Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing terephthalic acid. The process includes contacting p-xylene with a gaseous stream containing oxygen (O2) in presence of a homogeneous catalyst solution, at a reaction temperature of 180° C. to 195° C. to oxidize at least a portion of the p-xylene and form a product stream containing terephthalic acid, said homogeneous catalyst solution contains 350 ppm to 450 ppm cobalt (Co), 170 ppm to 270 ppm manganese (Mn), and 410 ppm to 510 ppm bromine (Br), wherein a Br/(Co+Mn) wt. % ratio is 0.5:1 to 1:1, and a Co to Mn wt. % ratio is 1.5:1 to 2:1.

Abstract: A method of reducing impurities in a catalyst for the production of purified terephthalic acid includes forming purified terephthalic acid by hydrogenating crude terephthalic acid with a catalyst in a reactor; separating the purified terephthalic acid from the catalyst and reactivating the catalyst by washing with a caustic solution; and flushing the catalyst contaminated with impurities with a non-caustic liquid at a flushing temperature of greater than or equal to 50° C.

Abstract: A method of reducing impurities in a catalyst for the production of purified terephthalic acid includes forming purified terephthalic acid by hydrogenating crude terephthalic acid with a catalyst in a reactor; separating the purified terephthalic acid from the catalyst and reactivating the catalyst by washing with a caustic solution; and flushing the catalyst contaminated with impurities with a non-caustic liquid at a flushing temperature of greater than or equal to 50° C.

Abstract: A method for recovering water from purified terephthalic acid production wastewater includes: producing purified terephthalic acid comprising purified terephthalic acid feedstock and wastewater comprising impurities; separating the purified terephthalic acid feedstock from the wastewater comprising impurities; transferring the wastewater to a tank; adjusting the p H of the wastewater with a basic solution; adjusting the temperature of the wastewater; passing the wastewater to a column; contacting the wastewater with an ion exchange resin to remove the impurities; and recovering the water depleted of impurities.

Abstract: A method for purifying acetone includes contacting an initial solution with a basic ion-exchange resin at a temperature of 15° C. to 30° C., wherein the initial solution comprises acetone and acetone impurities; and removing the acetone impurities from the initial solution with the basic ion-exchange resin to produce a purified solution.

Abstract: A method for purifying acetone includes contacting an initial solution with a basic ion-exchange resin at a temperature of 15° C. to 30° C., wherein the initial solution comprises acetone and acetone impurities; and removing the acetone impurities from the initial solution with the basic ion-exchange resin to produce a purified solution.

Abstract: A process for producing terephthalic acid, comprising: passing a feed stream through a catalytic reactor wherein the feed stream comprises p-xylene; contacting the feed stream with a catalyst within the catalytic reactor to produce an oxidation reaction wherein the catalyst comprises, less than or equal to 10% of a metal component wherein the metal component comprises cobalt ions, manganese ions, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, less than or equal to 15% bromide ions, and less than or equal to 2% silver ions; and producing a product stream comprising terephthalic acid, wherein the product stream exits the catalytic reactor.

Abstract: A method of reducing the formation of an impurity in a terephthalic acid (TPA) production process includes: combining in a reactor, a catalyst, a mixture comprising the impurity and the TPA, and a compound comprising an active carbon atom; reacting the impurity with the compound in the presence of the catalyst by a condensation-dehydration reaction process comprising a nucleophilic addition of the active carbon atom of the compound to a carbonyl group of the impurity to form an intermediate followed by a dehydration reaction of the intermediate to form a product mixture comprising a water, the TPA, and an alkene; and recovering the product mixture from the reactor.

Abstract: A method for recovering water from purified terephthalic acid production wastewater includes: producing purified terephthalic acid comprising purified terephthalic acid feedstock and wastewater comprising impurities; separating the purified terephthalic acid feedstock from the wastewater comprising impurities; transferring the wastewater to a tank; adjusting the p H of the wastewater with a basic solution; adjusting the temperature of the wastewater; passing the wastewater to a column; contacting the wastewater with an ion exchange resin to remove the impurities; and recovering the water depleted of impurities.

Abstract: A method of reducing the formation of an impurity in a terephthalic acid (TPA) production process includes: combining in a reactor, a catalyst, a mixture comprising the impurity and the TPA, and a compound comprising an active carbon atom; reacting the impurity with the compound in the presence of the catalyst by a condensation-dehydration reaction process comprising a nucleophilic addition of the active carbon atom of the compound to a carbonyl group of the impurity to form an intermediate followed by a dehydration reaction of the intermediate to form a product mixture comprising a water, the TPA, and an alkene; and recovering the product mixture from the reactor.

