Abstract: A process for the industrial production of ethylene oxide and an aromatic acid by reacting oxygen with ethylene and a methyl aromatic compound in the liquid phase. Oxygen and ethylene are passed into a liquid mono or poly methyl aromatic compound and reacted therein to produce ethylene oxide and methyl aromatic oxidates. The aromatic oxidates are then further oxidized to produce aromatic acids. When the methyl aromatic compound used is toluene the acid produced is benzoic acid, from p-xylene, terephthalic acid is produced; from m-xylene isophthalic acid is produced; and from pseudocumene (1, 2, 4 trimethyl benzene) trimellitic acid is produced.

Abstract: Glycol esters of an olefin are prepared by contacting an olefin and a molecular oxygen containing gas in a carboxylic acid medium in the presence of a catalyst. Selectivities to the desired glycol esters are improved by treating the viscous residue and the precursor light components separated from the oxidation effluent by contacting them with water. In a preferred embodiment both residue and precursor light components streams are fed to the same zone wherein they are converted to additional glycol.

Abstract: A polyhydric compound is produced by catalytically disproportionating a precursor which is a lower carboxylate ester of said compound containing at least one lower carboxylate group and at least one free hydroxyl group. Most preferably the invention relates to the production of a diol by the catalytic disproportionation of a lower carboxylate diester of the diol.

Abstract: A polyhydric compound is produced by catalytically disproportionating a precursor which is a lower carboxylate ester of said compound containing at least one lower carboxylate group and at least one free hydroxyl group. Most preferably the invention relates to the production of a diol by the catalylic disproportionation of a lower carboxylate diester of the diol.

Abstract: Oximes and hydroxylamines are prepared by reacting a primary amine, the amino group of which is attached to a primary or secondary carbon atom, with an organic hydroperoxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of a compound of Ti, V, Cr, Se, Zr, Nb, Mo, Te, Ta, W, Re, or U.

Abstract: The acidic catalyst characteristics of a reaction mixture resulting from a catalytic epoxidation are reduced whereby dehydration of by-product alcohol is suppressed during subsequent work-up procedures. This reduction is effected by catalytic hydrogenation, chemical reduction or the addition of a basic material.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the treatment of reaction mixtures which result from the metal catalyzed epoxidation of olefinically unsaturated compounds to the corresponding oxirane compound using organic hydroperoxides.