Abstract: A process is provided for the skeletal isomerization of straight chain olefins to branched chain olefins wherein the olefin is contacted with an activated alumina catalyst which has a particle size of from about 0.5.times.10.sup.-3 cm to about 160.times.10.sup.-3 cm and at least 10% of the pore volume is attributable to pores having radii between about 100 and 10,000 Angstroms.

Abstract: A process is provided for the skeletal isomerization of straight chain olefins to branched chain olefins by contact at an elevated temperature with a chlorine- or fluorine-containing compound activated alumina catalyst, the alumina having an average particle size of from about 0.5.times.10.sup.-3 cm to about 160.times.10.sup.-3 cm and from 3 to 9% of the pore volume being attributable to pores having radii from about 100 to about 10,000 Angstroms.

Abstract: A process for making styrene by the cracking of beta-phenethyl acetate wherein the beta-phenethyl acetate is derived from the esterification of beta-phenethyl alcohol. The latter is derived from the homologation of benzyl alcohol-benzyl acetate mixtures. The esterification of the beta-phenethyl alcohol may be partial because it has been found that up to 20% by weight of beta-phenethyl alcohol may be fed to the cracking step and also converted to styrene. Benzyl alcohol and benzyl acetate can also be fed to the cracking step because it has been found that they are essentially inert at cracking conditions.