Abstract: A process for the continuous production of at least one of bis(3-hydroxypropyl) terephthalate and low molecular weight oligomers of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid is disclosed. According to the process, preheated 1,3-propanediol (about 150° C. to about 200° C.) and preheated lower dialkyl esters of terephthalic acid (about 150° C. to about 220° C.) are combined in a mole ratio of about 1.2:1 to about 2.3:1 and fed to an ester exchange vessel where the mixture undergoes a continuous transesterification reaction. The liquid reaction mixture is continuously heated and mixed, at a temperature of about 215° C. to about 250° C., and a pressure of about 800 mm Hg to about 1,000 mm Hg. Gaseous reaction products are continuously separated from the liquid reaction mixture, and a stream of liquid reaction products containing bis(3-hydoxypropyl) terephthalate and low molecular weight oligomers of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid is continuously removed from a base portion of the ester exchange vessel.

Abstract: A method for decolorizing color contaminated alkanesulfonic or arenesulfonic acids represented by Formula I:RSO.sub.3 H Icomprises mixing the color contaminated acid with an effective amount of a dialkanesulfonyl or diarenesulfonyl peroxide represented by Formula II:R.sup.1 SO.sub.2 --O--O--O.sub.2 SR.sup.1 IIand allowing the mixture to stand at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to allow the color of the acid to decrease to the desired level, wherein R in Formula I and R.sup.1 in Formula II may each represent an alkyl radical or an aryl radical, with the proviso that R in Formula I may be the same as or different from R.sup.1 in Formula II.