Abstract: The distillation product fraction obtained from an isobutane oxidation reaction product after the removal of unreacted isobutane will contain tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, tertiary butyl alcohol and carboxylic acid contaminants such as formic acid, acetic acid and isobutyric acid. It has been discovered that when the distillation product fraction is treated with about 1/2 to 1 equivalents of calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide based on the carboxylic acid content of the distillate product fraction, a portion of the carboxylic acid contaminants will precipitate thus partially purifying the distillation product fraction so that, thereafter, molybdenum precipitation will be substantially inhibited when the thus-treated distillation product fraction is used as a feedstock for an epoxidation reaction wherein tertiary butyl hydroperoxide is reacted with an olefin in the presence of a soluble molybdenum catalyst to provide an olefin epoxide and additional tertiary butyl hydroperoxide.

Abstract: An extractive distillation agent consisting essentially of ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate or a mixture thereof is fed to an extractive distillation column used for the distillation of propylene oxide contaminated with water to obtain an overhead distillate fraction consisting of essentially anhydrous propylene oxide, and a heavier bottoms distillation fraction containing substantially all of the extraction distillation solvent and water introduced into the distillation column.

Abstract: An extractive distillation agent consisting essentially of glycerol-1,3-di-t-butylether is fed to an extractive distillation column used for the distillation of propylene oxide contaminated with water to obtain an overhead distillate fraction consisting of essentially anhydrous propylene oxide, and a heavier bottoms distillation fraction containing substantially all of the glycerol-1,3-di-t-butylether and water introduced into the distillation column.

Abstract: An extractive distillation agent consisting essentially of triethylene glycol is fed to an extractive distillation column used for the distillation of propylene oxide contaminated with water, acetone and methanol to obtain an overhead distillate fraction consisting of essentially anhydrous propylene oxide contaminated with reduced quantities of acetone and methanol, and a heavier bottoms distillation fraction containing substantially all of the triethylene glycol, water and acetone and some of the methanol introduced into the distillation column.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for the separation of impurities from a lower alkylene oxide, such as propylene oxide, by a process wherein the impure propylene oxide is first fractionally distilled to separate higher and lower boiling impurities, then the partially purified alkylene oxide is subjected to extractive distillation to separate additional impurities, the purified propylene oxide being separated as an overhead fraction.

Abstract: A method is provided for the separation by extractive distillation of hydrocarbon impurities from lower alkylene oxides such as propylene oxide wherein a glycol having 2 to 5 carbon atoms is used as extractive solvent.

Abstract: Purified propylene oxide is recovered from an impure propylene oxide feedstock contaminated with more than 50 ppm of six carbon atom hydrocarbon impurities by a solvent extraction process wherein:an impure propylene oxide feedstock is charged to a liquid/liquid extraction zone and contacted therein with an extractant consisting essentially of water and a paraffinic hydrocarbon containing 8 to 10 carbon atoms, and resolved therein into a raffinate consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of propylene oxide and into an extract comprising the paraffinic hydrocarbon and the 6 carbon atom impurities initially present in the propylene oxide feedstock.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved recovery of cycloalkanol/cycloalkanone from epoxidation mixtures which result from olefin epoxidation with cycloalkyl hydroperoxide by hydrolysis of ketal compounds contained in the mixtures.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the manunfacture of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EpB) and, particularly, for the recovery of EpB from an epoxidation effluent comprising EpB, butadiene, oxygen and an inert gas obtained by the selective epoxidation of butadiene with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst and an inert gas. EpB is separated from the effluent by means of an absorption process using liquid butadiene as the absorbent material.

Abstract: An extractive distillation agent consisting essentially of 2-hydroxyethyl 2-hydroxyethylcarbamate, and is fed to an extractive distillation column used for the distillation of propylene oxide contaminated with water to obtain an overhead distillate fraction consisting of essentially anhydrous propylene oxide, and a heavier bottoms distillation fraction containing substantially all of the 2-hydroxyethyl 2-hydroxyethycarbamate, and water introduced into the disillation column.

