Abstract: Provided is a facile three step process for preparing 2-phenylterephthalic acid starting with p-xylene, followed by alkylation, dehydrogenation, and oxidation of the methyl groups corresponding to the origional p-xylene. The product, 2-phenylterephthalic acid, is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of polyesters comprised of residues of 2-phenylterephthalic acid.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing 2,5-diphenylterephthalic acid, which is useful in preparing certain polyesters, especially liquid-crystalline polyesters. In this process, p-xylene is di-alkylated with cyclohexene to provide 2,5-dicyclo-hexyl-p-xylene, which is in turn dehydrogenated to provide 2,5-diphenylxylene. 2,5-Diphenylxylene is then oxidized to provide 2,5-diphenylterephthalic acid by utilization of a cobaltous/manganous/bromide oxidation system.

Abstract: A method of preparing an aryl alkene compound comprising reacting an iodoaromatic compound an alkene and an alkanol in the presence of a palladium catalyst and the absence of a Bronsted base.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for dehydrohalogenating an aromatic bromide or iodide by contacting the aromatic halide with hydrogen at elevated pressure in the presence of an alkyl halide-forming compound and a Group VIII metal catalyst. The presence of the alkyl halide-forming compound, such as an alkanol, diol, triol or derivative thereof, facilitates the dehydrohalogenation reaction and permits the recovery of the halogen ad alkyl halides from which the bromide and iodide values can be economically recovered.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of an aryloxyacetic acid by oxidation of aryloxyethanol of the formula: ##STR1## wherein m represents 1 or 2,n represents the numeral which results from the difference between 6 and m and R either individually or independently of one another represents hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalky, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkoxy, aryloxy, halogen, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, carboxyl or nitro, or represents a benzene ring fused to the phenyl ring, in an aqueous alkaline reaction medium at a temperature in the range of 0.degree. C. to the boiling point of the reaction medium in the presence of a catalytic amount of a catalyst comprised of palladium, silver and optionally antimony, and carbon to form the corresponding alkali metal ester and contacting the alkali metal with a mineral acid.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of an aryloxyacetic acid/hydroxyethyl ether by oxidation of aryloxyethanol of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R either individually or independently of one another represents hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkoxy, aryloxy, halogen, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, carboxyl or nitro, or represents a benzene ring fused to the phenyl ring, in an aqueous alkaline reaction medium at a temperature in the range of 0.degree. C. to the boiling point of the reaction medium in the presence of a catalytic amount of a catalyst comprised of palladium, bismuth, and carbon in the presence of a phenol corresponding to the structure: ##STR2## wherein R is as described above and p is 0, 1 or 2, to form the corresponding alkali metal ester/hydroxyethyl ether after catalyst removal the alkali metal ester is contacted with a mineral acid.