Abstract: The invention relates to a process for extracting phenols from aqueous solutions. The extractant used is a salt of an aliphatic amine, having a total carbon number of at least 10, and a strong acid.

Abstract: Process for purification of technical grade pentachlorophenol by immersing the pentachlorophenol in an aqueous alkaline solution or suspension, separating an insoluble portion from the resultant mixture, dissolving the insoluble portion in an aqueous alkaline solution, treating the solution with active charcoal, removing the active charcoal, adding copper sulfate to the solution, removing the deposit which forms from the solution, and recovering pentachlorophenol from the solution. Alternatively, the steps of treatment with active charcoal and addition of copper sulfate can be reversed.

Abstract: A stable creosote product is prepared from which little or no sludge heel settles and which does not require heat to be applied to prevent settling out of solids. The stable product is obtained by a method that mechanically reduces the particle size or the salts that form upon cooling below the limpid point. The layer of salt which settles on the bottom of the beaker is then mechanically broken and homogenized. The fine salts which had previously settled and were homogenized, did not resettle but remained relatively evenly dispersed throughout the mixture and remained dispersed even after prolonged periods of uninterrupted standing. The salts are not allowed to settle before homogenizing. Little or no heel formation was detected in the creosote in which the settled and material was homogenized as described.

Abstract: In a process for purification of wastewater streams containing phenolic impurities wherein the wastewater stream is contacted with an ether extraction solvent for the extractive removal of the phenolic impurities, to form an ether extract phase containing at least a portion of the phenolic impurities and an aqueous raffinate phase depleted in the phenolic impurities, the improvement which comprises effecting the separation of the phases in the presence of a phase separation promoting amount of at least one polyhydric alcohol.

Abstract: A raw 2,6-xylenol product is purified by melting it, then slowly and uniformly cooling it until at least 60 to 100% is crystallized, with the greater concentration of the impurities being present nearer the surface of the resulting crystals, gradually heating the crystalline solid mass to an elevated temperature no higher than by 0.1.degree. to 5.degree. C. below the solidification temperature of 2,6-xylenol to cause only surface melting of the crystals, thus yielding a molten liquid phase and a solid crystalline phase, the solid phase containing 2,6-xylenol in greater purity than the molten phase.

Abstract: Distillation of the heavy waste stream from the manufacture of phenol via the cumene process provides an overhead stream containing phenol, acetophenone and 2-phenyl propionaldehyde. Extraction of the overhead stream with aqueous caustic removes the phenol and subsequent distillation of the remaining two components in the presence of a catalytic amount of caustic provides a substantially pure acetophenone distillate.

Abstract: Occluded organic solvent is removed from bisphenol crystals by placing in water maintained at a temperature sufficient to form a molten water-bisphenol phase, holding at that temperature for a time sufficient to transfer the organic solvent to the water phase, flash distilling the organic solvent, cooling molten water-bisphenol phase to produce crystallization and thereafter recovering the bisphenol.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of purifying crude bisphenol-A by crystallization with agitation in phenolic water having less than 30 weight percent phenol. The crystals obtained have a morphology similar to that of aqueous crystallized bisphenol-A with a significantly higher degree of purity than crystals obtained from an aqueous crystallization. The use of an organic solvent, foreign to the bisphenol-A synthesis reaction, for either washing or crystallization can be avoided and only small quantities of phenol and water are required when providing pure bisphenol-A for polycarbonate synthesis by this process.

Abstract: Dinitro alkyl phenols are produced free of tar when the precursor orthoalkylphenol is contacted with a molecular sieve prior to sulfonation, nitration, and air drying. The dinitro alkylphenols produced are free of tars or similar resins and avoid processing problems that are shown in impure prior art products.

Abstract: Phenol is extracted with a chlorinated aromatic extractant, such as p-dichlorobenzene, from an aqueous mixture containing phenol and N-methylpyrrolidone. In an embodiment of this invention the purified N-methylpyrrolidone is recycled for use in a poly(phenylene sulfide) polymerization process.

