Abstract: A process for the preparation of a low viscosity aqueous alkyl toluene or alkyl xylene sulfonate which comprises neutralizing alkyl toluene or alkyl xylene sulfonic acid with aqueous sodium hydroxide in the presence of sufficient sodium chloride to lower the viscosity of the sulfonate salt produced. Alternatively, the sodium chloride may be added subsequent to neutralization of the sulfonic acid.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic production of maleic anhydride from n-butane with sustained high activity for the catalyst which comprises contacting the n-butane feed with oxygen gas and a catalyst comprising oxides of vanadium and phosphorus and maintaining between 0.5 and 50 mole percent propane in the feed, based on propane plus n-butane, during the normal onstream time.

Abstract: In a process for the conversion of normal butane to maleic anhydride at a pressure between about 15 and 100 psig and a temperature above 675.degree. F, by contacting the normal butane with an oxygen-containing gas and an oxidation catalyst disposed in a fixed catalyst bed or set of tubes in a reactor vessel, and withdrawing an effluent comprising unreacted normal butane, oxygen, Co, Co.sub.2, N.sub.2 and maleic anhydride from the catalyst bed or tubes, improvements in yield, product quality and plant operability are obtained by rapidly cooling the effluent gas to a temperature below 675.degree. F. One method of accomplishing this is by contacting the effluent gas with cooling coils contained within the reactor but below the catalyst bed.

Abstract: Organic disulfonic acids are produced by heating a sulfonate monomer at a temperature above 110.degree.C. in the substantial absence of water. Olefin sulfonation product mixtures, hydroxyalkane sulfonic acids, alkane sultones, alkene sulfonic acids and mixtures thereof are oligomerized under these conditions.

Abstract: Organic disulfonic acids are produced by heating a sulfonate monomer at a temperature above 110.degree.C. in the substantial absence of water. Olefin sulfonation product mixtures, hydroxyalkane sulfonic acids, alkane sultones, alkene sulfonic acids and mixtures thereof are oligomerized under these conditions.