Abstract: Chromium (III) catalysis of the reaction between ethylene oxides (ethylene oxide and 1,2-propylene oxide) and aromatic carboxylic acids at temperatures in the range from 50.degree. to 180.degree. C. are rapid but produce excessive amounts of diglycol ether ester (2-hydroxyethoxyethanol or 2-hydroxy-2-methylethoxy 2-methylethanol) which is present as the diglycol ether ester of the aromatic carboxylic acid and is a contaminent hard to remove from the desired 2-hydroxyethyl ester of the aromatic carboxylic acid. The use of an amine, in such ethylene oxide reaction with aromatic carboxylic acid suppresses the formation of diglycol ether and increases the conversion of aromatic carboxylic acid to the desired 2-hydroxyethyl ester thereof.

Abstract: Acetic acid of 95 to 100 weight percent strength containing ionic and coordinate bromide impurities can be purified to a bromine content of less than 3 ppm by the sequence of steps comprising catalytic hydrogenating said acetic acid, treating the hydrogenated acetic acid with a solid absorbant and separating acetic acid therefrom.

Abstract: Concentrated acetic acid of 95 to 100 weight percent concentration containing both ionic and coordinate bromine can be successfully purified to a bromine content of less than 3 ppm by the sequential steps of catalytic hydrogenation, contacting the resulting acetic acid with alkali metal hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate, and then distilling acetic acid from the alkali metal.

Abstract: Oxidizing butane to acetic acid which comprises contacting a sufficient concentration of an oxygen-containing gas with normal butane in the presence of catalyst consisting essentially of bromine and cobalt to initiate a self-sustaining exothermic reaction.

Abstract: High surface area silver olefin oxide catalysts with orderly distribution of pore size are prepared by pyrolysis of silver salts of di- and polycarboxylic acids or mixtures thereof to carbon-like polymers containing silver, followed by combustion of the carbonaceous material. The resulting unsupported or supported silver catalysts are useful for oxidations, cyclizations, isomerizations, and cracking. The carbon-like polymers containing silver, before combustion of the carbonaceous material, find utility as bactericides and catalysts. Extraction of the silver yields high surface area carbon adsorbents of predetermined structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the catalytic hydration of alkylene oxides, in particular ethylene oxide for the production of glycols using a catalyst comprising a copper promoted aluminum phosphate. In certain instances the isomerization activity of the catalyst can be reduced by the incorporation of small quantities of alkali or alkaline earth metals as inhibitors for such process.