Abstract: A method for purifying water-crystallized bisphenol-A involving treatment with an aqueous alkaline solution. The concentration of base preferably ranges from 0.1 to 25 weight percent of crude bisphenol-A. The crude bisphenol-A is a solid and preferably at a temperature in the range of about 10.degree. to 80.degree. C.

Abstract: Polyethylene glycols have been found to be selective solvents for the extraction of phenolic compounds from admixture with hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method of eliminating color-causing impurities in mixtures of aminoethylpiperazine, polyoxypropylenediamines and alkylphenols by treatment with N,N-diethylhydroxylamine is described. These alkylphenols such as nonylphenol are used in epoxy resins in the automotive and electronics industry. Discoloration of the phenol and subsequent resin occurs if the phenol is not treated with N,N-diethylhydroxylamine. Quantities on the order of 20 to 500 ppm are effective. The decolorization reaction may be conducted at a temperature in the range from about 25.degree. to 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A process of purifying tris(1-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-tert. butyl phenyl) butane comprises crystallizing it from an aromatic hydrocarbon having 6 to 9 carbon atoms to produce a product containing said hydrocarbon and removing at least part of the hydrocarbon from the product by washing it with a liquid consisting essentially of at least one water miscible alcohol and water.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for removing tar bases and neutral oils from the Lurgi tar acids by treating the tar acids with aqueous sodium bisulfate to change the tar bases to salts and to hydrolyze the neutral oils to hydrolysis products and distilling the tar acids to obtain refined tar acid as the distillate while the tar base salts and neutral oil hydrolysis products remain as residue.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for purifying the tar acid mixture that is obtained from the Lurgi process of coal gasification. The tar acid is treated with dilute aqueous sulfuric acid solution to form non-volatile tar base salts from the tar base component and to hydrolyze the neutral oil component and then distilling the tar acid component off from the non-volatile tar base salts and the hydrolysis products of the neutral oil component.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating 5-isopropyl-m-cresol from other isopropylated m-cresols by treating a mixture of the isopropylated m-cresols with a metal halide salt. The metal halide salt preferentially forms a complex with 5-isopropyl-m-cresol over other related closely-boiling isopropylated m-cresols in the mixture. The preferentially-formed complex of 5-isopropyl-m-cresol may then be isolated from the mixture and the complex decomposed to provide a product substantially enriched in, or substantially entirely composed of, 5-isopropyl-m-cresol. The process is particularly suitable for isolating 5-isopropyl-m-cresol from closely-boiling isomers, and diisopropylated m-cresols.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating t-butylated phenolic compounds from other t-butylated and unbutylated phenolics by treating a mixture of the phenolics with a metal halide salt. The metal halide salt preferentially forms a complex with one of the phenolics over other related phenolics in the mixture. The preferentially-formed complex of one of the phenolics may then be isolated from the mixture and the complex decomposed to provide a product substantially enriched in, or substantially entirely composed of, one phenolic. The process is particularly suitable for resolving a mixture comprising phenol or cresol from their ortho-t-butylated derivatives, or a mixture of two isomeric t-butylated phenols or cresols or a mixture of mono- and di-t-butylated phenols or cresols.

Abstract: Mixtures of crystals and a liquid, ordinarily comprising the mother liquor of the crystals are continuously separated by feeding the mixture into a screw type press having drainage apperatures, thereby subjecting the crystals with the mother liquor entrapped therein to pressures sufficient to substantially reduce the interstitial space between crystals. Reduction of the interstitial space causes the mother liquor to be forced out of the drainage aperatures thus purifying the crystals. This achieves a more effective separation of mother liquor from the crystals than can be achieved by gravity or the use of a device such as a centrifuge and eliminates the need for a foreign solvent to wash the mother liquor from the crystals.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of phenolic compounds from aqueous solutions is disclosed. The process comprises contacting said aqueous solution with an organic solution comprising at least one tertiary phosphine oxide and a high boiling organic solvent.

Abstract: In removing a phenol from an aqueous solution containing the phenol, the phenol could be extracted quite effectively regardless of concentration of the phenol by using, as extracting solvent, a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having a total carbon number of 9 or more either alone or in the state of a dilution with a water-insoluble organic solvent.

