Abstract: A process for producing benzyllithium, benzylsodium and polyphenylene paradimethylene and analogs comprising dissolving toluene in an aprotic polar solvent in which toluene is more acidic than water, such as DMSO, under an inert atmosphere, such as argon, adding an alkali metal hydroxide, such as lithium or sodium hydroxide, to form the alkali metal anion of the benzyl cation and water then removing the solvent and water to obtain the solid alkali metal alpha-carbon toluene compound, which is best stored under hexane. This process also relating to toluene analogs such as parachloro toluene which thereby yields parachloro alkali metal alpha-carbon toluene which is then polymerized by heating with a suitable high-boiling solvent, such as dibutyl ether or dimethoxy ethane in the presence of a copper catalyst, such as copper sulfate or finely divided copper metal at approximately 170C for 5 hours to form polyphenylene paradimethylene.

Abstract: A process for protecting aldehydes and ketones in crossed aldol condensations where both aldols possess alpha-carbon hydrogens, comprising protecting the target aldol by forming an acetal or imine with an alcohol, glycol or primary amine which may contain electron-withdrawing groups, adding a base of sufficient strength to abstract a proton from the alpha-carbon of the acetal or imine and adding the second aldol to form the salt of the saturated hydroxy addition compound, thereby minimizing by-products, waste and separation difficulties, then forming the unsaturated addition compound and decomposing the acetal or imine with dilute acid. This process having the advantage that a ketone may be added to a protected aldehyde target to produce an aldehyde as a product which was not previously possible.

Abstract: A process to produce ethyne comprising passing acetaldehyde in the gas phase through a reaction zone containing a dehydrating metal oxide catalyst such as aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide at a temperature of approximately 375 C. to produce ethyne and water and a cooling zone following the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process of dehydrating acetaldehyde to produce ethyne comprising passing acetaldehyde in the gas phase over a dehydration catalyst such as aluminum oxide which may be promoted with mercuric sulfate at a temperature of approximately 600 degrees Centigrade to produce ethyne and water and a cooling zone following the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for protecting aldehydes and ketones in crossed aldol condensations comprising protecting the target ketone by forming a gem-diol with ethylene glycol or aldehyde with ethylene glycol or a mono-hydroxy alcohol to allow the additive ketone or aldehyde to condense with the target thereby minimizing by-products, waste and separation difficulties then decomposing the gem-diol with dilute mineral acid.