Abstract: A catalyst for producing phenol consisting essentially of a nickel compound supported on a metal oxide carrier, or a catalyst for producing phenol consisting essentially of iron oxide and nickel oxide, and processes for producing phenol using either of the above catalyst. The catalysts of the invention exercise a high conversion of benzoic acid and a high selectivity to phenol, and phenol can be produced in a high yield, particularly in a high space time yield through the processes of the invention using the above catalysts. The above conversion, selectivity and space time yield can be improved by calcining the catalyst at 600.degree. to 900.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of naphthalene mono or polycarboxylic acids, such as 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, is disclosed which includes oxidizing a naphthalene compound such as 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene in a specific solvent with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalyst containing a heavy metal compound and a bromine compound. The solvent is an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid and may further contain benzene and/or water. By controlling the ratio of the amount of catalyst metal to the feed rate of the raw material naphthalene compound, the yield of desired product can be controlled.

Abstract: A method of separating 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene from a mixture containing 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene and structural isomers thereof including the 2,7-isomer is disclosed, wherein the mixture is first subjected to a selective adsorption and desorption treatment using a zeolite absorbent capable of adsorbing the 2,7-isomer to obtain a first extract containing the sorbed 2,7-isomer and a first raffinate containing non-sorbed isomers including the 2,6-isomer, the 2,6-isomer being thereafter separated from the first raffinate.

Abstract: A process for the production of 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene is disclosed wherein an isopropylation reaction mixture containing isopropylated naphthalenes is subjected to transalkylation with a triisopropylnaphthalene-containing mixture to obtain a mixture containing mono-, di- and tri-isopropylnaphthalenes which is then separated into a first fraction containing monisopropylnaphthalenes, a second fraction containing diisopropylnaphthalenes and a third fraction containing triisopropylnaphthalenes. The first and third fractions are recycled to the above system, while the second fraction is subjected to separation treatments for the recovery of 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene. The second fraction from which 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene has been removed is subjected to transalkylation with naphthalene to obtain a monoisopropylnaphthalene-rich mixture which is to be fed to the isopropylation step.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an alkali metal salt of 2,3,6,7-naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid. Either a sodium salt or a mixture of sodium salt and potassium salt of at least one naphthalenecarboxylic acid selected form the group consisting of naphthoic acids and naphthalenepolycarboxylic acids is heated to an elevated temperature in an inert gas atmosphere in the presence of a Henkel reaction catalyst and halogenated sodium.

Abstract: A powder of a slag formed at the time of manufacturing steel is used to remove heavy metals contained in waste water. After the use the slag may be heated to recover the heavy metals adsorbed thereby or the used slag may be formed into solid blocks, ballast or aggregate by admixing with Portland cement or alumina cement.