Abstract: An industrially useful process for the production of an aromatic hydroxy compound which comprises reacting an aromatic sulfonic acid alkali metal salt and/or an aromatic sulfonic acid with an alkali metal hydroxide in the presence of a surface active agent, wherein the reaction is effected by uniformly dispersing these-materials in a reaction medium selected from aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons. By employing this process, the product can be obtained with high purity, high yield and high selectivity using a minimum amount of the alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing 2-methylnaphthalene by isomerization of 1-methylnaphthalene in which a Y zeolite having a unit cell constant of less than or equal to 24.37 .ANG. (10.sup.-10 m) is used as an isomerization catalyst.Since the isomerization is effected by the use of the inventive heterogeneous solid catalyst which has a long catalyst life, 2-methylnaphthalene is produced from 1-methylnaphthalene efficiently with less cost and handling steps for regeneration or exchange of the catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the extraction of indoles which comprises the steps of firstly extracting indoles from an indoles containing mixture with formamide or a formamide-containing solution and subsequently contacting the extract with at least one organic solvent selected from the group consisting of ethers, aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons to recover indoles with the organic solvent. This process is applicable to an industrial scale extraction of indoles, because the extraction solvent system has a high extraction selectivity of indoles, is required in a small amount with almost no losses through the extraction and recovery steps and can be used repeatedly.

Abstract: The improved process for preparing para-hydroxybenzoic acid comprises reacting potassium phenol with carbon dioxide in an inert reaction medium or without using a reaction medium in the presence of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by the following general formula I or II: ##STR1## at a reaction temperature of 230.degree.-450.degree. C. and at a carbon dioxide pressure ranging from atmospheric pressure to 6 kg/cm.sup.2 (G). The process may comprise two stages and the first-stage reaction described above is followed by the second stage in which the reaction is further continued with the pressure of carbon dioxide in the system being reduced and/or the reaction temperature being elevated within the range specified above.Also, phenol may be used as the starting material instead of potassium phenolate.