Abstract: This invention pertains to a process for preparing polyhydroxy aromatic compounds by reacting an alkali metal hydroxide with a hydroxymononuclear aromatic compound, e.g., phenol or resorcinol. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a metallic hydrogenation catalyst, suitably nickel, or cobalt, the metal being present in an amount sufficient for catalyzing the reaction. The polyhydroxy aromatic compound is then formed by adding a protonating agent to the reaction product, with the protonating agent liberating the hydroxy compound from the salt.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a process for preparing hydroxy mononuclear aromatic compounds by reacting an alkali metal hydroxide with a mononuclear aromatic compound, e.g., benzene, xylene or toluene. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a metallic hydrogenation catalyst, suitably copper, nickel, rhodium or cobalt, the metal being present in an amount sufficient for catalyzing the reaction. The hydroxy mononuclear aromatic compound is then formed by adding a protonating agent to the resulting reaction product, with the protonating agent liberating the hydroxy compound from the salt.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a process for treating a flue gas with a spiking gas containing sulfur trioxide. In this process, the concentration of sulfur trioxide in the spiking gas is maintained in a proportion of from about 0.15 to 1.2 mol percent, and the temperature of the spiking gas is maintained such that during any stage of mixing of the spiking gas with the flue gas, the resulting temperature of the mixture is not more than 10.degree. C below the dew point, the dew point being determined by equation.