Abstract: A mixture of C.sub.8 aromatics, including para-xylene, meta-xylene orthoxylene and ethyl benzene, is separated by an adsorption/desorption procedure to provide rapid recovery of the valuable components. In this process, the aromatic mixture is passed through at least two adsorption zones in series, preferably containing zeolite ZSM-5 adsorbent, in which zones the meta-xylene and ortho-xylene pass through relatively uninhibited, whereas the para-xylene and ethyl benzene are adsorbed. The meta-xylene and ortho-xylene are removed and can be distilled to effect separation or can be separated as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,656,278. According to this invention, the para-xylene and ethyl benzene in the zones are then desorbed in parallel, that is, introducing a desorbent separately to each zone and recovering desorbed aromatics separately from each.

Abstract: In preparing organic sulfides by reacting olefins (e.g., butylenes) with a sulfur halide to form a sulfohalogenated intermediate which is subsequently sulfurized and dehalogenated by reaction with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal sulfide compound to form a noncorrosive organic sulfide product of high sulfur content, blackening of both the intermediate and the final product is prevented by employing an inert gas as a purge during formation of the olefin-sulfur halide adduct.