Abstract: A method of continuously distilling off the components of a mixture containing phenols, water and methanol using a single distillation column, wherein methanol is recovered from the top of the column, water containing phenols is dragged as a side stream from a recovery section of the column, and phenols are recovered as a bottom product. The method permits efficient separation by the single distillation column of the three components with high purity and low utility energy.

Abstract: A process for preparing p-cumylphenol which comprises reacting phenol and .alpha.-methylstyrene in the presence of an inorganic solid acid catalyst having an acid point of an acid strength Ho of up to -3, for example, activated clay and recovering the aimed p-cumylphenol from the reaction mixture thus obtained by distilling the same while introducing an inert gas such as nitrogen and/or steam into the distillation system is disclosed. The p-cumylphenol thus obtained has a high purity and an improved color compared with those obtained by conventional methods.

Abstract: From an acrylonitrile-dimerization liquid product prepared by contacting acrylonitrile with a specific catalyst composed of a metal halide and a trialkylamine, 2-methyleneglutaronitrile is efficiently recovered by a process which comprises contacting the reaction liquid product under stirring with benzene, toluene or xylene as well as with water in specific ratios, and then separating the resulting aromatic hydrocarbon layer from the mixture to recover 2-methyleneglutaronitrile.