Abstract: A multistep process for producing amyl ketones is provided. In the process, a methyl ketone is reacted with butyraldehyde to form a C.sub.7 aldol condensation product which is then dehydrated to form an olefinic ketone and hydrogenated to form an amyl ketone. The process is suitable for coproduction along with the production of MIBK and yields products with a high selectivity.

Abstract: Chlorohydrin reactant mixtures containing epichlorohydrin and mono- and dichlorohydrins are selectively hydrolyzed to glycerine by contact with an alkali metal carbonate catalyst, preferably sodium carbonate, at a temperature of about 50.degree. to 70.degree. C for a period of from about 20 to about 150 hours in a two phase agitated reaction system comprising an aqueous phase containing at least about 0.5% by weight alkali metal carbonate and an organic solvent phase having less than about 0.5% weight solubility in water and a dielectric constant of less than about 10, said aqueous phase being about 0.5 to about 10 times the volume of the organic solvent phase.