Abstract: Benzoic acid is produced from process residues resulting from the liquid phase air oxidation of toluene by a process in which(a) a benzyl benzoate-rich fraction is separated from the spent catalyst and high-boiling reaction by-products in the process residue;(b) the benzyl benzoate-rich fraction is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of an oxidation catalyst at 130.degree.-200.degree. C./1-10 atmospheres until 25% to 60% of the benzyl benzoate has been oxidized to benzoic acid, and(c) benzoic acid is recovered from the oxidation product mixture.

Abstract: Vinyl chloride is removed from an aqueous dispersion that contains 5%-50% by weight of a vinyl chloride resin and 1000-15,000 ppm of vinyl chloride by a process in which the aqueous dispersion is contacted first with steam and vinyl acetate to remove at least 90% of the vinyl chloride from it and then, after a short conditioning period, with steam to reduce its monomer content to less than 10 ppm.