Abstract: 4-chlorobenzotrichloride was prepared by the chlorination of p-xylene in the vapor phase at a temperature above about 200.degree. C. in the presence of an activated carbon catalyst and water. An approximately 75 percent calculated yield was obtained at 250.degree. C. using a wide-pore activated carbon catalyst.

Abstract: A method for producing an optically active amine which is an important compound as a resolving agent for medicines, agricultural chemicals, intermediates thereof, etc is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for separating the ortho-isomer of chlorotoluene from a feed mixture containing ortho- and para-chlorotoluene by selective adsorption and desorption with an L zeolite adsorbent having potassium or potassium and sodium cations at cation exchange sites and a desorbent containing chlorobenzene or mixtures thereof with a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon and especially 10-50% chlorobenzene and 50-90% saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon. The ortho-chlorotoluene is relatively non-absorbed on the adsorbent and is recovered prior to more strongly adsorbed species in a rejective separation process.

Abstract: Start-up procedure for FBSG process involving starting up under oxidizing conditions with Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 (no Ni) particles in the bed and the switching to reducing conditions prior to adding Ni/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 catalyst. This procedure will prevent catalyst particle agglomeration.

Abstract: A low value C.sub.5 feedstock is efficiently upgraded by a series of process steps involving reacting branched tertiary olefins in the feed and from subsequent isomerization with methanol and/or water to form TAME and/or TAA, separating isopentene by distillation from the reaction mixture, separating product TAME and/or TAA by distillation from linear C.sub.5 hydrocarbons, and converting the linear C.sub.5 hydrocarbons by skeletal isomerization to branched C.sub.5 hydrocarbons which are recycled to said reaction with methanol and/or water.

Abstract: Primary alcohols may be oxidized to the corresponding aldehydes using non-toxic oxidizing agents such as tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in the presence of a transition metal phthalocyanine catalyst. Representative catalysts include ferrous phthalocyanine and chloroferric phthalocyanine. Under some conditions, 1,1-dialkoxyalkanes may be co-produced with the aldehydes. 1,1-Dialkoxyalkanes are protected aldehydes and find utility in solvents.