Abstract: Ethylene glycol is prepared by the reaction of ethylene, molecular oxygen and water in the presence of an iodine catalyst and in the presence of a copper co-catalyst or promoter.

Abstract: Water is removed from the methacrolein-containing effluent produced by the catalytic oxidation of isobutylene or tertiary butyl alcohol by quenching the effluent in water in a plurality of quenching steps under graduated increasing pressure.

Abstract: Ethylene glycol or 1,2-propylene glycol contained in mixtures with lower carboxylate esters of glycol, e.g. as produced by hydrolysis of the esters, is recovered by distillation of the mixtures with a hydrocarbon forming a minimum boiling azeotrope with the ethylene dlycol or 1,2-propylene glycol, the hydrocarbon being maintained in an inert atmosphere in the system.

Abstract: Acrylonitrile is dimerized by reaction in the presence of a catalyst consisting essentially of (a) at least one metal compound of the formula M(X).sub.n wherein M is Zn or Co, X is an anion derived from an alkyl or aryl sulfonic acid or from a carboxylic acid containing at least two carbon atoms which is substituted by at least one of the groups, --F, --Cl, --Br, --I and --CN in the .alpha.--C-position relative to the acid group and n is a number equal to the valence of the metal M divided by the number of acid equivalents of X and (b) at least one nitrogen-containing Lewis Base which is (1) a tertiary monoamine of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.

Abstract: A catalyst for the oxidation of butane to produce maleic anhydride comprising a substrate containing phosphorus and vanadium, and optionally also containing an activator, is characterized by the presence of at least one post-deposited promoter.

Abstract: Propylene oxide is separated from contaminating quantities of methanol and acetone by extractive distillation with water.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid, such as acetic acid, is prepared from a hydrocarbyl alcohol, such as methanol, in carbonylation processes comprising the use of an iodide, carbon monoxide and a nickel catalyst in the presence of a tin promoter.

Abstract: Olefins are oxidized to produce the corresponding epoxides by means of an aryl thallic carboxylate in the presence of an inert polar organic solvent and in the presence of water, the novel compound thallic benzoate being a preferred reactant.

Abstract: Benzene is oxidized with air to produce maleic anhydride in catalyst-containing reactors arranged in series, the gaseous effluent from the first reactor being passed to the second reactor after introduction of substantial amounts of benzene.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid anhydride such as acetic anhydride, is prepared from a carboxylate ester or a hydrocarbyl ether in carbonylation processes comprising the use of a halide, carbon monoxide and a Group VIII noble metal in the presence of promoters comprising at least one metal of Groups IVB, VB, and VIB or a non-noble metal of Group VIII, or their compounds and an organo-nitrogen compound or an organo-phosphorus compound wherein the nitrogen and phosphorus are trivalent.

Abstract: A mono-valent thallium compound is converted to a trivalent thallium compound by treating the thallium (I) compound with molecular oxygen in the presence of a Group VIII noble metal catalyst and in the presence of a promoter comprising an alkali metal compound to oxidize the thallium (I) compound to a thallium (III) compound.

Abstract: Methacrolein is recovered from a gaseous mixture containing it by bringing the gaseous mixture into contact with acetic acid.

Abstract: A catalyst composition useful for the oxidation of olefins, particularly the oxidation of propylene and isobutylene to produce the corresponding unsaturated aldehydes acrolein and methacrolein, respectively, comprises the combination of oxides of molybdenum, cobalt, iron, bismuth, thallium and antimony, and preferably also silicon. When the catalyst is used for the vapor-phase oxidation of the olefins with molecular oxygen, the aldehydes are produced with high selectivity. Alcohol precursors for the olefins can be used as feed instead of the olefins themselves.

Abstract: In the preparation of glycol esters by the oxidation of an olefin in the presence of a catalyst comprising tellurium, wherein the accumulation of foreign metals in association with the tellurium catalyst component has an adverse effect upon the reaction, such foreign metals are maintained at low levels while the tellurium catalyst values are recovered for recycling in high yield by purging a portion of a high-boiling residual fraction produced in the distillation treatment of the reaction mixture and treating the purged portion with water and/or an aqueous alkaline solution.

Abstract: A supported silver catalyst, having particular utility in the production of ethylene oxide by the controlled, vapor phase, partial oxidation of ethylene employing molecular oxygen as the oxidant, is prepared by impregnation procedures. After impregnation, the catalyst is activated by thermal pyrolysis in an inert atmosphere and, subsequently, an alkali metal promoter, preferably a potassium, rubidium, and/or cesium salt is added to enhance catalyst performance.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an improved process for the molecular oxygen oxidation of ethylbenzene in the liquid phase to ethylbenzene hydroperoxide. The improved process is particularly concerned with carrying out the oxidation in a series of separate oxidation zones at substantially constant pressure with the temperature being progressively reduced from zone to zone in the liquid phase, the temperature reduction and control being accomplished by recycle of inert gases.

Abstract: A monovalent thallium compound is converted to a trivalent thallium compound by treating the thallium (I) compound with molecular oxygen in the presence of a Group VIII noble metal catalyst and in the presence of a promoter comprising a heterocyclic tertiary amine to oxidize the thallium (I) compound to a thallium (III) compound.

Abstract: Ethylene glycol or 1,2-propylene glycol contained in mixtures with lower carboxylate esters of the glycol is recovered by azeotropic distillation of the mixtures with an azeotroping agent forming a minimum boiling azeotrope with the ethylene glycol or the 1,2-propylene glycol, the distillation being effected with reflux of azeotroping agent as well as controlled reflux of the glycol to the distillation zone.

Abstract: Process for preparing unsaturated esters by reacting an olefin having an allylic hydrogen atom with an ester forming material in the presence of oxygen and a catalyst selected from the group consisting of mercury, selenium or tellurium. The unsaturated ester may be converted to a polyunsaturated compound by pyrolysis.

Abstract: Ethylene glycol is prepared in an oxidation zone by the reaction of ethylene, molecular oxygen, and water in the presence of an iodine source to produce a liquid reaction product which is separated into a lower-boiling portion, a glycol fraction and a higher-boiling portion and the higher-boiling portion is recycled to the oxidation zone together with part of the lower-boiling portion.