Abstract: Tertiary butyl alcohol is prepared by the catalytic decomposition of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, preferably in solution in tertiary butyl alcohol, in the presence of a metal phthalocyanine catalyst promoted with a C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 thiol and a free radical inhibitor, such as a phthalocyanine of a metal of Group IB, Group VIIB or Group VIIIB of the Periodic Table (e.g., chloroferric phthalocyanine, dodecane thiol and 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene).

Abstract: Tertiary butyl alcohol is prepared by the catalytic decomposition of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, preferably in solution in tertiary butyl alcohol, in the presence of a metal porphine catalyst, optionally promoted with a C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 alkyl thiol and an amine, such as an iron (III) or manganese (III) porphine and, optionally, a thiol such as dodecane thiol and an amine, such as a heterocyclic amine (e.g., pyridine, quinoline, isoquinoline, imidazole or a 1-alkyl or 2-alkyl imidazole).

Abstract: Tertiary butyl alcohol is prepared by the catalytic decomposition of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, preferably in solution in tertiary butyl alcohol, in the presence of a base-promoted metal phthalocyanine catalyst, such as a phthalocyanine of a metal of Group IB, Group VIIB or Group VIIIB of the Periodic Table (e.g., chloroferric phthalocyanine and a base having a pH greater than about 7.5 when 0.10 mole is dissolved in one liter of water, such as sodium carbonate, sodium acetate, sodium phosphate, ammonium hydrogen phosphate, lithium carbonate, etc.).

Abstract: In order to prepare a feedstock, isobutane is reacted with oxygen in an oxidation zone to provide an oxidation product comprising a solution of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide in unreacted isobutane. A catalyst may be present to catalyze the reaction of the oxygen with the isobutane if desired.The feedstock is charged to a catalytic decomposition zone wherein the tertiary butyl hydroperoxide is decomposed in the presence of an imidazole-promoted metal phthalocyanine catalyst to provide a decomposition reaction product characterized by a compartively high conversion rate and a compartively high selectively of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to tertiary butyl alcohol.

Abstract: Tertiary butyl alcohol is prepared by the catalytic decomposition of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, preferably in solution in tertiary butyl alcohol, in the presence of a metal phthalocyanine catalyst promoted with a rhenium compound, such as a phthalocyanine of a metal of Group IB, Group VIIB or Group VIIIB of the Periodic Table (e.g., chloroferric phthalocyanine and rhenium heptoxide-p-dioxane or oxotrichloro-bis-(triphenylphosphine) rhenium V).

Abstract: It has been discovered in accordance with the present invention that a tertiary butyl alcohol/ditertiary butyl peroxide azeotrope may be recovered from a product containing tertiary butyl alcohol and ditertiary butyl perioxide by distilling the tertiary butyl alcohol product to obtain an overhead fraction containing substantially all of the ditertiary butyl peroxide as a ditertiary butyl peroxide/tertiary butyl alcohol azeotrope and other contaminants.It has been further discovered in accordance with the present invention that the ditertiary butyl peroxide can be recovered from the distillate fraction by extraction with water (e.g., in a countercurrent water extraction tower) to provide a ditertiary butyl peroxide product of any desired degree of purity.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the synthesis of phenol and acetone by decomposition over a heterogeneous catalyst from the group consisting of a heteropoly acid on an inert support or an ion exchange resin with a sulfonic acid functionality. The method allows for quantitative conversions with yields of up to >99 mole % or better.

Abstract: A hydroperoxide charge stock (t-butyl hydroperoxide or t-amyl hydroperoxide) is reacted with a C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 olefin charge stock in liquid phase in a reaction zone in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a soluble molybdenum catalyst to form a product olefin epoxide corresponding to the olefin charge stock and a product alcohol corresponding to the hydroperoxide charge (t-butyl alcohol or t-amyl alcohol), which process is improved in accordance with the present invention by maintaining a reaction medium composed of more than 60 wt % of polar components (hydroperoxide charge stock, product alcohol and product epoxide) in the reaction zone by charging to the reaction zone at least about a 30 wt % solution of the hydroperoxide charge stock in the corresponding product alcohol and charging said olefin charge stock to said reaction zone in an amount relative to the amount of said charged solution of charged hydroperoxide in product alcohol sufficient to provide a ratio of from about 0.

Abstract: Motor-fuel grade tertiary butyl alcohol contaminated with residual amounts of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide and ditertiary butyl peroxide (which is prepared, for example, by reacting propylene with tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to form propylene oxide and a motor fuel grade tertiary butyl alcohol reaction product) can be effectively catalytically treated under mild conversion conditions including a temperature of about 80.degree. to 200.degree. C. with a catalyst consisting essentially of nickel, copper, chromium and barium to substantially selectively convert the two peroxide contaminants to tertiary butyl alcohol and to thereby provide a treated tertiary butyl alcohol product substantially free from contaminating quantities of such peroxides.

Abstract: Complexes are made by reacting a solid ammoniummolybdate and a solid alkali metal molybdate with ethylene -glycol. Stripping of water of reaction subsequent to complex formation is preferred. The ratio of moles of alkylene glycol to total gram atoms of molybdenum should be in the range from about 7:1 to about 20:1 and the ratio of gram atoms of molybdenum in the ammonium molybdate to gram atoms of molybdenum in the alkali metal molybdenum should be in the range of about 1:1 to about 20:1. Solutions of the complexes are excellent catalysts for the reaction of propylene with an organic hydroperoxide such as tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to form propylene oxide and tertiary butyl alcohol.

