Abstract: Systems and methods of producing chemical compounds are disclosed. An example chemical production system includes a combustion chamber having intake ports for entry of a gas mixture. An igniter ignites the gas mixture in the intake chamber to facilitate a reaction at a high temperature and high pressure. A nozzle restricts exit of the ignited gas mixture from the combustion chamber. An expansion chamber cools the ignited gas. The expansion chamber has an exhaust where the cooled gas exits the expansion chamber. A chemical compound product is formed in the expansion chamber.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of alkyl aromatic compounds uses acidic ionic liquids. In one embodiment, the ionic liquid is intrinsically acidic, having an anion mole fraction of greater than 0.5. The ionic liquids include those comprised of a quaternary nitrogen-containing cation and a metal halide anion. The process provides for good conversion and selectivity in the production of the corresponding aromatic aldehyde compound.

Abstract: Alkyl aromatic compounds are converted to alkyl aromatic aldehydes by a carbonylation reaction. The carbonylation catalyst can be a high boiling point carbonylation catalyst which allows for the separation of the aldehyde product by selective volatilization. Alternatively, the carbonylation catalyst can be selected from perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, perfluoroether sulfonic acids having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, BF3(ROH)x wherein R represents CH3 or H and X is a number within the range of from 0.2 to 2, GaBr3, GaCl3, TaF5, NbF5, and NbBr5, with the proviso that when the catalyst is TaF5, NbF5, or NbBr5, then the reaction takes place in the absence of added HF. Preferably, all of the carbonylation reactions take place in the absence of added HF. The alkyl aromatic aldehydes can be oxidized to form an aromatic acid.

Abstract: In a liquid phase carbonylation process for the production of acetic anhydride by reacting a feed stream which includes methyl acetate, methanol and carbon monoxide using a Group VIII metal-containing catalyst, and preferably a rhodium containing material, a liquid reaction product is continuously withdrawn from the carbonylation zone and fed to an evaporation/separation zone for separating volatile constituents of the reaction from the non-volatile constituents which, includes a portion of the Group VIII metal catalyst from the carbonylation reactor. The Group VIII metal catalyst is contacted with a gas stream which includes hydrogen for a period of from about 0.001 seconds to about 200 seconds as it is being returned to the carbonylation zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of acetic anhydride, characterized in that a gas containing essentially CO, at a pressure of at least 1 MPa, is reacted with methyl formate in the presence ofa) a rhodium-based catalyst,b) two iodine-containing promoters of different kind, successively ionic and covalent, andc) an N-substituted cyclic amide as solvent.

Abstract: Excess terephthalic acid or isophthalic acid is reacted with a phosgene/DMF complex nearly to completion in one or more stages to form terephthaloyl chloride or isophthaloyl chloride; in another stage, by-product formylbenzoyl chloride is oxidized and terephthaloyl chloride or isophthaloyl chloride containing less than 100 ppm of formylbenzoyl chloride and/or dichlorotoluoylchloride is recovered.

Abstract: A method to oxidize an oxidizable component in a liquid phase with an oxygen-containing gas is disclosed. The method comprises mixing the liquid phase and gas phase in a reactor with a rotating agitator element operated at constant power.