Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for producing substantially anhydrous alcohols from aqueous solutions thereof by distilling a mixture of aqueous alcohol and an entrainer to a drying column withdrawing an azeotrope as a distillate and continuously recovering anhydrous alcohol with less than 0.1% by weight of water from the base of the drying column. The improvement resides in feeding the distillate to a condenser and introducing (a) the condensate therefrom in a substantially non-turbulent state into a decanter at a point close to the interface between the aqueous and organic phases present therein and (b) a specified amount of water, which is less than 0.25 volumes per volume of the anhydrous alcohol recovered, into the drying column at a point adjacent to that at which the organic hydrocarbon phase is returned as reflux.

Abstract: Pentaerythritylmonopibsate esters having high hydroxyl: ester group ratios are prepared by an esterification reaction in the presence of a high-boiling pyridine base, of which collidine, 2-methyl-5-ethyl pyridine or quinoline are preferred.

Abstract: A process for the production of isophorone involving side-stream removal of a fraction in which color forming compounds are concentrated and treatment thereof with a strong mineral acid to decompose the contaminants into higher boiling compounds. Additionally the bulk of the isophorone is separated from the aqueous phase in the presence of a strong acid which serves to neutralize the alkali catalyst. Such treatment aids phase separation and minimizes beta-isophorone production. Alpha-isophorone is recovered from both fractions.

Abstract: Isophorone is produced by feeding a mixture comprising 65 to 85% w/w acetone, 35 to 15% w/w water and 0.7 to 0.3% w/w potassium hydroxide to an intermediate point in a reaction column, operating at elevated pressure, at such a rate as to maintain an acetone/water azeotrope reflux having a potassium hydroxide concentration in the range 300 to 1000 ppm within the reaction column, passing from the bottom of the column a fraction containing isophorone to a hydrolysis column also operating at elevated pressure wherein acetone is separated overhead and returned to the reaction column, removing the fraction containing water, isophorone and high-boiling compounds from the bottom of the hydrolysis column, and thereafter recovering the isophorone from the bottom fraction.