Abstract: The present invention provides a simple process for the production of anhydrous oxime by the separation of the oxime from an aqueous solution. The process is advantageous because the potential explosive hazards of current processes are eliminated and the oxime is easily separated from the aqueous phase. The process comprises the steps of:(a) vaporizing an aqueous oxime solution;(b) vaporizing a water-immiscible organic solvent for the oxime wherein the boiling point of the solvent is lower than the boiling point of the oxime;(c) combining the vapors together;(d) condensing the collected vapors;(e) removing the organic phase of the condensate from the aqueous phase; and(f) recovering anhydrous oxime from the removed organic phase.The anhydrous oxime produced by the present process if useful in applications such as isocyanate condensation and carbamate formation.

Abstract: Ethanol is concentrated from ethanol-water mixtures by extraction or extractive distillation with a solvent which is a cyclic ketone of at least seven carbons or cyclic alcohol of at least eight carbons such a cyclohexylcyclohexanone or cyclohexylcyclohexanol. In the extractive distillation process, a first overheads is produced which can be made to be steam with minimal ethanol content and a second overhead is produced which can be made to be essentially pure ethanol. The preferred solvents are also non-toxic, such that the alcohol can be used for human consumption.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating low molecular weight alcohols, especially ethanol, from aqueous mixtures. The process involves subjecting alcohol-water mixtures to extraction and/or extractive distillation procedures. Extractive solvents useful for the process of this invention include phenols having at least six carbon atoms and a boiling point between about 180.degree. C. and about 350.degree. C.

Abstract: An extractive distillation process is provided for the separation of phenol and/or cresol from mixtures with high boiling oxygenated compounds such as alkanols, alkanones, cycloalkanones, cycloalkanols, aryl alcohols, aryl ketones or mixtures thereof that have a boiling point of at least about 175.degree. C. The process involves distilling the phenol and/or cresol-high boiling oxygenated compound mixture in the presence of at least one extractive solvent comprising a substituted phenol and/or substituted cresol that has a boiling point between about 195.degree. C. and about 400.degree. C.

Abstract: Methylnaphthalenes, indole and other tar bases are recovered from a base-extracted coal tar distillation fraction. In one form, an aqueous salt solution of pH 0.5-3 extracts other tar bases from the starting material, and thereafter both products are recovered from the raffinate by several alternate methods including ethylene glycol extraction and extractive distillation. In other forms, the starting material is extracted with ethylene glycol and the extract is distilled to recover several products including indole. The raffinate of ethylene glycol extraction contains methylnaphthalenes and other hydrocarbons and can be purified to solvent-grade material.

Abstract: Acetaldehyde oxime, a commercially useful intermediate in the production of pesticides, is prepared by oximating acetaldehyde with an aqueous hydroxylamine-containing solution to form an aqueous oximation reaction mixture and recovering acetaldehyde oxime from the aqueous oximation reaction mixture by distilling a mixture of acetaldehyde oxime and water directly from the aqueous oximation reaction mixture.