Abstract: An extractive distillation process is provided for the separation of phenol and/or cresol from mixtures with high boiling oxygenated compounds such as alkanols, alkanones, cycloalkanones, cycloalkanols, aryl alcohols, aryl ketones or mixtures thereof that have a boiling point of at least about 175.degree. C. The process involves distilling the phenol and/or cresol-high boiling oxygenated compound mixture in the presence of at least one extractive solvent comprising a substituted phenol and/or substituted cresol that has a boiling point between about 195.degree. C. and about 400.degree. C.

Abstract: Alpha-methyl styrene, obtained as a byproduct in the manufacture of phenol is hydrogenated to cumene using hydrogen and standard hydrogenation catalysts which are selective for the ethylenic side chain. Prior to hydrogenation the alpha-methyl styrene is treated to effect removal of hydroxy acetone present. By reducing or eliminating hydroxy acetone, poisoning of the catalyst is prevented. Hydroxy acetone is removed from the alpha-methyl styrene by catalytic pretreatment.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing color, inhibiting color development, and reducing color of monoalkyl phenols by incorporation of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, preferably from about 5 parts per million to about 50 parts per million. Also a color stabilized monoalkyl phenol composition comprising a monoalkyl phenol and a color stabilizing amount of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine.

Abstract: A method for a purifying aqueous effluent streams containing BPA and phenol using liquid-liquid extraction with methyl isobutyl ketone.

Abstract: A method of eliminating color-causing impurities in mixtures of t-butyl alkylphenols by treatment with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)oxazolidine at 90.degree. C. and at atmospheric pressure is described. These phenols are used as peroxide inhibitors in polyoxyalkylene glycols for polyurethane foams. Discoloration of the polyol occurs if the phenol mixture is not treated with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)oxazolidine. The t-butyl alkylphenol mixture is derived from an alkylphenol made over an acid catalyst.

Abstract: A method of purifying bisphenols by (1) crystallizing the crude bis from a single liquid phase containing water, bis and an organic solvent, (2) stripping the remaining mother liquor (containing the impurities) of solvent and water, and (3) mixing it with phenol, (4) contacting the mixture of phenol and mother liquor with a cation exchange resin to convert the impurity to the desired product, (5) stripping the phenol and (6) recycling the remainder to the initial crystallizing step.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for extracting an organic liquid from an organic liquid solute/solvent mixture. The mixture is contacted with a fluid extractant which is at a temperature and pressure to render the extractant a solvent for the solute but not for the solvent. The resulting fluid extract of the solute is then depressurized to give a still feed which is distilled to form still overhead vapors and liquid still bottoms. The enthalpy required to effect this distillation is provided by compressing the still overhead vapors to heat them and indirectly to heat the still feed. The process is particularly suitable for separating mixtures which form azeotropes, e.g., oxygenated hydrocarbon/water mixtures. The energy required in this process is much less than that required to separate such mixtures by conventional distillation techniques.

Abstract: A method of eliminating color-causing impurities in mixtures of t-butylalkyl phenols by treatment with trioxane at 100.degree. C. and 1 atmospheric pressure is described. These phenols are used as peroxide inhibitors in polyol formulations for polyurethane foams. Discoloration of the polyol occurs if the phenol mixture is not treated with trioxane. It is an essential part of the invention that the t-butyl alkylphenol mixture be derived from an alkylphenol made over an acid resin catalyst. Mixtures made by a BF.sub.3 process may not be decolorized by this method. Generally, the color decreases with increasing amounts of trioxane.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to purify crude phenol containing acetol and alpha-methyl styrene prior to hydrogenation to cyclohexanone comprisingcontacting the crude phenol with a catalyst whileheating the crude phenol and catalyst to a temperature between about 140.degree. C. and 190.degree. C.at a pressure between about atmospheric and about 70 psigin an inert atmosphereso that the catalyst causes a reaction between the impurities acetol and alpha-methyl styrene to form cumene and pyruvic aldehyde, thenheating the resultant compounds for a period of 0.1 to about 6 hours under an inert gas sweep at a temperature of from about 150.degree. C. to about 190.degree. C. until the pyruvic aldehyde has decomposed and its decomposition products are swept away in the gas sweep.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the recovery of a cumene/alpha-methylstyrene fraction from a mixture thereof with phenol and water. Said mixture is introduced into a fractionation column at conditions to separate an overhead fraction comprising cumene and alpha-methylstyrene and a phenol bottoms fraction. A vapor stream comprising cumene, alpha-methylstyrene and a phenol-water azeotrope is withdrawn from an intermediate level of said column and condensed to form an organic phase and an aqueous phase comprising phenol. The latter is discharged, and the former is recycled to the column. The overhead fraction thus requires substantially less caustic to neutralize the residual phenol container therein.

