Abstract: A process for the purification in the presence of water of impure benzaldehyde by which a purified benzaldehyde is prepared which has improved color stability and improved olfactory characteristics. The process is comprised of the steps of treating the impure benzaldehyde simultaneously with water and a metal less noble than hydrogen followed by distillation.

Abstract: A process for the preparing of a benzene-monocarboxylic acid by oxidation of a monoalkyl-benzene compound in the liquid phase with the aid of a gas containing molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalyst composed of a cobalt and a manganese compound, both of which are soluble in the reaction mixture, with a manganese-cobalt atomic ratio between 1:500 and 1:100,000, thus improving the selectivity of the reaction to form the desired benzene-monocarboxylic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a pure alkali metal benzoate, specifically of a pure alkali metal benzoate from benzyl benzoate prepared by oxidation of an alkyl benzene compound, specifically toluene, with a gas containing molecular oxygen, besides benzyl alcohol. Very specifically the invention relates to a method for the preparation of sodium benzoate besides benzyl alcohol.For this purpose crude benzyl benzoate is subjected to a treatment with a reducing substance to convert impurities, under such circumstance that, in the process, there will be no conversion of any substantial quantity of benzyl benzoate. Subsequently the benzyl benzoate is saponified to the alkali metal benzoate and benzyl alcohol.

Abstract: A process for purification of impure benzaldehyde by which purified benzaldehyde is prepared which has improved color stability and improved olfactory characteristics. The process is comprised of the steps of treatment with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst followed by distillation.The present invention is a new and novel process for the purification of benzaldehyde and, is in particular, a unique and novel process for the purification of benzaldehyde prepared by the oxidation of toluene with a gas containing molecular oxygen.

Abstract: An alkali-metal benzoate is prepared besides benzyl alcohol from a contaminated benzyl benzoate reaction residue obtained in the oxidation of a monoalkyl-benzene compound with a gas containing molecular oxygen. The disclosed process provides for distillation of the contaminated benzyl benzoate in the presence of a basic substance and the resulting distillate is hydrolyzed using an alkali-metal base.In this way, the benzyl benzoate that previously could not be separated from certain tar components by distillation is converted into a pure alkali metal benzoate such as sodium benzoate, besides pure benzyl alcohol, so that a waste product that was previously useless is converted into useful substances.

Abstract: A method for processing a tar which is formed during the oxidation of an alkyl-benzene compound and which contains substituted or unsubstituted benzyl benzoate, which method comprises the steps of subjecting the tar to either hydrolysis or ammonolysis and then extracting the reaction mixture which is formed from the hydrolysis or ammonolysis. The extracting agent is organic and causes the reaction mixture to separate into liquid phases. The liquid phases are then separated for further processing.