Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol by reacting 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutanedione with a secondary alcohol in the presence of a transfer hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for producing high-purity acrylic acid using azeotropic distillation and using water as an entrainer. This disclosure provides a process for separating acrylic acid from recovered feed streams which comprise acrylic acid and saturated organic acids including propionic acid. The resulting acrylic acid product is of sufficient purity to produce acrylate esters and high molecular weight acrylic acid polymers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for producing high-purity acrylic acid using azeotropic distillation and using water as an entrainer. This disclosure provides a process for separating acrylic acid from recovered feed streams which comprise acrylic acid and saturated organic acids including propionic acid. The resulting acrylic acid product is of sufficient purity to produce acrylate esters and high molecular weight acrylic acid polymers.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for purification of streams containing carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid anhydrides without using the amount of high-cost, corrosion resistant alloy required for a distillation column. The invention provides methods in which streams containing carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid anhydrides are subjected to a hydrolysis process by combining them with a stoichiometric excess of water and optionally an added hydrolysis catalyst. The resulting hydrolyzed stream is subsequently separated to produce a stream containing carboxylic acid and water and a carboxylic acid product stream comprising carboxylic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and processes for concentrating acetic acid and acetic anhydride streams. The systems allow operation of equipment used for such concentrations in two or more modes of operation. At least one mode is intended to produce a concentrated or purified acetic acid stream. At least one other mode is intended to produce a concentrated or purified acetic anhydride stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the coproduction of acetic acid and acetic anhydride by producing in a first carbonylation reactor a carbonylation product mixture containing acetic anhydride, removing the carbonylation mixture from the first carbonylation reactor, contacting the carbonylation mixture with methanol to react with and convert some or all of the acetic anhydride contained in the mixture to acetic acid and methyl acetate, feeding the resulting reaction composition to a second carbonylation reactor and contacting the reaction composition to carbonylation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the extractive recovery of an acid catalyst from an aqueous mixture of glycolic acid with an extraction solvent comprising a tertiary amine or an onium carboxylate compound, a modifier, and a diluent. The acid catalyst, which can comprise strong acids such as sulfuric acid, alkyl sulfonic acids, and fluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, can be recovered by back extraction with aqueous formaldehyde and recycled to a process for the preparation of glycolic acid by the acid-catalyzed carbonylation of formaldehyde. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of glycolic acid by the acid-catalyzed hydrocarboxylation of formaldehyde.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and processes for concentrating acetic acid and acetic anhydride streams. The systems allow operation of equipment used for such concentrations in two or more modes of operation. At least one mode is intended to produce a concentrated or purified acetic acid stream. At least one other mode is intended to produce a concentrated or purified acetic anhydride stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the extractive recovery of an acid catalyst from an aqueous mixture of glycolic acid with an extraction solvent comprising a tertiary amine or an onium carboxylate compound, a modifier, and a diluent. The acid catalyst, which can comprise strong acids such as sulfuric acid, alkyl sulfonic acids, and fluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, can be recovered by back extraction with aqueous formaldehyde and recycled to a process for the preparation of glycolic acid by the acid-catalyzed carbonylation of formaldehyde.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the extractive recovery of an acid catalyst from an aqueous mixture of glycolic acid with an extraction solvent comprising a tertiary amine or an onium carboxylate compound, a modifier, and a diluent. The acid catalyst, which can comprise strong acids such as sulfuric acid, alkyl sulfonic acids, and fluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, can be recovered by back extraction with aqueous formaldehyde and recycled to a process for the preparation of glycolic acid by the acid-catalyzed carbonylation of formaldehyde. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of glycolic acid by the acid-catalyzed hydrocarboxylation of formaldehyde.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for purification of streams containing carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid anhydrides without using the amount of high-cost, corrosion resistant alloy required for a distillation column. The invention provides methods in which streams containing carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid anhydrides are subjected to a hydrolysis process by combining them with a stoichiometric excess of water and optionally an added hydrolysis catalyst. The resulting hydrolyzed stream is subsequently separated to produce a stream containing carboxylic acid and water and a carboxylic acid product stream comprising carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the coproduction of acetic acid and acetic anhydride by producing in a first carbonylation reactor a carbonylation product mixture containing acetic anhydride, removing the carbonylation mixture from the first carbonylation reactor, contacting the carbonylation mixture with methanol to react with and convert some or all of the acetic anhydride contained in the mixture to acetic acid and methyl acetate, feeding the resulting reaction composition to a second carbonylation reactor and contacting the reaction composition to carbonylation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the extractive recovery of an acid catalyst from an aqueous mixture of glycolic acid with an extraction solvent comprising a tertiary amine or an onium carboxylate compound, a modifier, and a diluent. The acid catalyst, which can comprise strong acids such as sulfuric acid, alkyl sulfonic acids, and fluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, can be recovered by back extraction with aqueous formaldehyde and recycled to a process for the preparation of glycolic acid by the acid-catalyzed carbonylation of formaldehyde.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of acetic acid or mixtures of acetic acid and acetic anhydride in a carbonylation process wherein a mixture comprising methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether and methyl iodide is contacting in the liquid phase with carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst at elevated pressures and temperatures. Methanol, water, or a mixture thereof is added to an acetic anhydride-containing stream within a flash evaporation zone to convert some or all of the acetic anhydride to acetic acid and optionally methyl acetate and to provide heat for the evaporation of a portion of the product effluent produced by the carbonylation process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of acetic acid or mixtures of acetic acid and acetic anhydride in a carbonylation process wherein a mixture comprising methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether and methyl iodide is contacting in the liquid phase with carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst at elevated pressures and temperatures. Methanol, water, or a mixture thereof is added to an acetic anhydride-containing stream within a flash evaporation zone to convert some or all of the acetic anhydride to acetic acid and optionally methyl acetate and to provide heat for the evaporation of a portion of the product effluent produced by the carbonylation process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering and purifying 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxidation effluent gas obtained by the vapor phase, catalytic, partial oxidation of 1,3-butadiene (butadiene) with molecular oxygen in the presence of a silver catalyst wherein the epoxybutene-laden epoxidation product gas is reacted with a water-miscible solvent to absorb the epoxybutene. The disclosed process includes a method of separating epoxybutene from the solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the recovery and purification of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from mixtures comprising epoxybutene and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons containing five to seven carbon atoms having boiling points between about 20° C. and 115° C. by means of extractive distillation of the epoxybutene using certain extractive distillation solvents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering and purifying 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxidation effluent gas obtained by the vapor phase, catalytic, partial oxidation of 1,3-butadiene (butadiene) with molecular oxygen in the presence of a silver catalyst wherein the epoxybutene-laden epoxidation product gas is reacted with a water-miscible solvent to absorb the epoxybutene. The disclosed process includes a method of separating epoxybutene from the solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of recovering 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxybutene-laden reaction product gas by absorption into a high-boiling solvent. Also disclosed is a process for the purification of the epoxybutene by separating epoxybutene from the solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps.

Abstract: A process for the recovery and purification of cyclobutanone from a crude product mixture obtained from an oxidation product mixture resulting from the oxidation of cyclobutanol to cyclobutanone in the presence of water. The process provides for the recovery of cyclobutanone in a purity of at least 90 weight percent by a combination of distillation steps.