The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of aromatic carbonyl compounds of formula I, which can be obtained through reaction of compounds of formula II with molecular oxygen in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst, which is composed of a cobalt(II) salt and N,N′,N″-trihydroayisocyanuric acid (THICA).

A process for oxidizing methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds comprises contacting a mixture comprising isomers of at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound with a source of oxygen, wherein the mixture comprises at least 20 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 2-position or a 3-position on at least one benzene ring and at least 50 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 4-position on at least one benzene ring, wherein said percentages are based on the total weight of the at least one methylbiphenyl compound in the mixture.

A process for oxidizing methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds comprises contacting a mixture comprising isomers of at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound with a source of oxygen, wherein the mixture comprises at least 20 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 2-position or a 3-position on at least one benzene ring and at least 50 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 4-position on at least one benzene ring, wherein said percentages are based on the total weight of the at least one methylbiphenyl compound in the mixture.

A process for oxidizing methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds comprises contacting a mixture comprising isomers of at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound with a source of oxygen, wherein the mixture comprises at least 20 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 2-position or a 3-position on at least one benzene ring and at least 50 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 4-position on at least one benzene ring, wherein said percentages are based on the total weight of the at least one methylbiphenyl compound in the mixture.

The present invention pertains to a process for the cross-ketonization (Piria reaction) between an aryl carboxylic acid and an aliphatic carboxylic acid using a metal-based compound and a slight or a moderate excess of aryl carboxylic acid. A good selectivity, up to 99 mol %, can be achieved. The aryl aliphatic ketone can be used for the preparation of surfactants and other downstream products.

The present invention pertains to a process for the cross-ketonization (Piria reaction) between an aryl carboxylic acid and an aliphatic carboxylic acid using a metal-based compound and a slight or a moderate excess of aryl carboxylic acid. A good selectivity, up to 99 mol %, can be achieved. The aryl aliphatic ketone can be used for the preparation of surfactants and other downstream products.

A built-in micro interfacial enhanced reaction system and process for PTA production with PX are provided. The system includes a reactor and a micro interfacial unit disposed inside reactor. The reactor includes a shell, an inner cylinder concentrically disposed inside shell, and a circulating heat exchange device partially disposed outside shell, inner cylinder having a bottom end connected to inner bottom surface of the shell in closed manner and an open top end, a region between shell and inner cylinder being first reaction zone, inner cylinder containing second reaction zone and third reaction zone from top to bottom, circulating heat exchange device being connected to inner cylinder and micro interfacial unit respectively. The invention can solve problems of large waste of reaction solvent acetic acid under high temperature and high pressure and being unable to take out the product TA in time during existing process of PTA production with PX.

A built-in micro interfacial enhanced reaction system and process for PTA production with PX are provided. The system includes a reactor and a micro interfacial unit disposed inside reactor. The reactor includes a shell, an inner cylinder concentrically disposed inside shell, and a circulating heat exchange device partially disposed outside shell, inner cylinder having a bottom end connected to inner bottom surface of the shell in closed manner and an open top end, a region between shell and inner cylinder being first reaction zone, inner cylinder containing second reaction zone and third reaction zone from top to bottom, circulating heat exchange device being connected to inner cylinder and micro interfacial unit respectively. The invention can solve problems of large waste of reaction solvent acetic acid under high temperature and high pressure and being unable to take out the product TA in time during existing process of PTA production with PX.

The present invention pertains to a process for the cross-ketonization (Piria reaction) between an aryl carboxylic acid and an aliphatic carboxylic acid using a metal-based compound and a slight or a moderate excess of aryl carboxylic acid. A good selectivity, up to 99 mol %, can be achieved. The aryl aliphatic ketone can be used for the preparation of surfactants and other downstream products.

The present invention pertains to a process for the cross-ketonization (Piria reaction) between an aryl carboxylic acid and an aliphatic carboxylic acid using a metal-based compound and a slight or a moderate excess of aryl carboxylic acid. A good selectivity, up to 99 mol %, can be achieved. The aryl aliphatic ketone can be used for the preparation of surfactants and other downstream products.