Abstract: Acetic acid of 95 to 100 weight percent strength containing ionic and coordinate bromide impurities can be purified to a bromine content of less than 3 ppm by the sequence of steps comprising catalytic hydrogenating said acetic acid, treating the hydrogenated acetic acid with a solid absorbant and separating acetic acid therefrom.

Abstract: A butene may be oxidized in the vapor phase at elevated temperatures to produce acetic acid by reacting the butene with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a composition of the empirical formula:V.sub.f Sb.sub.g X.sub.h Me.sub.i O.sub.Jwherein V is vanadium, Sb is antimony, and O is oxygen, wherein X represents a metal which is one or more of Bi, Nb, Co, Nd, Sm, Zn, Zr or Cr, and wherein Me represents a metal which is one or more of Al, Fe or Sn, the metal represented by Me being optionally present.

Abstract: The present invention provides an unsupported catalyst with superior crush strength for use in a vapor phase reaction for the high yield conversion of lower aliphatic hydrocarbons such as n-butane to corresponding monocarboxylic acids used as acetic acid. The catalyst is prepared by the reduction of a vanadium oxide containing chromium catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly efficient process for use in the high pressure catalytic vapor phase reaction for the high yield conversion of lower aliphatic hydrocarbons such as n-butane to corresponding monocarboxylic acids such as acetic acid. The oxidation reaction takes place under hydrocarbon rich conditions. The increased efficiency in this process is realized by the judicious use of steam and the catalyst systems set forth in the instant invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vapor phase process for high yield conversion of C.sub.4 -hydrocarbons to maleic acid and acetic acid with a heteropolymolybdic acid catalyst.

Abstract: A process for converting butane to acetic acid wherein a mixture containing butane, molecular oxygen, acetic acid and cobaltic ions is continuously passed through a reaction zone under elevated temperatures and elevated pressures while maintaining therein a partial pressure of molecular oxygen of about 0.6 to about 15 pounds per square inch (0.04 to about 1.1 kilograms per square centimeter).

Abstract: In a process for the production of oxygenated organic compounds including a substantial proportion of acetic acid by oxidizing a C.sub.3 to C.sub.7 saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon in the liquid phase with molecular oxygen in the presence of an inert reaction medium and a cobalt catalyst, between 5 and 90% in a continuous reaction and 11 and 90% in a batch reaction of the cobalt being introduced in the +3 oxidation state, the improvement comprising separating the catalyst solution fraction from the fraction comprising oxygen-containing compounds and water by distillation while limiting the residence time of the catalyst solution fraction in the distillation zone so that it is the minimum consistent with substantially complete separation of the fractions thereby minimizing the reduction of Co.sup.+3 to Co.sup.+2.

Abstract: A process for the liquid phase oxidation of hydrocarbons with a molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a dissolved cobalt salt catalyst characterized in that the oxidation is carried out in the substantial absence of chromium in the reaction medium i.e. a concentration of chromium in the liquid phase of not greater than 400 ppm.

Abstract: A vapor phase process is provided for high conversion of C.sub.4 -hydrocarbons to acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst comprising a calcined coprecipitate of a molybdenum compound and one or more compounds of metal elements selected from titanium, zirconium, tin, hafnium, niobium and tantalum.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of the subject aqueous solution from a non-bromine manganous salt. More specifically this invention pertains to a critical order of dissolving such salt and elemental bromine and to the use of an anti-oxidant for the manganous ion to prevent its conversion to hydrated manganous dioxide: MnO(OH).sub.2. According to "A Comprehensive Treatise On Inorganic And Theoretical Chemistry", J. W. Mellor, Vol. XII at pages 189 and 259 (published by Longmans, Green and Co., 1947) hydrated manganous dioxide results from the oxidation of a solution of manganous salt with chlorine, bromine, hypochlorous acid, hydrogen peroxide, etc. Such oxidation of a solution of manganous acetate was specifically mentioned. Such hydrated manganous dioxide is described as a white solid product which upon standing in contact with air becomes a dark brown to black product identified as MnO.sub.2.

Abstract: Oxidizing butane to acetic acid which comprises contacting a sufficient concentration of an oxygen-containing gas with normal butane in the presence of catalyst consisting essentially of bromine and cobalt to initiate a self-sustaining exothermic reaction.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a deactivated oxidation catalyst, especially one containing vanadium oxide, wherein the deactivated catalyst is treated with an aqueous solution of ammonia and/or an amine at an elevated temperature so as to dissolve at least a portion of the catalyst and the resultant solution or suspension is treated in a known manner to obtain the reactivated catalyst.