Abstract: Excess terephthalic acid or isophthalic acid is reacted with a phosgene/DMF complex nearly to completion in one or more stages to form terephthaloyl chloride or isophthaloyl chloride; in another stage, by-product formylbenzoyl chloride is oxidized and terephthaloyl chloride or isophthaloyl chloride containing less than 100 ppm of formylbenzoyl chloride and/or dichlorotoluoylchloride is recovered.

Abstract: A process for preparing 2-chloroterephthaloyl chloride which comprises reacting terephthaloyl chloride with chlorine in the presence of an anhydrous ring chlorination catalyst. When the reaction mixture contains the desired amount of the monochloro product, the mixture is cooled to room temperature and the 2-chloroterephthaloyl chloride is isolated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the hydrogenation of halogenated aromatic nitro compounds to the corresponding halogenated amines using a platinum catalyst in the presence of certain aminoalkyl ethers or alkanolamines. It relates in addition to halogenated aromatic amines containing an amount of such aminoalkyl ether or alkanolamine effective to stabilize said halogenated aromatic amine. The storage stabilizers and dehalogenation inhibitors contain a total of 2 to 6 carbon atoms and can be represented by the formula:R.sup.1 --(R.sup.2)--N--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--R.sup.3wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different --H or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, n is an integer from 2 to 3, and R.sup.3 is either --H or --CH.sub.3.

Abstract: An iron-modified, platinum hydrogenation catalyst useful for the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds is provided. The catalyst, having improved distribution of the metallic components on an oleophilic carbon support as shown by ESCA analysis, is prepared by depositing a platinum compound (oxide, hydroxide or carbonate) on the carbon support at a temperature in the range of 55.degree.-95.degree. C., preferably 90.degree.-95.degree. C., and then reducing the compound to platinum metal, preferably with formaldehyde, at a temperature less than about 35.degree. C. The iron in the catalyst is present and deposited as its oxide or hydroxide either at the same temperature as the platinum compound or at a temperature less than about 35.degree. C. Using such a catalyst to reduce halogen-substituted nitro aromatic compounds to the corresponding amines results in low dehalogenation, low tar formation and hydroxylamine accumulation. For nonhalogenated nitro aromatic reductions, the catalyst minimizes ring reduction.