Abstract: A method for separating phenols from phenol-containing streams and converting them to ethers by: (a) contacting the phenol-containing stream with a multivalent metal composition capable of forming hydroxy metal phenates with the phenols from the stream; (b) separating the hydroxy metal phenate from the stream; and (c) reacting the hydroxy metal phenate with one or more quaternary Group VA compounds represented by the formula R.sub.3 R'MOR" or R.sub.3 R'MX.

Abstract: An improved process is described for recovery of some of the bisphenol-A values present in the waste streams in an acid-catalyzed bisphenol-A synthesis process.

Abstract: A process for separating phenol from a mixture of the same with cresol which comprises including in the mixture a component which has a dipole moment of 0 to 0.5 Debye and has a boiling point, under 1 bar, in the temperature range from 120.degree. to 220.degree. C. or which has a dipole moment of 0.5 to 2.5 Debyes and has a boiling point, under 1 bar, in the temperature range from 150.degree. to 190.degree. C. and distilling off phenol together with said component to leave behind said cresol.

Abstract: A process for purifying 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl comprising contacting a solution of 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl alkali metal salt with activated carbon followed by removing the activated carbon from the solution and acidifying the solution with sufficient acid to convert essentially all of the 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl alkali metal salt to water insoluble 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl and 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl product containing less than 0.45 weight percent of 4-monohydroxydiphenyl impurity.

Abstract: Dihydric phenol is effectively prevented from discoloration by mixing the dihydric phenol with 0.00001 to 0.1% by weight of hydrocarboxylic acid on the basis of the dihydric phenol.

Abstract: Pure bisphenol-A can be obtained by treating the adduct of the latter and phenol with either toluene or a mixture of toluene and water.

Abstract: Pure bisphenol-A can be obtained by subjecting the adduct of the latter and phenol to spray drying conditions and recovering the bisphenol-A from the released phenol. The use of an inert liquid carrier for the adduct, such as acetone, facilitates the desired separation and purification of the bisphenol-A.

Abstract: Bisphenol-A waste stream derived from the reaction of phenol and acetone in the presence of an acidic condensing agent can be treated with aluminum isopropoxide to obtain good yields of phenol present in the effluent stream either in isolated form or as part of the compounds present in the waste stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of phenols which comprises the steps of (I) decomposing a hydroperoxide of an isopropyl aromatic compound with an acid catalyst, (II) separating the decomposition product obtained in step (I) into acetone, phenols, hydrocarbons and distillation residue by distillation of the decomposition product and (III) thermally decomposing the distillation residue and recycling the resulting crude phenol to step (II), wherein the crude phenol obtained in step (III) is contacted with a glycol to form a hydrocarbon layer and an extract layer comprising the glycol and phenol, and the phenol in said extract layer is recycled to step (II).According to this process, mingling of impurity components having a boiling point close to that of the desired phenol, which are contained in the thermal decomposition product of the distillation residue, into the product phenol can be effectively prevented, and the desired phenol can be obtained at a high purity and at a high recovery yield.

Abstract: Process for removing phenols from phenol-containing streams such as coal liquids by contacting the stream with a multivalent metal composition selected from the group consisting of oxides and/or hydroxides of one or more multivalent metals capable of forming a hydroxy metal phenate with the phenols of the stream; separating the hydroxy metal phenate from the treated stream; and heating the hydroxy metal phenate to its decomposition temperature, thereby forming phenols and oxides of the multivalent metal.