Abstract: It has been discovered in accordance in accordance with the present invention that a tertiary butyl alcohol/ditertiary butyl peroxide azeotrope may be recovered from a product containing tertiary butyl alcohol and ditertiary butyl peroxide by distilling the tertiary butyl alcohol product to obtain an overhead fraction containing substantially all of the ditertiary butyl peroxide/tertiary butyl alcohol azeotrope and other contaminants.It has been further discovered in accordance with the present invention that the ditertiary butyl peroxide can be recovered from the distillate fraction by extraction with ethylene glycol (e.g., in a countercurrent ethylene glycol extraction tower) to provide a ditertiary butyl peroxide product of any desired degree of purity.

Abstract: The oxidation of isobutane in the presence of a novel, soluble catalyst of the formula Fe.sub.3 O(Pivalate).sub.6 (MeOH).sub.3 Cl is disclosed. Tertiary-Butyl alcohol, tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide, and acetone are produced. A significant increase in isobutane conversion is obtained without a large decrease in selectivity to tertiary-butyl alcohol and tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide using a small amount of catalyst. Tertiary-butyl alcohol is useful as a gasoline additive and tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide is used for the production of propylene oxide. Acetone has a variety of uses as well.

Abstract: The oxidation of isobutane in the presence of a novel, soluble propylene glycol/vanadium catalyst is disclosed. Tertiary-butyl alcohol, tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide, and acetone are produced. A significant increase in isobutane conversion is obtained without a large decrease in selectivity to tertiary-butyl alcohol and tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide using a small amount of catalyst. Tertiary-butyl alcohol is useful as a gasoline additive and tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide is used for the production of propylene oxide. Acetone has a variety of uses as well.

Abstract: Motor-fuel grade tertiary butyl alcohol contaminated with residual amounts of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide and ditertiary butyl peroxide (which is prepared, for example, by reacting propylene with tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to form propylene oxide and a motor fuel grade tertiary butyl alcohol reaction product) can be effectively catalytically treated under mild conversion conditions including a temperature of about 80.degree. to 180.degree. C. with a base-treated hydrogenation catalyst from groups VIB or VIIIB of the Periodic Table in order to substantially selectively convert the two peroxide contaminants to tertiary butyl alcohol and to thereby provide a treated tertiary butyl alcohol product substantially free from contaminating quantities of such peroxides.

Abstract: Complexes made by reacting propylene glycol with a vanadium compound soluble therein at an elevated temperature. Mild stripping of the water subsequent to complex formation is preferred. The ratio of moles of propylene glycol to gram atoms of vanadium in the complex forming reaction ranges from 7:1 to 20:1.

Abstract: Motor-fuel grade tertiary butyl alcohol which is prepared, for example, by reacting propylene with tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to form propylene oxide and a tertiary butyl alcohol reaction product contaminated with residual amounts of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide and ditertiary butyl peroxide can be effectively catalytically treated under mild conversion conditions including a temperature of about 80.degree. to 280.degree. C. with a catalyst composed of iron, copper, chromia and cobalt, or the oxides thereof in order to substantially selectively convert the two peroxide contaminants to tertiary butyl alcohol and to thereby provide a treated tertiary butyl alcohol product substantially free from contaminating quantities of such peroxides.

Abstract: Motor-fuel grade tertiary butyl alcohol which is prepared, for example, by reacting propylene with tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to form propylene oxide and a tertiary butyl alcohol reaction product contaminated with residual amounts of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide and ditertiary butyl peroxide can be effectively catalytically treated under mild conversion conditions including a temperature of about 80.degree. to 280.degree. C. with an unsupported catalyst composed of nickel, copper, chromia and iron, or the oxides thereof, or a catalyst containing nickel, copper, chromia and iron which is supported on silica in order to substantially selectively convert the two peroxide contaminants to tertiary butyl alcohol and to thereby provide a treated tertiary butyl alcohol product substantially free from contaminating quantities of such peroxides.

Abstract: Complexes are made by reacting a solid ammonium molybdate and a solid alkali metal molybdate with ethylene glycol. Stripping of water of reaction subsequent to complex formation is preferred. The ratio of moles of alkylene glycol to total gram atoms of molybdenum should be in the range from about 7:1 to about 20:1 and the ratio of gram atoms of molybdenum in the ammonium molybdate to gram atoms of molybenum in the alkali metal molybdenum should be in the range of about 1:1 to about 20:1. Solutions of the complexes are excellent catalysts for the reaction of propylene with an organic hydroperoxide such as tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to form proplyene oxide and tertiary butyl alcohol.

Abstract: Methyl formate is removed from propylene oxide by treatment with a selected base such as sodium hydroxide in water and glycerol. Selected inert salts may be added. The rate of methyl formate hydrolysis by selected bases was increased to commercially acceptable levels by addition of the glycerol. The glycerol and inert salts reduced the amount of residual water in the propylene oxide.

Abstract: Methyl formate is removed from propylene oxide by treatment with aqueous calcium hydroxide slurry. Calcium hydroxide solubility is increased by adding a solubilizer selected from the group consisting of sucrose, fructose, maltose, glycerol and mixtures thereof. Methyl formate hydrolysis rate is improved by propylene oxide/water ratio control. Addition of an aldehyde scavenger improves propylene oxide purity.