Abstract: An extractive distillation agent consisting essentially of 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is fed to an extractive distillation column used for the distillation of propylene oxide contaminated with water, acetone and methanol to obtain an overhead distillate fraction consisting of essentially anhydrous propylene oxide contaminated with reduced quantities of acetone and methanol, and a heavier bottoms distillation fraction containing substantially all of the 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, water and acetone and some of the methanol introduced into the distillation column.

Abstract: An extractive distillation agent consisting essentially of sulfolane is fed to an extractive distillation column used for the distillation of propylene oxide contaminated with water to obtain an overhead distillate fraction consisting of essentially anhydrous propylene oxide, and a heavier bottoms distillation fraction containing substantially all of the sulfolane and water introduced into the distillation column.

Abstract: The method for the separating methyl formate from lower alkylene oxide such as propylene oxide which comprises contacting the impure alkylene oxide with basic ion exchange resin and separating alkylene oxide reduced in methyl formate content.

Abstract: Methyl formate is removed from impure propylene oxide by contacting the impure propylene oxide in a treating zone with a basic ion exchange resin for a period of time sufficient to convert the methyl formate to formic acid and methanol, and by withdrawing a substantially methyl formate-free treated propylene oxide product from the treating zone.

Abstract: The distillation product fraction obtained from an isobutane oxidation reaction product after the removal of unreacted isobutane will contain tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, tertiary butyl alcohol and carboxylic acid contaminants such as formic acid, acetic acid and isobutyric acid. It has been discovered that when the distillation product fraction is treated with about 1/2 to 1 equivalents of calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide based on the carboxylic acid content of the distillate product fraction, a portion of the carboxylic acid contaminants will precipitate thus partially purifying the distillation product fraction so that, thereafter, molybdenum precipitation will be substantially inhibited when the thus-treated distillation product fraction is used as a feedstock for an epoxidation reaction wherein tertiary butyl hydroperoxide is reacted with an olefin in the presence of a soluble molybdenum catalyst to provide an olefin epoxide and additional tertiary butyl hydroperoxide.

Abstract: A method is provided for the separation by extractive distillation of hydrocarbon impurities from propylene oxide wherein t-butyl alcohol/water is used as extractive distillation solvent.

Abstract: A method is provided for the separation by extractive distillation of oxygenated impurities from a monoepoxide while avoiding epoxide loss, wherein lower glycol is used as extractive solvent in amounts so as to provide only up to about 0.3 mol % solvent in the vapor in the extractive distillation zone.

Abstract: A heavy distillation fraction comprising tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, tertiary butyl alcohol, impurities and dissolved molybdenum catalyst resulting from the removel of propylene, propylene oxide and tertiary butyl alcohol from an epoxidation reaction product is mixed with about 5 to about 10 wt. %, based on the weight of the heavy liquid distilation fraction, of a lower aliphatic alcohol containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms to provide a charge mixture, and the charge mixture is:charged to a falling film evaporator and separator therein, under evaporator operating conditions including a temperature within the range of about 20.degree. to about 150.degree. C. and a pressure of about 1 to about 200 mm Hg., into an overhead vaporized fraction comprising substantially all of the aliphatic alcohol and from about 80 to about 95 wt. % of the heavy distillation fraction charged to the falling film evaporator.

Abstract: An impure propylene oxide feedstock contaminated with from about 50 to about 1000 ppm of methanol and from about 0 to about 1 wt. % of acetone is charged to the lower half of an extractive distillation column containing at least about 25 theoretical plates and an extractive distillation agent consisting essentially of a blend of acetone and water (acetone/water blend) containing about 20 to about 30 wt. % of acetone and, correspondingly, about 80 to about 70 wt. % of water is charged to the tower at a point 4 to 7 theoretical stages above the impure propylene oxide feed point; the extractive distillation agent being introduced into the extractive distillation column in the ratio of said feedstock to said extractive distillation agent of from about 5:1 to about 20:1, whereby an overhead distillate fraction is obtained consisting essentially of propylene oxide contaminated with not more than about 60 ppm of methanol, not more than about 0.02 wt. % of acetone and not more than about 0.3 wt. % of water.

