Abstract: Isobutane is injected into a liquid mixture concurrently with the injection of an oxygen-containing gas. Molybdenum catalyst is present. The oxidation is selective for the formation of tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) so that the proportions of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), acetone, methanol, carbon dioxide or other less desirable products are relatively low. The tertiary butyl hydroperoxide produced by the reaction and/or the di-tertiary butyl peroxide in the reaction mixture remain in the reaction mixture while continuously distilling a product stream rich in tertiary butyl alcohol and those components boiling below TBA. After appropriate processing, such product stream is utilized as a blending component for gasoline.

Abstract: Isobutane is oxidized in a pressurized reactor in the presence of a solubilized molybdenum catalyst to produce a mixture of tertiary butyl alcohol, tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, methanol, acetone, and other oxygen containing compounds. Unreacted isobutane is recycled. Streams of normally gaseous components, comprising carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are withdrawn from the effluent streams. A liquid stream withdrawn from the reactor, after being debutanized, is subjected to a thermal decomposition zone under several atmospheres pressure at about 280.degree. F. for from 2 to about 8 hours to reduce the concentration of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide.The liquid derived from the decomposition zone is distilled to provide a distillate stream comprising predominantly tertiary butyl alcohol and a minor proportion of methanol. Said distillate stream is heat treated to destroy residual TBHP and then transferred to a gasoline blending zone in which it is added to hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Isobutane is oxidized to provide a debutanized oxidate comprising tertiary butyl alcohol, acetone, water and other byproducts including high boiling products. Water is removed by extractive distillation using a combination of water and xylene as the extractant. The molar amount of recycled water is greater than the amount of water to be removed from the oxidate. By thus recirculating water through the decantation zone the acetone is satisfactorily coextracted from the butyl alcohol in such a manner that a stream of acetone and a stream of water, as well as the desired dry stream of tertiary butyl alcohol can be withdrawn. If the water is not recycled, the acetone will concentrate in the upper section of the distillation zone and reduce the volatility of water, thereby inhibiting the water removal from the tertiary butyl alcohol.

Abstract: The severity of oxidation conditions in each of two stages is regulated so that the concentration of metatoluic acid in the liquid does not exceed 2 weight per cent in the first stage and does not exceed 0.4 weight per cent in the second stage. Total impurities and intermediate aromatic oxidation products are thus sufficiently low that the particles of isophthalic acid which grow in the slurry of reaction mixture in acetic acid do not contain an excessive amount of impurities. The flow rates of feed, interstage slurry, and product slurry as expressed in mols of aromatic components per hour are approximately equalized and regulated as a part of the monitoring to assure compliance with such oxidation severity standards, both stages being in the 100.degree.-130.degree.C. range.