Allied Corporation

Allied Chemical Corporation

Fred J Gefri

Lowell R Anderson

Dale K Huggins

Divakaran Masilamani

Andiappan K Murthy

A novel process is described for the production of aliphatic ketones and an optional consequetive production of the corresponding carbinols. The starting reactants comprise ketones or aldehydes or compounds capable of converting to these in situ, such as alcohols. The reaction takes place in the presence of hydrogen in a selective temperature range, utilizing a catalyst comprising copper oxide.

Process for the production of ketones and carbinols

The invention provides a cyclic process for recovering copper from sulfide ores containing copper and iron which comprises reacting the sulfide ore with sulfur dioxide gas at a temperature of at least about 500.degree. C. to form elemental sulfur, removing the elemental sulfur, reacting the residual solids with concentrated sulfuric acid at a temperature of about 180.degree. to 500.degree. C. to form copper sulfate and sulfur dioxide gas, recycling the sulfur dioxide gas for reaction with additional ore, roasting the remaining solids at a temperature of about 400.degree. C. to 900.degree. C., leaching the roasted solids with an aqueous solution to solubilize the copper sulfate and recovering copper from the solubilized copper sulfate. In another embodiment of the invention, the roasting step is eliminated by removing magnetite from the solids remaining after removal of the elemental sulfur.

Growing community of inventors

Hackettstown, NJ, United States of America

Fred J Gefri