Abstract: Trimethylolpropane of high purity is efficiently made by mixing the aldol reaction product of formaldehyde and n-butyraldehyde with at least about 20 wt % of a lower alcohol prior to hydrogenation. The alcohol addition also promotes hydrogenolysis of by-product esters at pressures below 3000 psig and allows recovery of high purity product by simple distillation.

Abstract: Neopentyl glycol is made from isobutyraldehyde and formaldehyde. The formaldehyde may be in the form of paraformaldehyde or aqueous formaldehyde. The aldol reaction product is mixed with a lower alcohol prior to hydrogenation to promote hydrogenolysis and allow recovery of high purity product by simple distillation. In a less preferred mode, the alcohol may be added after hydrogenation, resulting in a smaller improvement over previous processes.

Abstract: Isophorone is made by the aldol condensation of acetone followed by separate steps to remove acetone, mesityloxide, and beta isophorone. Variations include recycling of mesityloxide and/or beta isophorone.

Abstract: Undesirable color change in freshly manufactured cumene hydroperoxide is inhibited by treatment comprising adding sodium hydroxide in an effective amount up to about 120 ppm and holding the treated cumene hydroperoxide at a temperature of about 50.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C. for 0.5 to two hours; optionally the cumene hydroperoxide so treated in the higher end of this caustic range is further treated with a wiped-film evaporator.

Abstract: Neopentyl glycol is made from isobutyraldehyde and paraformaldehyde; the aldol reaction product is directly mixed with a lower alcohol for hydrogenolysis.

Abstract: In a process for the production of neopentyl glycol by hydrogenation of the aldol product of formaldehyde and isobutyraldehyde, an improvement comprises the wiped-film evaporator treatment of a saponified NPG-containing mixture. The process results in a very pure product and also eliminates the need for the addition of steam to the crude NPG, thus saving the cost of energy for removing the water from the NPG.A further yield improvement is achieved by extracting NPG from the caustic residue with isobutyraldehyde and water. The isobutyraldehyde selectively recovers the NPG while the water selectively removes the caustic. The isobutyraldehyde and NPG are then conveniently recycled to the aldol reaction zone.

Abstract: Crude cumene hydroperoxide is purified by subjecting it to an evaporation step at a pressure of about 2 to 10 (preferably 3 to 7) mg Hg abs. and a temperature of about 150.degree. F. to about 210.degree. F. (pref. about 175.degree. F. to 195.degree. F.) to remove light impurities and then subjecting the residue from the first evaporation step to a second evaporation step also at a temperature of about 135.degree. F. to 210.degree. F. (pref. about 150.degree. F. to 185.degree. F.) but at a pressure of about 0.5 to about 8 (preferably 1 to 3) mm Hg abs. to obtain a distillate significantly reduced in color bodies, water, acetophenone, and dimethylbenzyl alcohol, and sodium.