Abstract: Provided are compounds of the following: wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon optionally substituted with an alkyl and/or an OXO-ester, and R2 is a C4 to C14 hydrocarbyl, preferably the residue of a C4 to C14 OXO-alcohol. Also provided are processes for making the compounds and plasticized polymer compositions containing said compounds.

Abstract: In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to the corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid, a reaction medium comprising a hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide of the general formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or from the groups SO3H, NH2, OH and NO2, or from the atoms H, F, Cl, Br and I provided that R1 and R2 can be linked to one another via a covalent bond; each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from C, CH, N, and CR3; each of X and Z is independently selected from C, S, CH2, N, P and an element of Group 4 of the Periodic Table; Y is O or OH; k is 0, 1, or 2; l is 0, 1, or 2; m is 1 to 3; and R3 can be any of the entities listed for R1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogenation process that may be used in connection with the production of phenol. In the process, a composition comprising: (i) cyclohexylbenzene; and (ii) a hydrogenable component are contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions. The hydrogenable component can be one or more of an olefin, a ketone or phenol. The hydrogenation catalyst has hydrogenation component and a support.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing phenol or a substituted phenol and a co-product comprising the steps of (i) contacting a first stream comprising an alkylaromatic compound with a second stream comprising an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a first catalyst comprising a cyclic imide under conditions to convert at least a portion of said alkylaromatic compound to an alkylaromatic hydroperoxide, (ii) producing an effluent stream comprising said cyclic imide, said alkylaromatic hydroperoxide, and said alkylaromatic compound wherein said effluent stream has an alkylaromatic hydroperoxide concentration of from 10 to 40 wt %; and (iii) contacting in a second reactor at least a portion of said effluent stream with a second catalyst to convert said alkylaromatic hydroperoxide to a product stream comprising phenol and said co-product.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing a composition comprising contacting an alkylbenzene of the general formula (I): where R1 and R2 each independently represents hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein R1 and R2 may be joined to form a cyclic group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, the cyclic group being optionally substituted, and R3 represents hydrogen, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group; and (ii) about 0.05 wt % to about 5 wt % of phenol, with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst containing a cyclic imide having the general formula (II): wherein X represents an oxygen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acyloxy group under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the alkylbenzene to a hydroperoxide.

Abstract: In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to a product comprising at least one of the corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid, the hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing compound in at least one oxidation zone in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide having an imide group of formula (I): wherein X represents an oxygen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acyloxy group and wherein the oxygen-containing compound supplied to said at least one oxidation zone has a water content of less than or equal to 0.6% by weight of the oxygen-containing compound.

Abstract: In a process for producing phenol or a substituted phenol, an alkylaromatic hydroperoxide having a general formula (I): in which R1 and R2 each independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, provided that R1 and R2 may be joined to form a cyclic group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, said cyclic group being optionally substituted, and R3 represents hydrogen, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group, is contacted with a catalyst comprising an oxide of at least one metal from Groups 3 to 5 and Groups 7 to 14 of the Periodic Table of the Elements and an oxide of at least one metal from Group 6 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogenation process that may be used in connection with the production of phenol. In the process, a composition comprising: (i) cyclohexylbenzene; and (ii) a hydrogenable component are contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions. The hydrogenable component can be one or more of an olefin, a ketone or phenol. The hydrogenation catalyst has hydrogenation component and a support.

Abstract: Provided are processes for making, and processes for using triglycerides as plasticizers. Mixed triglyceride plasticizers can be produced by recovery of linear or branched C4 to C13 aldehydes from a hydroformylation product, oxidation to the acid with oxygen and/or air, recovery of the resulting acid, and esterification with a crude glycerol, wherein the total carbon number of the triester groups is from 20 to 25 for greater than or equal to 45 wt % of the plasticizer. The product selectivity obtained from esterifying with crude glycerol is comparable to that of esterifying with pure glycerol. Such plasticizers can be phthalate-free and provide outstanding properties including a suitable melting or glass transition or pour point, low volatility, increased compatibility, and excellent low temperature properties in a range of polymeric resins.

Abstract: In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon is contacted with oxygen in the presence of an N-substituted cyclic imide and under conditions to oxidize the hydrocarbon to produce an oxidized hydrocarbon product and at least one decomposition product of the N-substituted cyclic imide. At least a portion of the at least one decomposition product is contacted with hydroxylamine or a salt thereof under conditions to convert the at least one decomposition product back to said imide.

