Abstract: Ethylene glycol mono- and dialkanoates are produced by the vapor phase reaction of ethylene, molecular oxygen, and a lower alkanoic acid at about 150.degree. C.-225.degree. C. in the presence of an iodine source and a catalyst consisting essentially of bismuth-stabilized TeO.sub.2 on a carbon support.

Abstract: N-substituted cyclic imides of diacids such as oxydiacetic acid and N-substituted iminodiacetic acid are produced by contacting a hydroxy amide of the formulaHOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --A--CH.sub.2 --CONHRwith a reduced copper dehydrogenation catalyst at a temperature of about 200.degree.-30 .degree. C, A representing --O-- or ##STR1## and R and R' being hydrocarbon groups of 1-8 carbon atoms. The reaction is preferably conducted in the presence of hydrogen and the diol corresponding to the hydroxyamide. The process is essentially a means of making oxydiacetic acid or iminodiacetic acid from diethylene glycol or diethanolamine respectively as the original starting material. These dicarboxylic acids are useful chelating agents, particularly for Ca and Mg ions, they are intermediates in chemical syntheses, and they are difunctional monomers for making polyester plastics.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide and lower alkyl mercaptans are selectively extracted from a gas stream by contacting the stream with piperazinone or an alkyl substituted piperazinone which may contain a substantial proportion of water. The absorbed sulfur compounds can be regenerated by heating the extraction liquid to about 85.degree.-150.degree. C.

Abstract: The hydrolysis of carbon oxysulfide is catalyzed by piperazinone and alkyl-substituted piperazinones at ambient or below ambient temperatures. The hydrolysis step can be combined with a sour gas purification process in the treatment of refinery gases, coal gasification streams, and other such gases which contain COS and other acidic contaminants.

Abstract: N-substituted cyclic imides of diacids such as oxydiacetic acid and N-substituted iminodiacetic acid are produced by contacting a hydroxy amide of the formulaHOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -A-CH.sub.2 -CONHRwith a reduced copper dehydrogenation catalyst at a temperature of about 200.degree.-300.degree. C, A representing --O--or ##STR1## and R and R' being hydrocarbon groups of 1-8 carbon atoms. The reaction is preferably conducted in the presence of hydrogen and the diol corresponding to the hydroxyamide. The process is essentially a means of making oxydiacetic acid or iminodiacetic acid from diethylene glycol or diethanolamine respectively as the original starting material. These dicarboxylic acids are useful chelating agents, particularly for Ca and Mg ions, they are intermediates in chemical syntheses, and they are difunctional monomers for making polyester plastics.

Abstract: Morpholinones are efficient selective solvents for aromatic hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon mixtures containing same. For example, N-methyl-3-morpholinone is an efficient selective solvent for benzene, toluene, and xylene from a hydrocarbon stream obtained from a catalytic reformer.