Abstract: Acetone produced as a by-product in the reaction of methyl acetate with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a Group VIII noble metal catalyst and methyl iodide is recovered from the reaction mixture by supplying acetone to provide an acetone to methyl iodide molar ratio of at least 1:10 and distilling the mixture comprising methyl iodide, acetone and methyl acetate to separate substantially all of the methyl iodide and the supplied acetone and some of the methyl acetate from the remaining acetone and methyl acetate and thereafter separating the acetone from the methyl acetate.

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 Group VIB of the Periodic Table, or their compounds, and an arsine of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 are monocyclic aryl groups or alkyl groups and R.sup.2 is the radical ##STR2## a monocyclic aryl group or an alkyl group, and wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each a monocyclic aryl group or an alkyl group, with the proviso that at least one of R, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is a monocyclic aryl group, n being zero or a digit from 1-20.

Abstract: Carbonylation products of methyl acetate such as acetic anhydride are purified with respect to iodine contaminants by treatment with cesium acetate, potassium acetate or sodium acetate.

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: In the preparation of glycol esters by the liquid phase reaction of an olefin, molecular oxygen, and a carboxylic acid in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a variable valent cation in association with bromine, chlorine, a bromine-containing compound or a chlorine-containing compound, improved reaction rate and product selectively are achieved by carrying out the reaction in a vertical reaction zone communicating with at least one zone for movement of liquid from the top of the vertical reaction zone to the bottom of said reaction zone, and providing gaseous and liquid feeds in predetermined relationships and providing predetermined vertical superficial liquid velocities.

Abstract: A catalyst for the liquid phase hydrogenation of acetophenone to phenyl methyl carbinol having improved physical strength and superior selectivity to the desired product having a composition expressed as oxides consisting essentially of: (a) a barium-copper chromate containing 30-55 wt. % CuO, 30-57 wt. % Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, and up to 16 wt. % BaO; and (b) 1-13 wt % ZnO relative to 100% by weight of said barium-copper chromite. In a preferred embodiment 0.15-1.7 wt. % MgO relative to 100% by weight of said barium-copper chromite is included. The zinc compound may be added by solution impregnation of the barium-copper chromite or as a powder. Preferably, the catalyst is prepared by combining into a wet paste a barium-promoted copper chromite and a zinc compound and preferably also magnesium chromate, followed by drying the paste and then calcining the dried mixture. After calcination, the catalyst typically is pelletized for use in a fixed bed reactor.

Abstract: In the oxidation of ethylene with molecular oxygen, improved selectivity to the production of ethylene oxide is obtained by employing a silver catalyst containing greater than zero and up to about 300 ppm by weight of thallium, based on the total catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst composition useful for the oxidation of unsaturated aldehydes, particularly the oxidation of acrolein and methacrolein to produce the corresponding unsaturated acids, acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, respectively, comprises the combination of oxides of molybdenum, copper, boron, phosphorus and antimony, an alkali metal, and optionally vanadium in predetermined relative atomic ratios. When the catalyst is used for the vapor-phase oxidation of the aldehydes with molecular oxygen, the acids are produced with a combination of good conversion and high selectivity with elevated quantities of aldehyde in the feed and at super atmospheric pressures.

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: 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: In an oxidation process for converting methacrolein to methacrylic acid, methacrylic acid is recovered by cooling and condensing the effluent from the oxidation, followed by azeotropic distillation of the condensate with a suitable solvent, such as methyl n-propyl ketone. The condensed effluent contains methacrylic acid and water as the major components along with by-product acetic acid, a minor amount of unreacted methacrolein and impurities. Substantially dry crude methacrylic acid is separated as a bottom product from the azeotropic distillation and an azeotrope of water and the solvent is taken overhead and condensed. After condensation, solvent-rich and water-rich phases form and are separated. The solvent-rich phase is returned to the distillation column as a reflux, while the water-rich phase is sent to a stripping column for recovery of residual solvent. Water is withdrawn from the bottom of the stripping column and recycled or discarded, as desired.

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

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.