Abstract: Hindered cyclic polyamines and their salts are absorbents useful in acid gas treatment processes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing phenol or a substituted phenol and a co-product comprising the steps of (i) contacting a first stream comprising an alkylaromatic compound with a second stream comprising an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a first catalyst comprising a cyclic imide under conditions to convert at least a portion of said alkylaromatic compound to an alkylaromatic hydroperoxide, (ii) producing an effluent stream comprising said cyclic imide, said alkylaromatic hydroperoxide, and said alkylaromatic compound wherein said effluent stream has an alkylaromatic hydroperoxide concentration of from 10 to 40 wt %; and (iii) contacting in a second reactor at least a portion of said effluent stream with a second catalyst to convert said alkylaromatic hydroperoxide to a product stream comprising phenol and said co-product.

Abstract: In a process for producing phenol or a substituted phenol, an alkylaromatic hydroperoxide having a general formula (I): in which R1 and R2 each independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, provided that R1 and R2 may be joined to form a cyclic group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, said cyclic group being optionally substituted, and R3 represents hydrogen, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group, is contacted with a catalyst comprising an oxide of at least one metal from Groups 3 to 5 and Groups 7 to 14 of the Periodic Table of the Elements and an oxide of at least one metal from Group 6 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Abstract: A process for producing phenol and methyl ethyl ketone comprises contacting benzene and a C4 olefin under alkylation conditions and in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce an alkylation effluent comprising sec-butylbenzene and C8+ olefins. The alkylation effluent is then treated to reduce the amount of said C8+ olefins and produce a treated effluent, whereafter the sec-butylbenzene in the treated effluent is oxidized to produce a hydroperoxide and the hydroperoxide is cleaved to produce phenol and methyl ethyl ketone.

Abstract: Provided are processes for making, and processes for using triglycerides as plasticizers. Mixed triglyceride plasticizers can be produced by recovery of linear or branched C4 to C13 aldehydes from a hydroformylation product, oxidation to the acid with oxygen and/or air, recovery of the resulting acid, and esterification with a crude glycerol, wherein the total carbon number of the triester groups is from 20 to 25 for greater than or equal to 45 wt % of the plasticizer. The product selectivity obtained from esterifying with crude glycerol is comparable to that of esterifying with pure glycerol. Such plasticizers can be phthalate-free and provide outstanding properties including a suitable melting or glass transition or pour point, low volatility, increased compatibility, and excellent low temperature properties in a range of polymeric resins.

Abstract: In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to the corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid, a reaction medium comprising a hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide of the general formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or from the groups SO3H, NH2, OH and NO2, or from the atoms H, F, Cl, Br and I provided that R1 and R2 can be linked to one another via a covalent bond; each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from C, CH, N, and CR3; each of X and Z is independently selected from C, S, CH2, N, P and an element of Group 4 of the Periodic Table; Y is O or OH; k is 0, 1, or 2; l is 0, 1, or 2; m is 1 to 3; and R3 can be any of the entities listed for R1.

Abstract: A process for producing phenol and methyl ethyl ketone comprises contacting benzene and a C4 olefin under alkylation conditions and in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce an alkylation effluent comprising sec-butylbenzene and C8+ olefins. The alkylation effluent is then treated to reduce the amount of said C8+ olefins and produce a treated effluent, whereafter the sec-butylbenzene in the treated effluent is oxidized to produce a hydroperoxide and the hydroperoxide is cleaved to produce phenol and methyl ethyl ketone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of esters. In particular, the process includes contacting an olefin or an ether with carbon monoxide and an acid composition comprising BF3.2CH3OH to from a product composition, adding an alcohol to the product composition, and separating the BF3.2CH3OH from the ester. The separated BF3.2CH3OH may then be recycled to the reaction unit.

Abstract: A method for production of pivalic acid comprising the steps of: (a) reacting isobutylene, carbon monoxide, and a first catalyst to produce a reaction mixture; (b) contacting the reaction mixture with water, thereby producing a crude acid product having pivalic acid and oligomeric neo-carboxylic acid; (c) separating the pivalic acid and the oligomeric neo-carboxylic acid from the crude acid product; (d) reacting the oligomeric neo-carboxylic acid with a source of carbon monoxide at a temperature of less than 200° C. in the presence of a second catalyst to produce a C5 carbocation product, wherein the first and second catalyst are either the same or different; and (e) reacting the C5 carbocation product with water; thereby producing pivalic acid having an overall yield of at least 80 wt. %.

Abstract: A method for production of pivalic acid comprising the steps of: (a) reacting isobutylene, carbon monoxide, and a first catalyst to produce a reaction mixture; (b) contacting the reaction mixture with water, thereby producing a crude acid product having pivalic acid and oligomeric neo-carboxylic acid; (c) then separating the pivalic acid and the oligomeric neo-carboxylic acid from the crude acid product; (d) then reacting the oligomeric neo-carboxylic acid with a source of carbon monoxide at a temperature of less than 200° C. in the presence of a second catalyst to produce a C5 carbocation product, wherein the first and second catalyst are either the same or different; and (e) reacting the C5 carbocation product with water; thereby producing pivalic acid having an overall yield of at least 80 wt. %.