Abstract: A process for producing an aromatic hydroxy compound having hydroxyl group at the para-position with respect to a hydroxy or an alkoxy substituent group present in the aromatic ring at a high yield and at a high selectivity, using a novel and useful hydroxylation catalyst which can afford to introduce hydroxyl group directly into aromatic ring at the para-position with respect to a hydroxy or an alkoxy substituent group, by reacting at least one compound selected from the group consisting of phenols, alkoxybenzenes and derivatives of them with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of the catalyst, wherein the hydroxylation catalyst is constituted of an oleophilized crystalline titanosilicate.

Abstract: Cyclohexyl acetate is produced by reacting acetic acid with cyclohexene in the presence of a heteropolyacid mainly composed of oxides of tungsten as a catalyst. The heteropolyacid may have water of crystallization adjusted to the amount of average 3.0 molecules or less per one molecule of the heteropolyacid. Cyclohexyl acetate can be produced in high selectivity and high conversion. The catalyst is effective even at a low temperature and stable even at a high temperature.

Abstract: Ethyl acetate is produced in good yield by reacting ethylene with acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst comprising a tungstophosphoric acid of which 10-90% of the total amount of proton is replaced with a member selected from the group consisting of (a) cesium metal cation, (b) a combination of cesium metal cation and at least one cation selected from alkali metal cations other than cesium cation, and (c) a combination of cesium metal cation and at least one cation of iron group metal cations.

Abstract: A process for producing a low sulfur content fuel oil in a high yield from a starting oil having a high sulfur content, which comprises (1) treating a residual petroleum oil with hydrogen at a temperature of about 350.degree. to 450.degree. C and a pressure of about 50 to 200 Kg/cm.sup.2 at a liquid hourly space velocity of about 0.2 to 4 l/H.l in the presence of a catalyst, (2) introducing an inert gas or steam at a temperature of about 400.degree. to 900.degree.C and pyrolyzing the treated oil at a temperature of about 350.degree. to 500.degree.C and at a pressure of about atmospheric pressure to 100 Kg/cm.sup.2 with a residence time of about 0.5 to 10 hours, and (3) hydrodesulfurizing the pyrolyzed oil at a temperature of about 300.degree. to 400.degree.C and a pressure of about 30 to 100 Kg/cm.sup.2 at a liquid hourly space velocity of about 0.5 to 4 l/H.l in the presence of a desulfurizing catalyst.