Abstract: A method is provided for removing trace amounts of organic chlorides from feedstocks by passing the feedstock in contact with a guard bed catalyst comprising shaped particles formed by extruding a mixture of magnesium oxide and a binder inert to the feedstock. The process has particular importance in removing organic chlorides from toluene feedstocks prior to contacting toluene with a disproportionation or alkylation catalyst comprising magnesium-ZSM-5.

Abstract: A process for purifying 1,2-butylene oxide which comprises extractive distillation of crude butylene oxide with an added solvent comprising an acyclic, paraffinic hydrocarbon having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for recovering 2-phenylethanol which is produced as a by-product of non-catalytic air oxidation of ethylbenzene, and as a by-product, in the ethylbenzene hydroperoxide epoxidation of an olefinically unsaturated compound, e.g., propylene, to the corresponding alkylene oxide, e.g., propylene oxide. In such processes, 2-phenylethanol accumulates in a process stream typically comprising major proportions of methylbenzyl alcohol, ethylbenzene, alkylene oxide and acetophenone. Conventional distillation-separation procedures may remove most of the alkylene oxide and ethylbenzene, leaving a process stream which is eventually used for styrene monomer production which contains minor amounts, i.e., less than about 20 weight percent, of 2-phenylethanol.