Process for reducing the water and carboxylic acid content of an alcohol composition containing at least one C.sub.1-4 alcohol, water and at least one C.sub.1-4 carboxylic acid by (a) forming a vapor phase alcohol composition A and a liquid phase alcohol composition B, (b) separating a second vapor phase alcohol composition C and an aqueous phase D from the liquid phase alcohol composition B, the aqueous phase D containing the majority of the carboxylic acid that was present in the liquid phase alcohol composition B; (c) passing the vapor phase alcohol composition A to a drying unit, (d) passing the vapor phase alcohol composition C to a drying unit; and (e) recovering an alcohol composition from the drying units of steps (c) and (d). The recovered alcohol composition of step (e) has a reduced water and carboxylic acid content.

Process for reducing the water and carboxylic acid content of an alcohol composition containing at least one C.sub.1-4 alcohol, water and at least one C.sub.1-4 carboxylic acid by (a) forming a vapor phase alcohol composition A and a liquid phase alcohol composition B, (b) separating a second vapor phase alcohol composition C and an aqueous phase D from the liquid phase alcohol composition B, the aqueous phase D containing the majority of the carboxylic acid that was present in the liquid phase alcohol composition B; (c) passing the vapor phase alcohol composition A to a drying unit, (d) passing the vapor phase alcohol composition C to a drying unit; and (e) recovering an alcohol composition from the drying units of steps (c) and (d). The recovered alcohol composition of step (e) has a reduced water and carboxylic acid content.

The present invention relates to a process for reacting chemical compounds comprising the step of reacting a compound of formula (IV) ##STR00001##
wherein Hal is independently selected from Cl or Br, and X.sup.? is a monovalent anion, in the presence of an inorganic acid, wherein the aqueous inorganic acid has a concentration of at least about 60%, at a temperature of about 140? C. to about 250? C., to obtain a compound of formula (V) ##STR00002##
wherein Hal is as defined above.

The present invention relates to a process for reacting chemical compounds comprising the step of reacting a compound of formula (IV) ##STR00001##
wherein Hal is independently selected from Cl or Br, and X.sup.? is a monovalent anion, in the presence of an inorganic acid, wherein the aqueous inorganic acid has a concentration of at least about 60%, at a temperature of about 140? C. to about 250? C., to obtain a compound of formula (V) ##STR00002##
wherein Hal is as defined above.

A method for cultivating Monarda fistulosa for production of thymoquinone includes planting seeds at rates between about 2.5 and about 5 pounds per acre, preferably about 4 pounds per acre. The heavy rate of planting produces plants bearing oil without weed contamination and reduces herbicide use due to production of natural herbicides by the monarda plants. Seeding and mowing the first season, and harvesting in seasons thereafter reduce costs. The method results in increased production of essential oils including thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone at levels up to about 40% or more of recovered oils, and which may be distilled from the plant.

A method for cultivating Monarda fistulosa for production of thymoquinone includes planting seeds at rates between about 2.5 and about 5 pounds per acre, preferably about 4 pounds per acre. The heavy rate of planting produces plants bearing oil without weed contamination and reduces herbicide use due to production of natural herbicides by the monarda plants. Seeding and mowing the first season, and harvesting in seasons thereafter reduce costs. The method results in increased production of essential oils including thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone at levels up to about 40% or more of recovered oils, and which may be distilled from the plant.

A method for cultivating Monarda fistulosa for production of thymoquinone includes planting seeds at rates between about 2.5 and about 5 pounds per acre, preferably about 4 pounds per acre. The heavy rate of planting produces plants bearing oil without weed contamination and reduces herbicide use due to production of natural herbicides by the monarda plants. Seeding and mowing the first season, and harvesting in seasons thereafter reduce costs. The method results in increased production of essential oils including thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone at levels up to about 40% or more of recovered oils, and which may be distilled from the plant.

A method for cultivating Monarda fistulosa for production of thymoquinone includes planting seeds at rates between about 2.5 and about 5 pounds per acre, preferably about 4 pounds per acre. The heavy rate of planting produces plants bearing oil without weed contamination and reduces herbicide use due to production of natural herbicides by the monarda plants. Seeding and mowing the first season, and harvesting in seasons thereafter reduce costs. The method results in increased production of essential oils including thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone at levels up to about 40% or more of recovered oils, and which may be distilled from the plant.

A method for cultivating Monarda for production of thymoquinone includes plug planting Monarda fistulosa and/or Monarda didyma plants between about 24,000 and about 44,000 plants per acre. The cultivation method produces plants bearing oil without weed contamination and reduces herbicide use due to production of natural herbicides by the monarda plants. The method results in increased production of essential oils including thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone and may include propogating plants from clones to obtain thymohydroquinone at levels up to about 40% or more of the recovered oils.

A method for cultivating Monarda for production of thymoquinone includes plug planting Monarda fistulosa and/or Monarda didyma plants between about 24,000 and about 44,000 plants per acre. The cultivation method produces plants bearing oil without weed contamination and reduces herbicide use due to production of natural herbicides by the monarda plants. The method results in increased production of essential oils including thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone and may include propogating plants from clones to obtain thymohydroquinone at levels up to about 40% or more of the recovered oils.