The Dow Chemical Company

Richard P Kolonko

Richard Michael Wehmeyer

Marlin E Walters

Bonnie K Mettetal

A process for the oxidation of a fluorene compound to a corresponding fluorenone compound comprises treating the fluorene compound with an oxidizing gas in the presence of a solid alkali metal or alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide or a concentrated aqueous solution thereof in a reaction mixture in a non-aqueous heterocylic nitrogenous solvent, wherein the reaction mixture is free of a phase transfer agent, for a time sufficient and at a temperature sufficient to convert the fluorene compound to the fluorenone compound.

Process for making fluorenones

Carbonyl impurities in acrylic acid are removed by reacting them with a 1,2-glycol prior to distillation. The acetal-type products remain as heavies in the distillation bottoms.

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Lake Jackson, TX, United States of America

Richard P Kolonko