymers that have highly controlled molecular architectures. The process comprises the steps of (a) reacting an aromatic acid with an activating carbodiimide for a sufficient period of time and under suitable conditions of temperature and pressure to form an activated aromatic intermediate, and (b) reacting said intermediate with a suitable nucleophile for a sufficient period of time and under suitable conditions of temperature and pressure to form said substituted aryl compound.