Abstract: A process for inhibiting free-radical polymerization of an alpha,beta-unsaturated (&agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated) carboxylic acid, and for providing desired grade &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid for use following storage and transport is described herein. In particular, bulk storage and shipment such as with overseas transport is described. The process comprises combining the &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid with a phenolic inhibitor and a coinhibitor to form an inhibited mixture, storing the inhibited mixture, transporting the inhibited mixture, and removing the coinhibitor to provide the desired grade &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid for use. In preferred embodiments, the &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid is acrylic acid, the phenolic inhibitor is p-methoxyphenol, the coinhibitor is manganese cation, and removal of the coinhibitor is carried out using an ion exchange resin.

Abstract: In a process for oxidizing methanol to formaldehyde which comprises passing the methanol with molecular oxygen through two sequential silver-based catalysts, with the second of said catalysts being a bed of particulate silver such as, specifically, silver crystals, the process efficiency, and especially the efficiency of the reaction taking place in the second catalyst bed, is improved by controlling (a) the ratio of formaldehyde to methanol in the reactant gases entering the second catalyst bed and (b) the specific reaction rate in said second bed. The specific reaction rate is defined as the quantity of methanol converted in said second bed per unit time per unit of cross-sectional area of the bed.

Abstract: In the production of 1,6-hexanediol by oxidation of cyclohexane to produce an acidic oxidation product comprising adipic acid, followed by esterification of the acidic oxidation product and a subsequent hydrogenolysis of the ester, the improvement which comprises a prehydrogenation of the acidic oxidation product prior to esterification thereof.