Abstract: The mixture from which sulphuric acid must be separated according to the present invention are those which derive from the sulphoxidation of (C.sub.12 -C.sub.8)-n-paraffins with SO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 in the presence of water and of U.V. light at a temperature comprised within the range of from 25 to 50.degree. C., after the removal of n-paraffins, which separate spontaneously, and of SO.sub.2 excess. In order to remove said sulphuric acid, the refined mixture, possibly diluted with water, is mixed with one or more halogenated solvents, the separation being obtained of water and sulphuric acid from the refined mixture, to the total mixture (with the two phases) a cosolvent is added, which is constituted by alcohols or ethers, with the separation being obtained of a phase constituted by H.sub.2 O and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, which is removed. The residual organic phase, practically free from sulphuric acid, is submitted to the removal of solvents and cosolvents by means of conventional techniques.

Abstract: The purpose of the process of the present invention is to remove excess sulfuric acid from a mixture of paraffin-sulfonic acids free or substantially free, from paraffins.In order to remove said sulfuric acid, according to the process of the present invention, the paraffin-sulfonic acid mixture is mixed with one or more halogenated solvent(s), possibly in mixture with sulfuric acid to form a two phase mixture consisting of an organic phase containing paraffin-sulfonic acids dissolved therein and an aqueous phase substantially containing sulfuric acid. The organic phase is then treated with sulfuric acid and the organic phase and aqueous phase are then separated and the organic phase is submitted to evaporation, for the removal of the halogenated solvent(s), and with the concentrated paraffin-sulfonic acids being obtained.

Abstract: Mixtures of C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 n-paraffins with paraffinsulfonic acids having the same number of carbon atoms, water and sulfuric acid, and obtained by sulfoxidation of said paraffins with sulfur dioxide and oxygen in the presence of water and ultraviolet radiation are stripped of their excess sulfur dioxide and decanted to separate most of the paraffins, and obtain a residual mixture.The residual mixture is fed with sulfuric acid until a two-phase system forms or at least until the mixture becomes turbid, and the turbid mixture or that floating on the heavy water-sulfuric acid phase is extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide, which removes with it the paraffins, which can be reused in the sulfoxidation process.

Abstract: In preparing alkanesolfonic acids by sulfoxidation of n-paraffins containing between 12 and 18 carbon atoms, using ultraviolet radiation to initiate the reaction (light-water process), a mixture is obtained which spontaneously allows a substantial part of the unconverted n-paraffins to phase separate from a phase containing the remainder of the reaction mixture containing the alkanesulfonic acids together with water, sulfuric acid and n-paraffins.The remainder of the mixture is fed with one or more alcohols having four or less than four carbon atoms, preferably isopropanol, to form a two-phase mixture.The two-phase mixture is extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide, which extracts the n-paraffins, these being recycled to the sulfoxidation process.The paraffin-free product is suitable for preparing alkane-sulfonates of the desired type by neutralization with suitable bases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the extraction of paraffins from mixtures obtained by the sulfoxidation of paraffins having a number of carbon atoms within the range of 12 to 18, which is characterized in that carbon dioxide is used as the solvent under supercritical conditions.

Abstract: Mixtures of C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 n-paraffins with paraffinsulphonic acids having the same number of carbon atoms, water and sulphuric acid, and obtained by sulphoxidation of said paraffins with SO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 in the presence of water and UV radiation are stripped of their excess SO.sub.2 and decanted to separate most of the paraffins, and obtain a residual mixture. The residual mixture is dehydrated according to the invention until a two-phase system forms or at least until the mixture becomes turbid, and the dehydrated mixture either as such or after separating the heavier phase consisting of water and sulphuric acid is extracted with supercritical CO.sub.2, which removes with it the n-paraffins, these being reused in the sulphoxidation process.

Abstract: A process for preparing an alkaline metal salt of a polyethoxycarboxylic acid defined by the formulaR'(OR).sub.m (OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n-1 (OCH.sub.2)COOMby oxidation in the presence of a platinum or palladium catalyst, of a polyethoxy alcohol of the formulaR'(OR).sub.m (OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n OH,followed by reactivating the catalyst in the reaction mixture and recovering in active form the insoluble and soluble catalyst fractions. The alkaline metal salts of polyethoxycarboxylic acids thus produced are useful as surfactants, which can be employed in the recovery of oil from wells of medium and high salinity.

Abstract: For preparing carbonyl compounds containing certain functional groups, a carbonyl compound is reacted with an unsaturated compound in the presence of a trivalent-manganese initiator and an amine. There is a positive coaction between the trivalent-Mn catalyst and the amine. Typically, 2-methyl-3-butene-2-ol is reacted with acetone in the presence of triethylamine and manganese triacetate (bihydrated) to obtain 2-methyl-heptane-2-ol-3-one. Yields and selectivities are more than satisfactory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for synthesizing pyran nitriles of the general formula ##STR1## consisting of reacting aliphatic 1,5 hydroxyketones with aliphatic nitriles in the presence of basic substances such as oxides, hydroxides, and carbonates of alkali metal and alkaline earth metals, and in particular of alkali metal hydroxides or alcoholates, as the catalyst.