Abstract: An improved process for separating ethylene-oxide from formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in contaminated ethylene oxide, the process involves introducing the contaminated ethylene oxide into a reflux column and distilling the contaminated ethylene oxide under conditions such that the fluid stream leaving the bottom of the reflux column contains the water present in the contaminated ethylene oxide and the ethylene oxide in amounts corresponding, on a weight basis, to 0.15 to 3 times the weight of the water, and the ethylene oxide resulting from the separation of the formaldehyde and acetaldehyde leaves the column at its top.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting fouling in distillation towers, overhead lines, reflux lines, and condensers operating in a process to manufacture and purify epichlorohydrin. This method resides in treating process streams entering or exiting such towers, lines and condensers, including feed streams, reflux streams, gaseous or liquid overhead streams, with an effective antifouling amount of a C.sub.3 -C.sub.9 linear or branched alkyl substituted catechol, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Water-insoluble crystallizable epoxy alcohols such as phenyl glycidol are recovered from epoxidation reaction mixtures by washing the mixture with water, concentrating the mixture by distillation under vacuum to remove unreacted hydroperoxide and alcohol co-product, and crystallizing the epoxy alcohol from solution. Minimal decomposition of the epoxy alcohol is observed.

Abstract: A process for the reduction of free epichlorohydrin in epoxy compounds which involves the treatment of an epoxy compound with an alkali metal sulfite, preferably sodium sulfite.

Abstract: Aliphatic epoxides of the formula: ##STR1## can be prepared in a technically efficient manner from the corresponding olefins by means of perpropionic acid in a benzene solution. The benzene solution can also be 1.5 weight percent of hydrogen peroxide, 1.5 weight percent of water and about 800 ppm of mineral acid.

Abstract: Epoxidized polybutadienes with an average molecular weight of 500 to 100,000 and a certain content of epoxide oxygen were prepared from the corresponding polybutadienes with use of perpropionic acid in a benzene solution. The solution can also be employed in unpurified form with maximum contents of 1.5 weight percent hydrogen peroxide 1.5 weight percent of water, and about 800 ppm of mineral acid.

Abstract: The diepoxide of the formula: ##STR1## can be prepared from the corresponding diolefin in a technically simple manner by means of perpropionic acid in a benzene solution. The solution can also be employed in unpurified form with certain maximum contents of 1.5 weight percent of hydrogen peroxide, 1.5 weight percent of water, and of about 800 ppm of mineral acid.

Abstract: A method of optically resolving a racemate, or a diastereomeric mixture, of a substituted or unsubstituted glycidyl ester or ether compound having at least one glycidylic structure represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, independently from each other, represent H or CH.sub.3, and 1 to 3 asymmetric carbon atoms in the molecule, or a racemate of a beta-dihalohydrin ester compound, which comprises contacting said racemate or diastereomeric mixture with an optically active form of a compound having the following formula (I) ##STR2## wherein X represents a halogen atom, to form an inclusion complex compound having the optically active compound of formula (I) as a host, and separating the resulting complex compound.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of at least one member of the group consisting of monoglycidyl and polyglycidyl compounds comprising reacting a member of the group consisting of mono- and polyvalent phenols, aromatic amines and aromatic carboxylic acids with an epihalohydrin substantially free of halogenated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: It has been discovered in accordance in accordance with the present invention that a tertiary butyl alcohol/ditertiary butyl peroxide azeotrope may be recovered from a product containing tertiary butyl alcohol and ditertiary butyl peroxide by distilling the tertiary butyl alcohol product to obtain an overhead fraction containing substantially all of the ditertiary butyl peroxide/tertiary butyl alcohol azeotrope and other contaminants.It has been further discovered in accordance with the present invention that the ditertiary butyl peroxide can be recovered from the distillate fraction by extraction with ethylene glycol (e.g., in a countercurrent ethylene glycol extraction tower) to provide a ditertiary butyl peroxide product of any desired degree of purity.

Abstract: The total halide content of epoxy resins is reduced by heating a resin containing undesirable halide dissolved in a solvent mixture containing at least one polar aprotic solvent in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide for a time sufficient to reduce the total halide content.

Abstract: In the purification of ethylene oxide from an ethylene oxide-containing reaction formation gas produced by catalytic gas-phase oxidation of ethylene with a molecular oxygen containing gas, external thermal energy required for heating an ethylene oxide refiner is economized by a method which utilizes the diffusate obtained from the top of an ethylene oxide stripper as a heat source for the refiner. Further, the bottom liquid of the stripper can be used as a heat source for ethylene oxide refiner and/or a light ends stripper.

