Abstract: A process for the production of cycloalkane epoxides from cycloalkenes in the presence of a boron-containing catalyst, oxygen and a carboxylate ion source via air oxidation is described. Alkali metal borates, alkali earth metal borates, rare earth borates and transition metal borates are useful catalysts. The boron catalyst may contain many different cations including lithium, sodium, strontium, barium, cerium, zirconium, vanadium, niobium, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, and mixtures thereof. The reaction is conducted at a temperature in the range of 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. and a pressure of one atmosphere or greater. Cycloalkane epoxides are useful in the preparation of resins, plasticizers, etc.

Abstract: A process for the production of alkane acetates from olefins in the presence of an ammonium borate catalyst, oxygen and a carboxylate ion source via oxidative esterification is described. The reaction is conducted at a temperature in the range of 80.degree. to 280.degree. C. and a pressure of 1 atmosphere or greater. Alkane diacetates and hydroxy acetates are produced which may be used as precursors to alkylene oxides, alkylene glycols and other useful compounds.

Abstract: A method of eliminating color-causing impurities in mixtures of t-butylalkyl phenols by treatment with trioxane at 100.degree. C. and 1 atmospheric pressure is described. These phenols are used as peroxide inhibitors in polyol formulations for polyurethane foams. Discoloration of the polyol occurs if the phenol mixture is not treated with trioxane. It is an essential part of the invention that the t-butyl alkylphenol mixture be derived from an alkylphenol made over an acid resin catalyst. Mixtures made by a BF.sub.3 process may not be decolorized by this method. Generally, the color decreases with increasing amounts of trioxane.

Abstract: A method for the production of ethylene glycol dialkyl ethers from dialkyl ethers and ethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers by means of passing these reactants over a heterogeneous anionic ion exchange resin catalyst is described. The reaction may be conducted at temperatures ranging from about 100.degree. to about 250.degree. C. and at pressures ranging from about 50 to about 500 psig. This method avoids some of the separation difficulties associated with preparing these compounds by prior wet chemistry methods.

Abstract: Covers a method for preparing a para-alkyl substituted phenyl aldehyde by reacting carbon monoxide and an alkyl mono-substituted benzene in presence of a tantalum, niobium or antimony pentafluoride-hydrogen fluoride catalyst.