Abstract: A process for improving the color of oxygenates, such as MTBE, ETBE and TAME, which utilizes a hydrogenation treater in the presence of a catalyst, containing at least one noble metal, along with a circulation of hydrogen to remove the color. The process reduces existing color bodies in the oxygenate and may proceed at room temperature and at normal pressure for economically providing a completely clear product having a +30 saybolt number.

Abstract: Disclosed are the improvements of a process for the preparation of a purified 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl (meth)acrylate and 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl (meth)acrylate which is prepared by the improvements, including only minor amounts of polymers having a low molecular weight composed of 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl (meth)acrylate itself.Furthermore, disclosed is a 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl (meth)acrylate composition which has an excellent resistance to coloring, including a specified organic phosphorous compound.

Abstract: Disclosed are the improvements of a process for the preparation of a purified 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl (meth)acrylate and 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl (meth)acrylate which is prepared by the improvements, including only minor amounts of polymers having a low molecular weight composed of 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl (meth)acrylate itself.Furthermore, disclosed is a 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl (meth)acrylate composition which has an excellent resistance to coloring, including a specified organic phosphorous compound.

Abstract: A method for improving the conversion of isobutylene in the MTBE reaction process while simultaneously producing a substantially methanol-free MTBE utilizes an increased methanol to isobutylene molar ratio in the reaction process and methanol-free C4 hydrocarbons as reflux. The use of a methanol-free C4 hydrocarbon stream as reflux eliminates the excess methanol generated by increasing the methanol to isobutylene molar ratio without requiring a higher reflux ratio or changing operating conditions. The method permits isobutylene conversion of more than 98% while producing a purified MTBE with less than 0.5% methanol content.

Abstract: Disclosed are the improvements of a process for the preparation of a purified 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl(meth)acrylate and 3,4-epoxyeyclohexyl methyl(meth)acrylate which is prepared by the improvements, including only minor amounts of polymers having a low molecular weight composed of 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl(meth)acrylate itself.Furthermore, disclosed is a 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl methyl(meth)acrylate composition which has an excellent resistance to coloring, including a specified organic phosphorous compound.

Abstract: In a process for the recovery of acetic acid by extracting acetic acid from an aqueous acetic acid solution containing a metallic salt of sulfuric acid with an organic extractant comprising a tertiary amine and an organic diluent and recovering acetic acid from the liquid extract, a mixture of a tertiary amine containing sulfuric acid and an organic diluent is used as an organic extractant so as to suppress energy consumption and to increase extraction efficiency.

Abstract: Acetic anhydride is recovered from a mixture of acetic anhydride, acetic acid and water by contacting the mixture with at least one extraction solvent selected from the group consisting of a hydrophobic, organic solvent, a ketone and an ester to extract and recover acetic anhydride.

Abstract: In extracting a solute from an aqueous solution using a mixer-settler extractor and an organic extractant comprising a mixture of a tertiary amine and an organic diluent, the extractor is operated while the liquid phase inside the mixer thereof is kept in a state of solvent dispersion. Thus, the mixer-settler extractor can be operated efficiently.

Abstract: Allyl alcohol is hydroformylated with a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, in an aromatic hydrocarbon, in the presence of a rhodium complex and a trisubstituted phosphine, to form hydroxybutyraldehydes which are separated from the reaction mixture within an aqueous medium. The carbon monoxide partial pressure, the rate of consumption of carbon monoxide, the rate at which the carbon monoxide is dissolved in the reaction mixture, reaction temperature and the viscosity of the reaction mixture are selected and controlled in an interrelated way to give a high yield of 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde and reduced catalyst consumption.

Abstract: In extracting object material from its aqueous solution by using an organic solvent, a mixer-settler extractor is employed as the extractor and operated while a solvent dispersion is maintained in the mixer, and part of the aqueous phase discharged from the settler is recycled to the mixer so that the organic solvent phase in the mixer is stably maintained as the disperse phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering acetic acid by extracting from an acetic acid-containing aqueous solution with an organic extracting agent and subjecting the extract to distillation, said method comprising the first step of performing extraction by using a tertiary amine having a boiling point higher than that of acetic acid and being capable of forming a non-aqueus phase as the organic extracting agent in combination with an oxygen-containing, high-boiling-point organic solvent selected from the group consisting of di-isobutylcarbinol, isophorene, methyl benzoate, tributyl phosphate, 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanone and 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, the second step of performing dehydration by subjecting the extract to distillation, and the third step of subjecting the dehydrated mixture to distillation in a reduced pressure distillation column at a column bottom temperature of 120.degree. to 170.degree. C. to distill acetic acid and separate it from the organic extracting agent.