Abstract: A process for the production of epichlorohydrin is disclosed which comprises reacting allyl chloride, chlorine and water to form an intermediate, then rapid conversion and separation of epichlorohydrin product; the epichlorohydrin-depleted reaction mixture is cooled and subjected to electrodialysis then reverse osmosis to concentrate and remove deleterious by-products, and at least a substantial portion of the resultant permeate is recycled to the reaction zone, thereby enabling reduced operating costs and/or improved yield.

Abstract: Novel antibiotic U-56,407 producible in a fermentation under controlled conditions using a biologically pure culture of the microorganism Streptomyces hagronensis strain 360, NRRL 15064. This antibiotic is active against various Gram-positive bacteria, for example, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Thus, antibiotic U-56,407 can be used in various environments to eradicate or control such bacteria.

Abstract: The total halide content of epoxy resins is reduced by heating a resin containing halide dissolved in a solvent mixture containing at least one ketone, at least one aromatic hydrocarbon and optionally at least one compound containing at least one aliphatic hydroxyl group in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide for a time sufficient to reduce the total halide content.

Abstract: Polyglycidyl compounds are prepared by reacting certain polyallyl compounds with a percarboxylic acid containing 3 or 4 C atoms, subsequently removing, by distillation, the carboxylic acid formed from the percarboxylic acid, then separating the remaining mixture by simultaneous extraction with a lipophilic and a hydrophilic phase, subsequently working up the laden lipophilic phase and the laden hydrophilic phase separately in a manner which is known per se, and obtaining the polyglycidyl compound as the residue from working up of the laden hydrophilic phase.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for the separation of gaseous mixtures used in sterilization processes are disclosed, particularly in which the gaseous mixtures include ethylene oxide and a relative inert secondary gas component, such as various chlorofluorocarbons. The processes disclosed include providing water as a solvent for the ethylene oxide, mixing the gaseous mixture with the water to produce a liquid phase comprising the ethylene oxide at least partially dissolved in the water, and the gas phase comprising the secondary gaseous component which is less soluble in the water than the ethylene oxide, removing the gas phase from the liquid phase for further processing, separating the ethylene oxide from the water in the liquid phase, and recycling the water for subsequent use as solvent.

Abstract: Ethylene oxide is recovered from aqueous solutions by extracting with carbon dioxide in the near-critical or super-critical state, thereby selectively removing the ethylene oxide from water, and thereafter recovering ethylene oxide from the carbon dioxide by distillation or other suitable means.

Abstract: Ethylene oxide is extracted from aqueous solutions by carbon dioxide under (near) super-critical conditions and thereafter recovered by distillation at sub-critical conditions. Improved distillation is obtained by adding to the carbon dixoide a gas (or gases) which adjust the critical temperature of the gas mixture of the top of the distillation column within the range of about 32.degree. C. to about 75.degree. C. Preferred gases are the saturated hydrocarbons, particularly propane, n-butane, isobutane and pentane.

Abstract: In a method for purifying a crude epoxidation product of a liquid conjugated diolefin polymer or a vegetable oil which comprises the steps of adding an aqueous washing agent to a crude epoxidation product which is obtained by the reaction of a liquid conjugated diolefin polymer or a vegetable oil with an organic peracid or an epoxidizing agent capable of generating an organic peracid in situ, stirring the mixture, leaving the mixture to stand to induce phase separation and thereafter withdrawing the organic layer, the improvement wherein 50 to 300 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the crude epoxidation product, of a 10-80% by weight aqueous solution of isopropanol is used as the washing agent.

Abstract: A process for purifying 1,2-butylene oxide which comprises extractive distillation of crude butylene oxide with an added solvent comprising an acyclic, paraffinic hydrocarbon having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for removing water from butylene oxides which comprises liquid extraction of crude butylene oxides with a solvent comprising acyclic, paraffinic hydrocarbons having from 7 to 9 carbon atoms per molecule.

Abstract: The separation of mixtures of hexafluoropropylene oxide and hexafluoropropylene is effected by extractive distillation in the presence of methylene chloride, whereby an excellent separating effect is achieved at a low energy consumption.