Abstract: The selective formation of 2-acetonaphthalene is achieved by acetylating naphthalene in the presence of liquid hydrogen fluoride. The 2-acetonaphthalene can be separated from the formed 1-acetonaphthalene isomer by successive hydrogenation of the isomer mixture and dehydration. The hydrogenation is selective to the 2-isomer while the 1-acetonaphthalene remains unreacted. Upon completion, 2-vinylnaphthalene can be distilled off from the unreacted 1-acetonaphthalene.

Abstract: N-acetyl-para-aminophenol is prepared by contacting 4-hydroxyacetophenone oxime with a Beckmann rearrangement catalyst in an alkyl alkanoate reaction solvent. An integrated process is disclosed wherein 4-hydroxyacetophenone is reacted with a hydroxylamine salt and a base to obtain 4-hydroxyacetophenone oxime, the oxime product is extracted from the resulting reaction mixture with a substantially water-immiscible solvent, and the mixture of oxime and substantially water-immiscible solvent is contacted with a Beckmann rearrangement catalyst to produce N-acetyl-para-aminophenol. Novel Beckamnn rearrangement catalysts are used to limit by-product formation in the ester solvent.

Abstract: A method for producing 4-acetoxystyrene by heating 4-acetoxyphenylmethylcarbinol, with an acid catalyst, at a temperature of from about 85.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. under a pressure of from about 0.1 mm HgA to about 760 mm HgA for from about 0.2 minutes to about 10 minutes. The process also provides for the solventless (neat) hydrogenation of 4-acetoxyacetophenone to produce 4-acetoxyphenylmethylcarbinol. The reaction proceeds by heating at 54.degree. C. to 120.degree. C. with an excess of hydrogen in the presence of a Pd/C or activated nickel such as Raney Nickel catalyst in the absence of a solvent. The 4-acetoxyphenylmethylcarbinol may then be dehydrated to 4-acetoxystyrene. The later may be polymerized to poly(4-acetoxystyrene) and hydrolyzed to poly(4-hydroxystyrene).

Abstract: Black acid or the sulfuric acid residue obtained in the manufacture of ethyl acrylate by reaction of ethylene and acrylic acid in the presence of sulfuric acid is heated and distilled in the presence of a solvent for recovery of acrylic acid and ethyl acrylate.

Abstract: 1-Aminoanthraquinone (1-AAQ) is synthesized by the reaction of 2-chlorobenzyl chloride and xylene in the presence of a solid acid catalyst to yield 2-chloro dimethyldiphenylmethane, subsequent oxidation of the methyl groups, ring closure to form a 1-chloroanthraquinone carboxylic acid, replacement of the 1-chloro group with ammonia, and decarboxylation.

Abstract: 1-Aminoanthraquinone (1-AAQ) is synthesized by the condensation of 2-substituted benzoic acid and xylene to yield 2-substituted-dimethylbenzophenone, subsequent oxidation of the methyl groups, ring closure to form a 1-substituted anthraquinone carboxylic acid, replacement of the 1-substituent with ammonia, and decarboxylation.

Abstract: Substituted phenethanol ethers are prepared by the catalytic reduction of corresponding substituted phenylglyoxal acetals. The catalytic reduction is carried out by reacting a substituted phenylglyoxal acetal with hydrogen in the presence of an acid catalyst and a metal catalyst. Certain substituted phenylglyoxal acetals, and more particularly, 4-hydroxyphenylglyoxal dialkyl acetals are prepared by reacting 4-hydroxyacetophenone with a primary or a secondary alkyl alcohol in the presence of a hydrogen ion (H+) source and a nitrosonium ion (NO+) source.

Abstract: N-acetyl-para-aminophenol is prepared by subjecting 4-hydroxyacetophenone oxime to a Beckmann rearrangement in the presence of a thionyl chloride catalyst and an alkyl alkanoate as the reaction solvent. An integrated process is disclosed wherein 4-hydroxyacetophenone is reacted with a hydroxyl amine salt and a base to obtain the ketoxime of the ketone, e.g., 4-hydroxyacetophenone oxime, extracting the ketoxime product from the reaction with alkanoate ester and subjecting the ketoxime dissolved in the ester to a Beckmann rearrangement in the presence of a thionyl chloride catalyst.

Abstract: A method for producing ethyl 2-[4'-(6"-chloro-2"-benzoxazolyloxy)phenoxy]propanoate by reacting a hydroxyaromatic ketone derivative with a 2-substituted propanoic ester under basic conditions and thereafter oxidizing the intermediate with subsequent hydrolysis and reaction with 2,6-dichlorobenzoxazole.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing 1,3-glycols is disclosed. The process comprises reacting an epoxide with synthesis gas in the presence of rhodium and a phosphine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of 3-mono or 3,5-disubstituted-4-acetoxystyrene wherein the 3- or 3,5-substitution is independently C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl, chlorine, bromine, iodine, --NO.sub.2, --NH.sub.2, or --SO.sub.3 H, a process for its polymerization, hydrolysis, and use in a variety of compositions.