Abstract: A process for producing terephthalic acid, comprising: passing a feed stream through a catalytic reactor wherein the feed stream comprises p-xylene; contacting the feed stream with a catalyst within the catalytic reactor to produce an oxidation reaction wherein the catalyst comprises, less than or equal to 10% of a metal component wherein the metal component comprises cobalt ions, manganese ions, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, less than or equal to 15% bromide ions, and less than or equal to 2% silver ions; and producing a product stream comprising terephthalic acid, wherein the product stream exits the catalytic reactor.

Abstract: A method of removing an aromatic carboxy-aldehyde from an aromatic acid or the corresponding anhydride includes reacting a hydroxylamine-containing compound with the aromatic carboxy-aldehyde to form a reaction mixture including the corresponding nitrone. A phthalic acid or corresponding anhydride prepared according to the method is also described herein. A method for the manufacture of a phenyl dicarboxylic acid includes oxidizing a xylene to provide a stream including the phenyl dicarboxylic acid and the corresponding carboxybenzaldehyde and toluic acid contaminants, reacting a hydroxylamine-containing compound with the carboxybenzaldehyde in the stream to form a reaction mixture including the corresponding nitrone, wherein the nitrone is water soluble, and crystallizing the phenyl dicarboxylic acid or the corresponding anhydride from water to provide the purified phenyl dicarboxylic acid or the corresponding anhydride.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for the simultaneous production of oxo-alcohols comprising n-butanol, isobutanol, and 2-ethylhexanol. Also disclosed are methods and systems for simultaneous production of plasticizers using the disclosed oxo-alcohols.

Abstract: A method of purifying a stream having an aromatic carboxy-aldehyde and an aromatic acid or the corresponding anhydride is described. The method includes reacting a hydroxylamine-containing compound with the aromatic carboxy-aldehyde in the stream to form a reaction mixture including the corresponding nitrone; adding an aqueous solvent to the reaction mixture, in an amount and under conditions effective to solubilize the nitrone but not the organic acid or the corresponding anhydride; and separating the solubilized nitrone from the non-solubilized organic acid. The nitrone is a water soluble nitrone.

Abstract: A process for purifying linear a-olefins, comprises: providing an organic phase comprising a linear a-olefin; providing an alkaline aqueous phase I; providing an amine; mixing the linear a-olefin, alkaline aqueous phase I, and amine; separating the aqueous phase I from the organic phase; adding water to the organic phase thereby forming an aqueous phase II; bringing into contact the organic phase with carbon dioxide; separating the aqueous phase II which comprises a solid formed in the organic phase when contacted with carbon dioxide; wherein the purified linear a-olefins are obtained in the organic phase.

Abstract: A method of producing vinyl polymer particles by suspension polymerization comprising: combining an aqueous media and a tricalcium phosphate to a reaction vessel; adding a pH stabilizing agent to the reaction vessel; adding a vinyl monomer to the reaction vessel; adding a peroxide initiator, e.g., which also generates CO2 as a result of primary or secondary decomposition, to the reaction vessel; adding surfactant or a water soluble free radical initiator to generate surfactant in situ to the reaction vessel; maintaining the reactor contents at greater than or equal to 90° C. until a density of a dispersed phase becomes substantially equal to that of a continuous phase; adding a blowing agent to the reaction vessel; raising the temperature of the reaction vessel to greater than or equal to 100° C.; and collecting polymer particles having a particle size distribution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process comprising: reacting isobutyraldehyde with an aqueous solution of urea in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst to form isobutylidene diurea. Preferably, the phase transfer catalyst is a quaternary ammonium salt, more preferably benzyltriethylammonium chloride. Even more preferably, the process is performed in one pot.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is mixed fertilizer according to the process comprising: reacting isobutyraldehyde with an aqueous solution of urea in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst to form isobutylidene diurea, wherein the phase transfer catalyst is a quaternary ammonium salt; and mixing the isobutylidene diurea with at least one of another fertilizer, a secondary nutrient, a trace element, a plant protection agent, a filler, and other fertilizer ingredients, to form the mixed fertilizer. Also disclosed is isobutylidene diurea produced by the process comprising: reacting isobutyraldehyde with an aqueous solution of urea in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst to form isobutylidene diurea; wherein the phase transfer catalyst is a quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fertilizer compositions comprising: a fertilizer comprising a nitrogen compound, a phosphorus compound, and a potassium compound. The fertilizer composition also comprises a filler. Also, disclosed are the methods of making and methods of using the fertilizer compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for the simultaneous production of oxo-alcohols comprising n-butanol, isobutanol, and 2-ethylhexanol. Also disclosed are methods and systems for simultaneous production of plasticizers using the disclosed oxo-alcohols.