Abstract: Mixtures of 2- and 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol with high contents of 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol are obtained by a process comprising reacting phenol with paraformaldehyde in the presence of a compound which exhibits two or more tertiary nitrogen atoms per molecule and a pK.sub.a value of .gtoreq.6.5 (measured at 20.degree. C. in water).

Abstract: Mixtures of 2- and 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol with high contents of 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol are obtained by a process comprising reacting phenol and paraformaldehyde in the presence of a strongly basic catalyst and a polyalkylene polyether.

Abstract: Novel process for the preparation of an arylglyoxylic acid compound, e.g., phenylglyoxylic acid, which comprises oxidizing an .alpha.-hydroxyarylacetic acid, e.g., mandelic acid, of the formula ##STR1## in which m is 1, 2 or 3,each R individually is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl,aryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, cycloakoxy, aryloxy, hydroxyl,halogen, aminoalkyl or carboxyl,with the proviso thattwo R's together can represent the methylenedioxygroup or a fused-on, optionally heterocyclic andoptionally substituted ring,with oxygen or a gas containing molecular oxygen in aqueous alkaline medium in the presence of a catalyst comprising a platinum-group metal in the presence as an activator of at least one of lead, a lead compound, bismuth and a bismuth compound at a temperature of up to the boiling point of the resulting reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of pure 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, pure 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol or a mixture of both hydroxybenzyl alcohols by reacting phenol and formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst and subjecting the resulting reaction mixture to an at least 2-stage countercurrent extraction in a solvent system of water/organic solvent which is water-immiscible or water-miscible only to a limited extent.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of 3,4-methylenedioxymandelic acid, wherein glyoxylic acid is reacted with 1,2-methylenedioxybenzene in a strongly acid medium.

Abstract: The invention concerns a new process for the production of 2-alkoxy-4-propen-1-yl phenols of the formula ##STR1## in which R represents the methyl or ethyl radical wherein 2-alkoxy phenols of the formula ##STR2## in which R is as defined above, are initially condensed with propionaldehyde in the presence of acid catalysts, and the resulting condensation product is subsequently split by heating in the presence of a basic catalyst to form the phenols of formula I.

Abstract: Salicylaldehyde and other hydroxybenzaldehydes are prepared by oxydation of a hydroxybenzyl alcohol in the presence of a platinum metal catalyst and lead, silver, tellurium or tin or compounds thereof as activator.

Abstract: The invention concerns new 2-alkoxy-4-alkenyl phenols of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is methyl or ethyl andR.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are different from one another and mean hydrogen or methyl;A process for the preparation of said 2-alkoxy-4-alkenyl phenols comprising condensing 2-alkoxy phenols with butyraldehyde or isobutyraldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst and thermal splitting the condensation product in the presence of a catalyst; and the use of the new 2-alkoxy-4-alkenyl phenols as odorants.

Abstract: Glyoxylic acid is selectively extracted from its aqueous mixture with glyoxal by means of aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alcohol containing about 4 to 8 carbon atoms, a ketone containing about 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and an ester of an aliphatic carboxylic acid and aliphatic alcohol each containing up to about 6 carbon atoms, the esters containing a total of about 3 to 8 carbon atoms, allowing the mixture to stratify and separating the solvent layer enriched in glyoxylic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new process for the production of anethole (4-methoxy propen-1-yl benzene), wherein anisole is condensed with propionaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst and the resulting condensation product is subsequently split in the presence of an acid at a temperature in the range from 100.degree. to 300.degree. C.