Abstract: Cyclohexylbenzene is separated from a cyclohexylbenzene-cyclohexanone-phenol admixture by liquid-liquid extraction with a non-polar solvent such as hexadecane and a polar solvent, such as sulfolane, diethylene glycol, or mixtures with water. Cyclohexylbenzene is separated from the non-polar phase by fractional distillation. Phenol and cyclohexanone are separated from the polar solvent by fractional distillation.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of hydroxybenzyl alcohols, comprising condensing phenol with formaldehyde in an alkaline solution to form a mixture of ortho- and para-hydroxymethyl phenols, and solvent extracting unreacted phenol from the resulting alkaline hydroxybenzyl alcohol condensate solution. The phenol-reduced hydroxybenzyl alcohol condensate solution is particularly suited for treatment with excess caustic and subsequent oxidation of the resulting aqueous solution of ortho- and para-hydroxybenzyl alcohols-sodium salt to yield the corresponding ortho- and para-hydroxybenzaldehydes-sodium salt.

Abstract: Phenol-, cyclohexanone-, and cyclohexylbenzene-containing mixtures are extractively distilled to provide an overhead of cyclohexanone substantially free of phenol and cyclohexylbenzene and a bottoms containing phenol and cyclohexylbenzene, substantially free of cyclohexanone by employing a nitrile solvent.

Abstract: In a process for producing cyclohexanone comprising hydrogenating phenol in the liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst composed of a carrier having deposited thereon a layer of palladium and an alkali metal compound as a promoter, the improvement wherein the carrier consists of carbon particles having diameters of 5 to 300 microns and the catalyst is admixed with 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, per part of catalyst, of carbon particles having diameters less than 5 microns. This improvement effectively reduces long-term accumulation of catalyst poisons on the catalyst, including catalyst poisons that are by-products of the hydrogenation reaction.

Abstract: A process is described for the removal of halogen residues from a reaction mixture containing 3,5-xylenol and halogen residues, produced via the heating of isophorone at a temperature of about 450.degree. C. to about 650.degree. C. in the presence of a homogeneous halogen-containing catalyst, said removal being accomplished by contacting the reaction mixture with a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, iron, magnesium, cadmium, cobalt and nickel.

Abstract: An extractive distillation process for separating one or more members of the group consisting of alkanols, alkanones, cycloalkanols and/or cycloalkanones from mixtures with phenol and/or cresol. One or more members of the group consisting of alkylated or unmodified cycloalkyl or aryl-derivatives of cyclohexanone or cyclohexanol having up to about 22 carbon atoms are employed as extractive solvent.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating waste liquor or waste water containing free phenols in excess of 10,000 ppm, harmful to aerobic bacteria present in the activated sludge for general purpose, comprising the steps of (1) reducing the phenol content to 100 ppm or less by means of solvent extraction or adsorption, (2) conditioning the waste water obtained in step (1) in a large conditioning tank to adjust the pH, temperature and BOD, (3) treating the waste water obtained in step (2) in an aerating tank by means of activated sludge for general purpose containing aerobic bacteria, and (4) separating the treated water from the sludge in a sedimentation tank. Preferably above 10 to 50 weight percent of the treated water is recycled to the conditioning step (2).

Abstract: An improved process for recovering phenol from phenol-water mixtures by distillation is provided by carrying out the distillation in a manner which avoids the normal phenol-water azeotropic limitation by introducing a ketone-hydrocarbon mixture into the upper section of a fractional distillation column used for the recovery. Mixtures of benzene or lower alkyl substituted benzene with lower ketones are employed in the process.

Abstract: A process is provided for extracting phenol from phenol-water mixtures using a hydrocarbon-extracting medium having an improved extraction coefficient. The extracting medium comprises a mixture of a hydrocarbon component containing at least a substantial amount of an aromatic hydrocarbon for example benzene, and a ketone component, for example 2-butanone.