Abstract: A process for the preparation of phenyl esters and phenol in which a feed mixture of benzene, molecular oxygen, a lower carboxylic acid and optionally water is passed over a catalyst composed of a palladium carboxylate, an antimony carboxylate and a chromium carboxylate is described.

Abstract: A process for preparing a methyl phenol from a tertiary hydroperoxide in an oxidation product of an alkylbenzene of the general structural formula ##STR1## wherein R is a secondary alkyl group and n is an integer of 1 to 3, which comprises hydrogenating the oxidation product in the presence of a mineral acid medium with a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: A method for production of phenol or nucleus-substituted phenols from benzoic acid or nucleus-substituted benzoic acids by gas-phase catalytic oxidation characterized by using an oxide catalyst of the formula,Mo.sub.a W.sub.b X.sub.c Y.sub.d Z.sub.e O.sub.fwherein Mo is molybdenum, W is at least one of vanadium, niobium and tantalum, X is at least one of copper, silver, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, rhodium, palladium and platinum, Y is at least one of cerium, uranium, zirconium, chromium, tungsten, zinc, cadmium, tin, phosphorus, antimony, bismuth and tellurium, Z is at least one of thallium, alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, and when a is fixed to 12, b is 0.1 to 60, c is 0.1 to 60, d is 0 to 24, e is 0.1 to 120 and f is the number of oxygen atoms satisfying the valence of other elements.

Abstract: Benzene is catalytically oxidized in the vapor phase with oxygen in the presence of an alcohol to be converted to phenol. The catalyst used is represented by the formula: M.sub.a Ag.sub.b P.sub.c O.sub.d wherein M is selected from zinc, titanium, zirconium, tin, bismuth and vanadium, Ag is silver, P is phosphorus and O is oxygen, and a=1, b=0.005.about.5 and c=0 to 6. Phenol is obtained at an enhanced yield even though the catalytic oxidation is carried out at a relatively low temperature as compared with conventional catalytic oxidation processes.

Abstract: A reagent, comprising the product of the reaction of an alkali metal with a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen, effects complete decomposition of halogenated organic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), when mixed therewith in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A catalyst comprised of oxidized copper, zirconium and an alkali metal is employed for oxidizing an aromatic carboxylic acid to the corresponding phenol; e.g., benzoic acid to phenol.

Abstract: Cyclohexanone and/or cyclohexanol can be oxidized in the vapor phase to phenol by contacting the cyclohexanone and/or cyclohexanol with a suitable oxidation catalyst in the presence of molecular oxygen. Suitable catalysts are solids comprising Mo, W, Sb and/or V oxides or complexes thereof. The catalysts may be promoted with additional elements.

Abstract: Aromatic aldehydes wherein the aldehyde group is directly attached to the aromatic ring are oxidized directly to phenolic compounds in the vapor phase. Tar and carbonaceous product formation are minimized by the method of preheating and mixing the reactants and by a rapid reaction temperature quench of the reaction mixture to below 0.degree. C. Mixing temperature is 300.degree.-350.degree. C. and reaction temperature is 400.degree.-600.degree. C. at 1-10 atmosphere pressure.