Halcon International, Inc.

Halcon Research and Development Corp.

Oxirane Corporation

John P Schmidt

Propylene oxide is separated from contaminating quantities of methanol and acetone by extractive distillation with water.

Purification of propylene oxide by extractive distillation

Benzene is oxidized with air to produce maleic anhydride in catalyst-containing reactors arranged in series, the gaseous effluent from the first reactor being passed to the second reactor after introduction of substantial amounts of benzene.

Two stage maleic anhydride process

The present invention is concerned with an improved process for the molecular oxygen oxidation of ethylbenzene in the liquid phase to ethylbenzene hydroperoxide. The improved process is particularly concerned with carrying out the oxidation in a series of separate oxidation zones at substantially constant pressure with the temperature being progressively reduced from zone to zone in the liquid phase, the temperature reduction and control being accomplished by recycle of inert gases.

Preparation of ethylbenzene hydroperoxide

Metallic catalyst is removed selectively from an epoxidation effluent containing the catalyst and acidic materials by contacting the effluent with a specified quantity of an aqueous basic solution to preferentially remove the metallic catalyst therefrom without substantial removal of acidic materials therefrom, and thereafter neutralizing the acidic materials.

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Princeton, NJ, United States of America

John P Schmidt