The Dow Chemical Company

George D Shier

John W Bozzelli

Charles W Martin

Roscoe L Pearce

Nancy J Morris

Donald N Bremer

Ethylene glycol mono- and dialkanoates are produced by the vapor phase reaction of ethylene, molecular oxygen, and a lower alkanoic acid at about 150.degree. C.-225.degree. C. in the presence of an iodine source and a catalyst consisting essentially of bismuth-stabilized TeO.sub.2 on a carbon support.

Process for making glycol esters

N-substituted cyclic imides of diacids such as oxydiacetic acid and N-substituted iminodiacetic acid are produced by contacting a hydroxy amide of the formula

Process for production of piperazinediones

Hydrogen sulfide and lower alkyl mercaptans are selectively extracted from a gas stream by contacting the stream with piperazinone or an alkyl substituted piperazinone which may contain a substantial proportion of water. The absorbed sulfur compounds can be regenerated by heating the extraction liquid to about 85.degree.-150.degree. C.

Absorption of sulfur compounds from gas streams

The hydrolysis of carbon oxysulfide is catalyzed by piperazinone and alkyl-substituted piperazinones at ambient or below ambient temperatures. The hydrolysis step can be combined with a sour gas purification process in the treatment of refinery gases, coal gasification streams, and other such gases which contain COS and other acidic contaminants.

Hydrolysis of carbon oxysulfide

Process for production of oxazine diones

Morpholinones are efficient selective solvents for aromatic hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon mixtures containing same. For example, N-methyl-3-morpholinone is an efficient selective solvent for benzene, toluene, and xylene from a hydrocarbon stream obtained from a catalytic reformer.

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Midland, MI, United States of America

George D Shier