Abstract: Provided is a continuous process for producing 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid by the liquid phase oxidation of 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene comprising continuously adding to a reaction zone the oxidation reaction components comprising 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, a source of molecular oxygen, a solvent comprising an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, and a catalyst comprising cobalt, manganese and bromine components, wherein the atom ratio of manganese to cobalt is about 5:1 to about 0.3:1, the total of cobalt and manganese is at least about 0.40 weight percent based on the weight of solvent, and maintaining the contents of the reaction zone at a temperature of about 370.degree. F. to about 420.degree. F. and at a pressure sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the monocarboxylic acid in the liquid phase thereby oxidizing the 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene to 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A method for the highly selective production of a p-alkyltoluene or 4,4'-alkylmethylbiphenyl involving the use of a specific Lewis acid catalyst and a highly regeospecific methylating agent.

Abstract: A method for the highly selective production of a p-alkylethylbenzene or 4,4'-alkylethylbiphenyl involving the use of a Lewis acid or Bronsted acid alkylation catalyst and a highly regiospecific ethylating agent.

Abstract: A regioselective acylation process is provided for coverting a 2-methylnaphthalene compound to a 2-acetyl-6-methylnaphthalene compound. The process is conducted under liquid phase conditions in an acylation inert solvent using a complexing agent which is regiospecific for the beta position of naphthalene and which is a thermally stable nitrohydrocarbon compound. Preferred such agents are nitrobenzene, o-nitrotoluene, and mesitylene. Also provided is a novel method for producing a 2-acetyl-6-methylnaphthalene compound of relatively high purity from isomer mixtures by recrystallization from a hydrocarbon solvent, such as n-octane, isooctane, or n-nonane.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing molten diesters of naphthalenedicarboxylic acids and stabilized naphthalenedicarboxylic acid diester compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the liquid phase oxidation of aryl phosphates having at least one oxidizable substituent on at least one aryl moiety, wherein the oxidizable substituent is oxidized to a carboxylic acid substituent. Staged addition of the oxidation catalyst provides for improved yields of oxidized product.

Abstract: A method for preparing one or more diemthylnaphthalenes from one or more dimethyltetralins, and optionally for preparing one or more other specific dimethylnaphthalenes by isomerization of the aforesaid dimethylnaphthalene(s) is disclosed.

Abstract: A regioselective process is provided for preparing 4-bromo-o-xylene in an isomer mixture of 4-bromo-o-xylene and 3-bromo-o-xylene by combining a molar excess of bromine with o-xylene. The produced 3-bromo-o-xylene isomer preferentially reacts with the excess bromine to produce dibromo-o-xylenes. The weight ratio of the 4-bromo-o-xylene to the 3-bromo-o-xylene in the product isomer mixture can be as high as about 97:3. Concurrent production of alpha-bromo-o-xylene is avoided by conducting the admixing in either darkness or in sulfur dioxide solution. The dibromo-o-xylene by products are easily separated by subsequent vacuum distillation or similar expedients.

Abstract: A process for the production of aromatic esters or aromatic anhydrides with improved color properties is disclosed. This process comprises treating the aromatic ester or aromatic anhydride with an activated boric acid followed by fractionation.

Abstract: Aromatic dicarboxylic acids, specifically 4,4'-dicarboxydiphenyl ether, terephthalic acid, 4,4'-carboxybis(benzoic acid) and the like, are purified by dissolving the crude acid in a monocarboxylic acid anhydride, purifying the resulting solution, and recovering a purified acid product therefrom.

Abstract: A method to oxidize an oxidizable component in a liquid phase with an oxygen-containing gas is disclosed. The method comprises mixing the liquid phase and gas phase in a reactor with a rotating agitator element operated at constant power.

Abstract: A method for preparing one or more specific dimethyltetralins from either 5-(o-, m-, or p-tolyl)-pent-1-or -2-ene or 5-phenyl-hex-1- or -2-ene, and optionally for preparing one or more specific dimethylnaphthalenes from the aforesaid dimethyltetralins is disclosed.

Abstract: A process to hydrogenate and deodorize a polyisobutylene polymer of from 100 to 4000 molecular weight and cosmetic dermatological compositions containing the hydrogenated, deodorized polyisobutylene polymers are disclosed.

Abstract: An oxidation process is provided for converting dixylylpropane to isopropylidene bis(phthalic acid) in good yields with minimal by-product production, especially trimellitic acid production. The oxidation process employs an oxidation catalyst that includes zirconium as well as cobalt, manganese, and bromine.

Abstract: A regioselective process is provided for preparing 4-bromo-o-xylene in an isomer mixture of 4-bromo-o-xylene and 3-bromo-o-xylene by combining bromine with o-xylene in liquid sulfur dioxide medium. A bromine to o-xylene mole ratio of about 0.4:1 to about 1:1 is utilized at a temperature in the range of about -20.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C. While preferred temperatures are in the about -15.degree. C. to about -9.degree. C. range, temperatures above about -9.degree. C. can be used by maintaining the reactant solution under pressure. A product isomer mixture can be isolated by vacuum distillation. A 92:8 weight ratio mixture of 4-bromo-o-xylene and 3-bromo-o-xylene is thus obtainable.

Abstract: A regioselective acetylation process is provided for converting a 2-methylnaphthalene compound to a 2-acetyl-6-methylnaphthalene compound. The process is conducted under liquid phase conditions using a new complexing agent which is regiospecific for the beta position of naphthalene and which is an electron-rich, carbon-based compound. A preferred such agent is hexamethylbenzene. Also provided is a novel method for producing a 2-acetyl-6-methylnaphthalene compound of relative high purity from isomer mixtures by recrystallization from a hydrocarbon solvent, such as n-octane, isooctane, or n-nonane.