Abstract: A process for recovering a solution of Co and Mn acetates and other valuable components of a waste residue of used catalyst discharged from a plant for the liquid-phase, homogeneously catalyzed oxidation of alkylaromatic compounds, to produce polycarboxylic aromatic acids. The residue is pyrolized in a reaction zone provided forming molten metal in an electric arc or molten metal furnace under conditions which convert essentially all carbon in the residue mainly to CO, hydrogen and compounds vaporized in an effluent from the reaction zone. The effluent is passed through a liquid-gas-contacting means to yield a quench or scrubber stream. The residue may also be sludge from a pond in which the residue is stored. The alloy recovered is atomized to form a powder metal which is then digested in acetic acid, and/or aqueous hydrogen bromide, and/or mixtures thereof with the quench or scrubber stream, to form the corresponding salts.

Abstract: A process for recovering valuable components of a residue from a stream of used catalyst, discharged from a plant for the liquid-phase, homogeneously catalyzed oxidation of alkylaromatic compounds under pressure, to produce polycarboxylic aromatic acids. The residue containing mainly cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) compounds is injected into a molten metal bath in combination with enough oxygen gas to convert essentially all carbon in the residue mainly to CO. The residue may also be sludge from a pond in which the residue is stored. The Co content of the molten metal is determined by how much of the Mn in the residue is to be rejected from the molten metal. The Mn rejected is distributed between a slag overlying the molten metal and the effluent which leaves the bath. In the slag, the Mn is trapped as manganese oxide (MnO); in the effluent Mn leaves as manganese dibromide (MnBr.sub.2).

Abstract: A third aldehyde or ketone is added to a binary mixture of aldehyde and/or ketones used in preparing mixtures of pyridine and alkyl-substituted pyridines in large scale continuous processes. The amount of the third component is appropriately adjusted whereby the relative ratio(s) of products are adjusted and the total yield of pyridines and/or alkyl-substituted pyridines is high, all without any plant shut-down. In a preferred system, propionaldehyde is added to a binary mixture of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde to produce surprisingly high amounts of beta-pyridine and pyridine.

Abstract: A method of preparing UV-grade synthetic pyridine from a pyridine-containing reaction product mixture which also contains at least one other compound which is UV absorbing to a sufficient extent that said pyridine mixture is not UV grade, said mixture being obtained from the condensation reaction, over an effective catalyst, of one of more aldehydes and/or ketones with one or more amines and/or ammonia, comprises recovering from said mixture a pyridine-water azeotrope effective to separate pyridine therefrom sufficiently free of UV-absorbing compounds to be UV grade.

Abstract: A process for preparing pyridine or alkyl substituted pyridines in high yield, comprises reacting a C.sub.2-5 -aldehyde, a C.sub.3-5 -ketone or a mixture thereof, ammonia and, optionally, formaldehyde, in the gas phase in contact with a fluidized or otherwise movable bed of a catalytically effective amount of a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite catalyst in the acidic form and having a constraint index of about 1 to about 12, with an actual contact time of the reactants with the catalyst which is at least as great as said actual contact time when the reaction is conducted in a 1 inch diameter fluid bed reactor with a pseudo contact time of at least about 2.5 seconds.

Abstract: A method for making monocarboxylic acids and esters comprising contacting carbon monoxide and a monohydric alcohol containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the presence of a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite having a silica to alumina ratio at least about 6 and a constraint index within the approximate range of 1 to 12 under a pressure of at least one atmosphere. Also coproduced are hydrocarbons, particularly ethylene and "gasoline".

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of carboxylic acid anhydride in high yield by the carbonylation of a liquid reaction mixture comprising a carboxylic acid ester using synthesis gas in the presence of a noble metal catalyst and iodide promoter. The improved process is carried out in the presence of a carboxylic acid inhibitor, preferably having an acyl group corresponding to the acyl moiety of the carboxylic acid ester, in a side-reaction-inhibiting amount to the liquid reaction mixture. The formation of undesirable by-products, particularly methane, is reduced and a hydrogen enriched gas is produced.