Abstract: Aqueous sodium dithionite slurries or suspensions, which are nonsettling during shipment thereof and are thereafter pumpable after storage at 32.degree.-40.degree. F. for at least fourteen days, comprise, on a weight basis, about 34% of sodium dithionite, about 0.17% of a xanthan gum, 5.5-6.5% of 50% sodium hydroxide, about 0.26% of a chelate, and about 1.96% of sodium tripolyphosphate which is added after adding the sodium dithionite. Preferably, the sodium tripolyphosphate is added last in making the slurry which is used as a woodpulp bleaching composition.

Abstract: Guar and xanthan gums are used as additives to sodium dithionite aqueous solutions for enhancing the stability of such solutions when in contact with air and used for vat dyeing of textiles and bleaching. The gums are added at levels of 0.1-0.2% by wt. and preferably at 0.15% by wt. of the solution. The stability of these polymeric-containing bleaching solutions is enhanced by more than 100-200%.

Abstract: Aqueous sodium dithionite slurries, which are non-settling during shipment thereof and are thereafter pumpable, and a method for their manufacture are provided. The slurries contain at least 25% by weight of crystalline pure sodium dithionite and at least about 0.13% by weight of a xanthan gum. As textile bleaching compositions, the slurries comprise, on a weight basis, at least about 36% of commercial sodium dithionite, at least about 3% of sodium hydroxide, at least about 0.25% of a chelate, and at least about 0.25% of a xanthan gum. As woodpulp bleaching compositions, the slurries comprise, on a weight basis, about 28% of commercial sodium dithionite, at least about 2% of sodium carbonate, at least about 2% of sodium tripolyphosphate, and at least about 0.13% of a xanthan gum.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of 2,6-dihydroisopropylnaphthalene, dihydroperoxide involving the oxidation of 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene in the presence of a catalyst wherein the improvement comprises carrying out said oxidation in the presence of a C.sub.5 -C.sub.14 aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: The catalytic hydrogenation of phenol obtained by the cumene hydroperoxide process is improved by hydrogenating high purity phenol containing not more than 75 ppm of acetol, an impurity found in phenol prepared from cumene. Acetol-free phenol is obtained by treating phenol for 1-5 minutes with a polyamine such as hexamethylene diamine, hexamethylene triamine and the like or an aqueous solution thereof, and then distilling the mixture to separate the components. Alternatively, the hydrogenability of phenol can be improved by injecting the polyamine into the reaction mixture during hydrogenation.