Abstract: A process for preparing o-benzylphenol in high selectivity is disclosed. The process comprises heating a mixture of benzyl alcohol and phenol in the presence of an effective amount of activated alumina as a catalyst.

Abstract: Alkyl alcohols are separated from alkyldimethylamines using an immiscible solvent mixture comprising a polar solvent (e.g. dimethylformamide) and a nonpolar solvent (e.g. hexane). The process is particularly useful for C.sub.12-14 alcohols and C.sub.12-14 alkyldimethylamines.

Abstract: A method of preparing methyl-substituted phenols is disclosed. The method comprises heating a mixture of mono- or di-hydrocarbyl-substituted cresols and methanol at an elevated temperature in the presence of a catalytic amount of magnesium oxide.

Abstract: An improved method of preparing an aldehyde by passing alcohol and air through a reactor containing a silver catalyst is disclosed. Briefly, the improvment comprises passing the alcohol and air through a zone, packed with silver catalyst, maintained at subreaction temperature prior to passing the reactants through the reaction zone. In a preferred embodiment, the reactants, after leaving the reaction zone, are passed through a zone containing inert material and maintained at a subreaction temperature.

Abstract: A method for removing a vinyl halide, e.g. vinyl chloride, from a polyvinyl halide-containing slurry is disclosed. Briefly, the method comprises counter-currently contacting the slurry with hot water.

Abstract: Alkyl substituted 1,3-dimethylbenzenes are prepared by reacting a mixture of acetone and 1-alkanols over a catalyst, which preferably is alumina, at elevated temperatures and pressures. Preferably, the product contains substantial amounts of penta- and hexaalkylbenzenes.

Abstract: A process for preparing sodium Zeolite A is disclosed. The process comprises:(a) treating an aluminum alkoxide with water in the presence of a reactive silica compound to form an amorphous sodium aluminum silicate gel in the admixture,(b) heating the admixture-containing gel of step (a) at a predetermined temperature (e.g. 70.degree. to 120.degree. C.) until substantially all of the product is Zeolite A, and(c) recovering the desired product.

Abstract: Cresols and xylenols are prepared by reacting a mixture of tetramethylphenols and pentamethylphenol with phenol in the liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing high mole secondary alkanol alkoxylates by the reaction of low mole secondary alkanol alkoxylates with an alkylene oxide in the presence of caustic is disclosed. The improvement comprises use of a hydrogen-treated low mole secondary alkanol alkoxylate.

Abstract: A method for decomposing halogenated organic compounds which comprises: (a) preheating the halogenated organic compound to a temperature above about 300.degree. C. and (b) contacting the preheated organic compound with a platinum catalyst in the presence of an oxidizing agent at a temperature of at least 350.degree. C. The process converts the major part of the halide in the organic halide to hydrogen halide.

Abstract: A method for decomposing halogenated organic compounds which comprises: (a) preheating the halogenated organic compound to a temperature above about 300.degree. C. and (b) contacting the preheated organic compound with a catalytic amount of ruthenium in the presence of an oxidizing agent at a temperature of at least about 350.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for decomposing halogenated organic compounds which comprises: (a) heating the halogenated organic compound to a temperature above about 300.degree. C. and (b) contacting the heated organic compound with a catalytic amount of ruthenium-platinum catalyst in the presence of an oxidizing agent at a temperature of at least about 350.degree. C.

Abstract: .beta.-diketones having two ketone groups bonded to a common carbon atom which is bonded to at least one hydrogen atom, such as 2,4-pentanedione, are reacted with vinyl chloride to form telomers.

Abstract: A method for sealing a permeable subterranean formation, particularly adjacent to a wellbore, is disclosed. Briefly, the method comprises;A. adding a liquid polymerizable material (e.g. furfuryl alcohol) to the wellbore at the site adjacent to the permeable subterranean formation,B. adding an acidic catalyst to the wellbore at the site defined in (a),C. allowing polymerization to occur both in the wellbore and in the adjacent subterranean formation, andD. removing the polymerized material from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for recovering ethane and ethylene from a gaseous mixture is disclosed. The method comprises: (1) contacting said gaseous mixture with a solvent to provide ethane- and ethylene-enriched solvent and (2) recovering from said enriched solvent said ethane and ethylene. The solvent used in the method is cyclohexane, cyclohexene, 1-chlorobutane, or 1,1,1-trichloroethane. The method is applicable also to recovering ethane and ethylene from methane containing these materials.

Abstract: Novel compounds, which are useful as additives in lubricating oils, are disclosed. The novel compounds are represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkenyl group containing 10 to 100 carbon atoms; R' is an alkylene group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms; n is an integer of 1 to 4; X is selected from the group consisting of NH.sub.2, NR"R", NHR", and OR"; and Y is selected from the group consisting of NR"R", NHR", OR", and halogen, wherein R" is alkyl, phenyl, alkyl-substituted phenyl, or alkylene polyamino. A process for preparing the novel compounds is disclosed, also.

Abstract: An improvement in the method of preparing vinyl halide-containing polymers by suspension polymerization is disclosed. Briefly, the improvement comprises "tail-peaking" the reaction mass prior to stripping in order to remove vinyl halide. By "tail-peaking" is meant increasing the temperature of polymerization towards the latter part of the polymerization reaction. In one aspect the improvement comprises the additional feature of conducting the polymerization in the presence of a plasticizer.

Abstract: Prehnitenol (2,3,4,5-tetramethylphenol) is prepared by reacting pentamethylphenol with phenol in the liquid phase using a catalyst selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, magnesium oxide and calcium oxide.

Abstract: An improvement in the process for removing vinyl chloride from a water-polyvinyl chloride slurry, which contains unreacted vinyl chloride, by steam distillation is disclosed. In many instances, steam distillation of the slurry results in an increase in the number of gels or fish eyes. The improvement comprises conducting the steam distillation in the presence of a minor, but effective, amount of an alkali metal sulfite or carbonate. The improved process results in a polyvinyl chloride having no substantial increase in, or a reduced amount of, gels or fish eyes, while still having good heat stability and porosity properties.

Abstract: A process for removing HF (hydrogen fluoride) from the sludge resulting from the HF treatment of a hydrocarbon is disclosed. The process comprises concurrently treating the sludge with aqueous caustic and a liquid aromatic hydrocarbon.