Oxidizing a first aromatic compound in the presence of a metal salt to yield a second aromatic compound includes combining the first aromatic compound, the metal salt, and water to yield an aqueous mixture, and heating the aqueous mixture at a temperature exceeding 200° C. to yield a reaction product that includes the second aromatic compound.

An oxidation catalyst for the oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde and acetophenone, the oxidation catalyst comprising: a porous support; and an active phase comprising an oxygen activation metal comprising cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), or a combination thereof. A method of forming the oxidation catalyst, a method of forming an oxidation product comprising benzaldehyde and acetophenone by contacting the oxidation catalyst with styrene and air in an oxidation reactor, and a system and method for reducing the fouling in a process for the production of styrene by introducing an additive stream comprising at least a portion of the oxidation product into a stream comprising styrene and byproduct divinyl benzene (DVB) are also disclosed.

Methods for preparing and purifying 2-monoacylglyceride compounds are disclosed. In one method, an unsaturated triglyceride is reacted with water, a C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alcohol, or a mixture thereof in the presence of a lipase to produce a mixture comprising a 1,3-dihydroxy-2-monoacylglyceride and fatty esters or acids. Reaction of the 1,3-dihydroxy-2-monoacylglyceride with an aldehyde or ketone gives a mixture comprising a 2-monoacylglyceride acetal or ketal. Fatty esters or acids are removed from the mixture as an overhead product by distillation or wiped-film evaporation to isolate a purified 2-monoacylglyceride acetal or ketal. The inventive methods provide a 2-monoacylglyceride protected at the 1- and 3-positions such that the acyl unit remains at the 2-position. The products are enriched in unsaturated fatty acid content when compared with the unsaturated fatty acid content of the original unsaturated triglyceride. Each method utilizes a practical purification scheme that avoids the scale-up or toxicity issues of commonly employed purification strategies.

Methods and systems for recovering materials from streams from processes for the co-production of propylene oxide and styrene monomer. The processes may permit the recovery of products, such a mono-propylene glycol, or the recycling of products, such as -methyl benzyl alcohol.

Methods and systems for recovering materials from streams from processes for the co-production of propylene oxide and styrene monomer. The processes may permit the recovery of products, such a mono-propylene glycol, or the recycling of products, such as -methyl benzyl alcohol.

A method of reducing the fouling in a process for the production of styrene, the method comprising: introducing an additive into a stream comprising styrene and byproduct divinyl benzene (DVB), wherein the additive comprises: at least one chemical compound comprising one or more functional groups selected from amines, alcohols, amino-alcohols, labile CC, esters, carbamates, aldehydes, ketones, acids, acetates, benzoates, labile hydrogen, and combinations thereof, and having a boiling point greater than or equal to 170 C. and within 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 C. of the boiling point of divinyl benzene (DVB) (which is 195 C.), wherein the at least one chemical compound is active to inhibit divinyl benzene (DVB) crosslinking. A system for carrying out the method is also provided.

A method of reducing the fouling in a process for the production of styrene, the method comprising: introducing an additive into a stream comprising styrene and byproduct divinyl benzene (DVB), wherein the additive comprises: at least one chemical compound comprising one or more functional groups selected from amines, alcohols, amino-alcohols, labile CC, esters, carbamates, aldehydes, ketones, acids, acetates, benzoates, labile hydrogen, and combinations thereof, and having a boiling point greater than or equal to 170 C. and within 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 C. of the boiling point of divinyl benzene (DVB) (which is 195 C.), wherein the at least one chemical compound is active to inhibit divinyl benzene (DVB) crosslinking. A system for carrying out the method is also provided.

A compound is provided of Formula (I) ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbon group derived from an alcohol of formula R.sup.1OH, from a formate of formula R.sup.1OCHO, or a cinnamyl aldehyde of Formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein a compound of Formula I is capable of releasing a compound, when oxidized, selected from the group consisting of a fragrant alcohol of formula R.sup.1OH, a fragrant formate ester of formula R.sup.1OCHO and aryl aldehyde of Formula (III) ##STR00003##
wherein R.sup.2 is, independently, hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl group, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkoxy group, or O(CO)CH(CH3).sub.2 wherein any two of R.sup.2 may form an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered ring. The compounds are useful for example as a precursor for the prolonged delivery or release of fragrant compounds such as fragrant alcohols, fragrant aldehydes or fragrant formates.

A compound is provided of Formula (I) ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbon group derived from an alcohol of formula R.sup.1OH, from a formate of formula R.sup.1OCHO, or a cinnamyl aldehyde of Formula (II) ##STR00002##
wherein a compound of Formula I is capable of releasing a compound, when oxidized, selected from the group consisting of a fragrant alcohol of formula R.sup.1OH, a fragrant formate ester of formula R.sup.1OCHO and aryl aldehyde of Formula (III) ##STR00003##
wherein R.sup.2 is, independently, hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl group, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkoxy group, or O(CO)CH(CH3).sub.2 wherein any two of R.sup.2 may form an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered ring. The compounds are useful for example as a precursor for the prolonged delivery or release of fragrant compounds such as fragrant alcohols, fragrant aldehydes or fragrant formates.

Described are methods for preparing phenols, benzene carboxylic acids, esters and anhydrides thereof from furanic compounds by reaction with a dienophile, wherein the furanic compounds are reacted with a hydrazine and/or oxime and then reacted with a dienophile.