The present invention generally relates to processes for purification, recovery, and conversion of chlorophenol salts (e.g., 2,5-dichlorophenol and salts thereof). In various aspects, the present invention is related to removing one or more impurities from chlorophenol salt-containing process streams and/or recovering chlorophenol salts from process streams for use of the recovered chlorophenol elsewhere in an integrated process. Process streams that may be treated in accordance with the present invention include those incorporating one or more chlorophenol salts in a feed mixture and also those where one or more chlorophenol salts are present in a product or by-product stream of an integrated process. For example, conversion processes of the present invention are suitable as one piece of an integrated process for producing 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) or a salt or ester thereof or a process for producing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or a salt or ester thereof. The present invention further relates to processes for preparation, purification, and recovery of intermediates formed in integrated processes utilizing chlorophenol salts such as 2,5-dichlorophenol as starting material, including the intermediate 3,6-dichlorosalicylic acid (3,6-DCSA) formed during preparation of dicamba from 2,5-dichlorophenol.

Catalyst regeneration processes that include measures for controlling emissions generated during the regeneration are described. The present invention further relates to catalytic processes for producing various chlorinated aromatic compounds that include provisions for controlling emissions during catalyst regeneration.

Catalyst regeneration processes that include measures for controlling emissions generated during the regeneration are described. The present invention further relates to catalytic processes for producing various chlorinated aromatic compounds that include provisions for controlling emissions during catalyst regeneration.

Various processes for the separation of a mixture containing dichlorophenols are described. In various aspects, the present invention relates to separation processes that produce an extract enriched in 2,4-dichlorophenol content and an extract enriched in 2,5-dichlorophenol content. The present invention further relates to various processes that integrate with these separation processes, such as a process for producing 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) or salt or ester thereof or a process for producing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or salt or ester thereof.

Various processes for the separation of a mixture containing dichlorophenols are described. In various aspects, the present invention relates to separation processes that produce an extract enriched in 2,4-dichlorophenol content and an extract enriched in 2,5-dichlorophenol content. The present invention further relates to various processes that integrate with these separation processes, such as a process for producing 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) or salt or ester thereof or a process for producing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or salt or ester thereof.

Various processes for the separation of a mixture containing dichlorophenols are described. In various aspects, the present invention relates to separation processes that produce an extract enriched in 2,4-dichlorophenol content and an extract enriched in 2,5-dichlorophenol content. The present invention further relates to various processes that integrate with these separation processes, such as a process for producing 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) or salt or ester thereof or a process for producing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or salt or ester thereof.

In the process of the present disclosure 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (DICAMBA) is prepared from 2,5-dichloroaniline in high purity and high yield. DICAMBA is obtained with purity greater than 98.5%.

In the process of the present disclosure 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (DICAMBA) is prepared from 2,5-dichloroaniline in high purity and high yield. DICAMBA is obtained with purity greater than 98.5%.

The present invention relates to a process for providing a compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein R is hydrogen or R, wherein R is (C.sub.1-C.sub.4)alkyl, and Hal is a halogen, the process comprising the step of:
reacting a compound of formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein Hal is defined as above,
with an alkali metal alkoxide of the formula XOR, wherein X is an alkali metal, and R is defined as above.

The present invention relates to a process for providing a compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein R is hydrogen or R, wherein R is (C.sub.1-C.sub.4)alkyl, and Hal is a halogen, the process comprising the step of:
reacting a compound of formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein Hal is defined as above,
with an alkali metal alkoxide of the formula XOR, wherein X is an alkali metal, and R is defined as above.