Abstract: A process for the production of pyrocatechol and hydroquinone by the hydroxylation of phenol in the nucleus with hydrogen peroxide, wherein phenol is reacted at the start of the reaction with substantially anhydrous hydrogen peroxide and wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a strong acid.

Abstract: Aqueous slurries of acicular habit diperisophthalic acid are converted to slurries of tabular habit by heating at temperatures above 67.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the polymerization of vinyl or vinylidene-group-containing esters in the presence of a free radical generating compound as an initiator and a metal compound as an accelerator comprising, as an initiator, an organic peroxidic composition consisting essentially of a compound having the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 may be the same or different and each represents hydrogen, branched or unbranched alkyl, if desired substituted by hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl or halogen, aryl, if desired substituted by alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy or halogen, or aralkyl wherein the aryl group may be substituted by alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy or halogen, and wherein R.sub.1 together with R.sub.2, R.sub.3 together with R.sub.4, and R.sub.1 together with R.sub.4 form a branched or unbranched alkylene group, and R.sub.1 together with R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 form a branched or unbranched alkylylidene group.

Abstract: Di-t-butylperoxy ketals are prepared from t-butyl hydroperoxide and the appropriate ketone in the presence of from 1 to 10 times the weight of ketone of ethylbenzene employing an acidic catalyst. Water is removed by azeotropic distillation with ethylbenzene and excess t-butyl hydroperoxide is subsequently removed by azeotropic distillation of additional ethylbenzene to provide a solution of the di-t-butylperoxide ketal in ethylbenzene which is particularly desirable as an initiator for styrene polymerization.

Abstract: A catalyst cmposition for the gas phase oxidation of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated olefinic hydrocarbons comprising at least two metal oxides, at least one of which contains molybdenum, and a silica carrier having a specific surface area of at least 250 m.sup.2 /g, the catalyst composition as a whole having a specific surface area of from 100 to 250 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: There is provided a new derivative of 1,2-diphenyl-ethane of the formula:- ##STR1## This new compound has been found to be very useful for the treatment of hypertrophied conditions of the prostate.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of .beta.-isopropylnaphthalene hydroperoxide comprising oxidizing an isopropylnaphthalene mixture containing .alpha.- and .beta.-isopropylnaphthalene isomers with molecular oxygen or a molecular oxygen containing gas in an oxidation zone and recycling unreacted ispropylnaphthalene recoverd after the oxidation to the oxidation zone, in which the oxidation is carried out by controlling the .alpha.-isopropylnaphthalene content in the isopropylnaphthalene mixture continuously fed to the oxidation zone to about 15% by weight or less.

Abstract: New polybutyl-2-cinnamylphenols, particularly 4,6-di-t-butyl-2-cinnamylphenol, are useful for insect control and especially as insect chemosterilants and oviposition inhibitors.

Abstract: A method for separating and recovering hydroquinone which comprises distilling a by-product-containing acid-cleavage product, which is obtained by acid-cleavage of an oxidation product of para-diisopropyl benzene in a solvent, in the presence of an aromatic hydrocarbon, thereby removing low-boiling fractions including the solvent, bringing the resulting hydroquinone-containing distillation bottoms into contact with water, and crystallizing and separating hydroquinone; characterized in thatA. the distilling off of the low-boiling fractions is effected without the addition of water and in the absence of an azeotropic amount of water and also in the presence of an aromatic hydrocarbon containing 9 to 10 carbon atoms, andB. the contacting of the distillation bottoms with water is effected under conditions which do not induce crystallization of hydroquinone in the distillation bottoms.

Abstract: A process for selectively ortho-alkylating a phenolic compound which comprises reacting the phenolic compound with an aldehyde and hydrogen in the presence of a copper-chromium catalyst.

Abstract: A 3,5-dialkylphenol having alkyl groups that are primary or secondary and that have a sum total of carbon atoms greater than two is separated from a mixture which also contains other dialkylphenols and mono-alkylphenols. The mixture is subjected to a selective sulfonation in order that all the compounds in the mixture, except the 3,5-dialkylphenol, are sulfonated. Then, the unsulfonated 3,5-dialkylphenol and the sulfonated compounds are separated, and the purified 3,5-dialkylphenol is recovered.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of pyrogallol from glutaric ester and dialkoxymalonic ester.

Abstract: Production of aldehydes and alcohols by oxo synthesis involving the reaction of olefinic compounds with carbon monoxide and hydrogen at elevated temperatures and under elevated pressures in the presence of amine-modified carbonyl complexes of cobalt or rhodium. Diamino diphenyl alkanes are used as modifying agents.

Abstract: A novel, heterogeneous catalyst is useful in an improved process for the production of aldehydes and alcohols from olefinic hydrocarbons in the presence of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The catalyst consists of a polyphenylene substrate to which are bonded diphenylphosphine ligands complexed with a metal carbonyl, such as cobalt carbonyl. The catalyst has excellent thermal stability, is essentially insoluble in the reactants or reaction products, and is active in the hydroformylation reaction at a temperature of about 195.degree. C and a pressure of about 500 psig.

Abstract: Storage stable liquid compositions are prepared from solid acyl alkylsulfonyl peroxides and polar or polarizable solvents or solvent mixtures. The compositions are liquid at 0.degree. to -40.degree. C and are useful as free-radical initiators for polymerizaton of vinyl monomers.

Abstract: Compounds which contain a group bonded directly to an aromatic nucleus of the formula--(CH.sub.2 --).sub.n --X (1)in which n is a positive integer having a value of at least 2 and X represents a removable substituent.

Abstract: A process for the isolation of n-aldehyde from a mixture of n-aldehyde and i-aldehyde in a solvent by the addition of no more than a stoichiometric amount of an alkali metal hydrogen sulfite in aqueous solution to the mixture. The resulting precipitate is separated, washed, and later decomposed to yield substantially pure n-aldehyde.

Abstract: In a process for producing an aldehyde by hydroformylation comprising reacting an olefin with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a solution of a rhodium-tertiary phosphine complex catalyst and recycling the catalyst-containing solution to the reaction zone after recovering the aldehyde formed by distillation in a distillation zone, the catalyst inactivated by the hydroformylation is reactivated effectively by treating the catalyst-containing solution with carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process is disclosed which comprises hydroformylating an olefinic compound possessing an alpha olefinic double bond with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a Group IB metal phthalocyanine compound or said compound dispersed on a solid support.

Abstract: In a process for producing methacrolein by the gas phase catalytic reaction of isobutene with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalyst consisting of Mo, Bi, Fe, Co, Sb and O, the catalyst is prepared by using as the Sb component, a mixture of a trivalent Sb compound and a pentavalent Sb compound. When said catalyst is used, the reaction can be continued over a long period of time without formation of complete oxidation products, i.e. CO and CO.sub.2, and, even when the starting isobutene contains n-butene, the reaction proceeds smoothly to make it possible to produce methacrolein and 1,3-butadiene simultaneously.