Abstract: A method is provided for the production of 1-(4'-isobutylphenyl)ethanol (IBPE) comprising hydrogenating 4-isobutylacetophenone (IBAP) in the absence of a solvent using as a catalyst a treated activated sponge nickel catalyst, e.g., Raney nickel, obtained by subjecting such a catalyst wetted with a protective liquid composed preponderantly of water to a washing treatment with an organic washing liquid in which the aqueous protective liquid is substantially soluble and which is substantially soluble in IBAP or IBPE, e.g., a lower alkanol such as methanol, ethanol or isopropanol. The catalyst optionally may also be washed with IBAP or IBPE after the wash with the organic washing liquid and before being used in the hydrogenation reaction. The washing treatment results in substantially higher conversions IBAP and increased yields of IBPE with a practical reaction time.

Abstract: 3-substituted-4-hydroxy- and 4-acetoxystyrene compounds, especially 3,5-di(methyl, bromo or chloro)-4-acetoxystyrene as well as a process for its preparation. 2,6-dimethylphenol is acylated with acetic anhydride and HF catalyzed to produce 3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-acetophenone. After subsequent esterification with acetic anhydride and catalyzed hydrogenation to form 1-(3',5'-dimethyl-4'-acetoxyphenyl)ethanol, this intermediate is then dehydrated with an acid and a polymerization inhibitor to produce 3,5-dimethyl-4-acetoxystyrene.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing 1,3-glycols is disclosed. The process comprises reacting an epoxide with synthesis gas in the presence of rhodium and a phosphine.

Abstract: Acyloxy aromatic carboxylic acids, e.g., 4-acetoxybenzoic acid, are prepared by oxidizing with oxygen an acyloxy aromatic ketone, e.g., 4-acetoxyacetophenone in the presence of manganese cations and a lower-carboxylic acid anhydride as catalyst and a co-reductant or promoter. The acyloxy aromatic ketone may be prepared by acylating a hydroxy aromatic ketone, e.g., 4-hydroxyacetophenone, which has the effect of "masking" the hydroxyl group of the ketone in a manner necessary to effect the subsequent transition-metal catalyzed oxidation of the ketone to the acyloxy aromatic carboxylic acid.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of 6-hydroxy-2-naphthones, e.g., 6-hydroxy-2-acetonaphthone, by contacting a 2-naphthyl carboxylate ester, e.g., 2-naphthyl acetate with at least 20 moles of hydrogen fluoride per mole of 2-naphthyl ester, at reaction temperatures, e.g., 0.degree. to 100.degree. C. for a period of reaction, e.g., 30 minutes to 8 hours sufficient to produce the desired amount of 6-hydroxy-2-naphthone. The process may utilize a carboxylic acid or anhydride, e.g., acetic acid or anhydride as an additive for the purpose of further increasing the regioselectivity of the 6-hydroxy-2-naphthone product. The process is capable of being carried out at a conversion of 2-naphthyl ester of at least 90% and a regioselectivity to 6-hydroxy-2-naphthone of at least 90 mol %.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing N-acyl-acyloxy aromatic amine, such as 4-acetoxyacetanilide by reacting a hydroxy-aromatic ketoxime with a carboxylic acid anhydride, e.g. acetic anhydride, in the presence of phosphoric or oxalic acid as a Beckmann rearrangement catalyst. Preferably the ketoxime is prepared by reacting a hydroxy aromatic ketone such as 4-hydroxyacetophone with a hydroxyl amine salt, and the ketone is obtained by the Fries rearrangement of a phenolic ester, e.g. phenyl acetate or the Friedel-Crafts acylation of a phenolic compound, e.g. phenol, with an acylating agent, e.g. acetic acid.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of 4-acetoxybenzoic acid by subjecting phenyl acetate to a Fries rearrangement or phenol and an acetylating agent to a Friedel-Crafts acetylation to form 4-hydroxyacetophenone which is then acetylated with an acetylating agent such as acetic anhydride to form 4-acetoxyacetophenone. The 4-acetoxyacetophenone is then oxidized with oxygen in the presence of manganese cations and acetic acid as catalysts and a co-reductant or promoter to form 4-acetoxybenzoic acid. The acetylation of the 4-hydroxyacetophenone has the effect of "masking" the hydroxyl group of the latter compound in a manner necessary to effect the subsequent oxidation of the ketone group of the 4-acetoxyacetophenone.

Abstract: A process is provided for the distillation of a composition containing 4-hydroxyacetophenone and hydrogen fluoride in the presence of an alkane assisting solvent having from 4 to 16 carbon atoms e.g. n-hexane or n-octane. The process is carried out to obtain an overhead vapor containing alkane solvent and most of the hydrogen fluoride in the feed, and a liquid residue containing most of the 4-hydroxyacetophenone in the feed. The overhead vapor is condensed to form two immiscible phases, one containing a preponderance of hydrogen fluoride and the other a preponderance of alkane solvent, with the latter phase being returned to the distillation as reflux. The liquid residue also separates into two immiscible layers, one containing most of the 4-hydroxyacetophenone in the feed which is recovered and the other a preponderance of alkane solvent.

Abstract: Water soluble salts of acrylic acid are polymerized and co-polymerized with acrylamide by an inverse emulsion polymerization in a water/hydrocarbon emulsion without catalyst to yield high molecular weight polymers.