Abstract: This invention relates to a process for isolation of partially brominated diphenyl ether mixtures ("Octabrom") having an average bromine content of 7.2-8.5. The process comprises: (i) adding a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkanol to the Octabrom in solution in an organic solvent; (ii) maintaining the contact of the alkanol with Octabrom in the organic solvent for that period of time which is sufficient to allow the Octabrom to precipitate in crystalline form, making a slurry; and (iii) recovering the final Octabrom from the slurry.

Abstract: Halogenated phenolic compounds are prepared by forming a low melting point complex of the phenolic compound and contacting the low melting point complex with a halogenating agent under halogenating conditions.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of hydroxybenzyl alcohols, comprising condensing phenol with formaldehyde in an alkaline solution to form a mixture of ortho- and para-hydroxymethyl phenols, and solvent extracting unreacted phenol from the resulting alkaline hydroxybenzyl alcohol condensate solution. The phenol-reduced hydroxybenzyl alcohol condensate solution is particularly suited for treatment with excess caustic and subsequent oxidation of the resulting aqueous solution of ortho- and para-hydroxybenzyl alcohols-sodium salt to yield the corresponding ortho- and para-hydroxybenzaldehydes-sodium salt.

Abstract: A noble metal catalyst, such as palladium, is activated by successive and sequential reactions with an alcohol, such as hydroxybenzyl alcohol, and oxygen or a gas containing oxygen in an aqueous, preferably alkaline, medium, The catalyst activated in the aforementioned manner is particularly useful for the oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes.