Abstract: A process for removing acid gases such as CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S from gas streams using a cyclic aqueous alkaline scrubbing solution which is circulated between an absorption and regeneration stage is disclosed. This process is improved by integrating within this cyclic system a process scheme wherein condensed steam having gaseous impurities dissolved therein is recovered from the feed gas and subjected to a pressure below which scrubbing solution regeneration takes place. While maintaining this pressure, the process condensate is heated, boiled and stripped to evolve a vaporous mixture comprising steam and gaseous impurities which are compressed and introduced into the regeneration stage. By this process, useful work is performed by low temperature process streams thereby improving the overall efficiency of the cyclic process.

Abstract: A vanadium, phosphorus oxygen containing catalyst compositions capable of partially oxidizing hydrocarbons (e.g., n-butane) to form a carboxylic anhydride (e.g., maleic anhydride), a process for preparing this catalyst, and a process for using this catalyst to form such anhydrides is disclosed. The catalyst composition is prepared by an organic heterogeneous technique followed by a water treatment step and activation.

Abstract: A method for preparing polyols such as diols by catalytic hydroxylation of an olefinic compound by reacting the olefinic compound with an organic hydroperoxide and water in the presence of a catalyst comprising osmium compound and a specific halide co-catalyst is disclosed.

Abstract: A process directed to the hydroxylation of olefins by reacting said olefins with an oxygen containing gas and water in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising (i) a catalytically active metal oxide such as OsO.sub.4, (ii) as a co-catalyst I a transition metal salt such as CuBr.sub.2, and (iii) optionally a co-catalyst II salt such as tetra ethyl ammonium bromide is disclosed.

Abstract: A method to synthesize styrene from toluene by: (a) oxidizing toluene to form oxygenated toluene derivatives; (b) carbonylating said oxygenated products in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst and preferably a halogen promoter to produce phenylacetic acid; (c) hydrogenating said phenylacetic acid to synthesize phenylethyl alcohol; and (d) dehydrating said phenylethyl alcohol to obtain a high yield of styrene.

Abstract: Method for preparing polyols such as diols and triols by the homogeneous catalytic hydroxylation of an olefinic compound by contacting the olefinic compound with an organic hydroperoxide in an inert polar solvent containing catalytic amounts of an osmium compound and a halide and at least a stoichiometric amount of water based on the amount of said olefinic compound.