Abstract: A catalyst system and process for the oxidative cleavage of alkenes with hydrogen peroxide is provided. The catalyst system comprises a source of ruthenium, a source of molybdenum and a phase transfer agent. The process comprises contacting an alkene with the hydrogen peroxide in the presence of the above catalyst system. Sources of ruthenium and molybdenum comprise the metals, salts or complexes. Preferred sources are RuCl.sub.3 and MoO.sub.3. The phase transfer agent is preferably a quaternary ammonium salt. The process usually takes place in the presence of an organic solvent, preferably t-butanol.

Abstract: A process for the catalysed oxidation of ketones to esters or lactones with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a carboxylic acid or anhydride is provided. The process employs gamma alumina as a heterogeneous catalyst. In certain preferred embodiments the catalyst also contains a tungsten-containing heteropolyacid. Preferably, the heteropolyacid contains phosphorus. In a related process, the catalyst accelerates the formation of percarboxylic acid solutions.

Abstract: A process for the controlled oxidation of alkyaromatic compounds comprises reacting said compounds with an oxidising system, comprising cobalt (II) ions, bromide ions, and hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of an appropriate protic solvent.The process is particularly useful in the selective oxidation of poly(alkyl)aromatic compounds.

Abstract: Alkenes can be expoxidized with hydrogen peroxide using a homogeneous heavy metal catalyst, but discharge of spent reaction mixtures releases the heavy metal in the environment. The problem can be ameliorated by selecting a heterogeneous catalyst system comprising a tungsten-containing heteropolyacid supported on selected Group IIa, IIb, IVa or IVb inorganic supports or on a strong basic resin, which catalyst has either been calcined after impregnation of in the impregnation stage an alcoholic solution of the heteropolyacid is employed and by employing a nitrilo or oxygenated polar solvent reaction medium. A number of preferred heteropolyacids satisfy the empirical formula M.sub.3/n PW.sub.w MO.sub.12-w O.sub.40 in which w represents an integer of at least 1, M represents a counterion and n its basicity. Preferred supports include activated alumina, calcined at 400.degree. to 600.degree. C. and cross-linked quaternary ammonium-substituted polystyrene resins.

Abstract: Phenols, and related aromatic compounds, phenolic ethers, can be hydroxylated selectively using hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an amorphous or microcrystalline zirconium phosphate catalyst in a solvent containing an aliphatic carboxylic acid. The process is particularly suitable for phenol itself, and advantageously employs a partially dehydrated microcrystalline catalyst obtained by heating an hydrated microcrystalline zirconium phosphate for example at about 100.degree. C. A convenient reaction temperature is 50.degree. to 90.degree. C., and convenient solvent is acetic acid. In an improved method of producing the catalyst, zirconium phosphate is precipitated from an aqueous phosphoric acid solution of zirconium oxychloride in the presence of a cationic phase transfer agent such as an alkylpyridinium salt or tetraalkylquaternary ammonium salt or a nonionic surfactant such as an alcohol ethoxylate.

Abstract: Hydroxylation of phenol is prone to the production of tarry by-products. Selective hydroxylation of phenol can be obtained by reacting a limited amount of hydrogen peroxide with phenol in solution in a compatible organic solvent and in the presence of a catalyst that is at least partly soluble in the reaction medium and is the salt of a heteropolyacid of general formula: i) Q.sub.3 PMo.sub.m W.sub.12-m O.sub.40 or ii) Q.sub.3+v PM.sub.n V.sub.v O.sub.40, in which Q represents a compatible organic cation, m is zero or an integer less than 6, M represents molybdenum or tungsten, v is an integer which is up to 3, and n is an integer such that n+v=12. A preferred organic cation comprises cetyl pyridinium. Selectivity towards catechol is particularly observed employing heteropolyacid salts in which m=0 in formula i) and when n=11 and M=tungsten in formula ii) and towards hydroquinone when n=11 and M=molybdenum in formula ii). Preferably the reaction medium comprises acetonitrile.

Abstract: A supported Ziegler catalyst prepared by the following steps, carried out under anhydrous conditions:(A) reacting a hydroxyl groups-containing support material comprising magnesium silicate or silica and magnesia with one or more organo-metallic compounds having the general formula MR.sup.1.sub.a Q.sub.b-a wherein M is a metal which is aluminium, boron, lithium, zinc or magnesium, R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbyl group, Q is halogen or an oxyhydrocarbyl group, b is the valency of M and a is an integer from 1 to b,(B) removing unreacted organometallic compound, if any, from the produced solid material,(C) impregnating the solid material obtained from step B with one or more halogen-containing transition metal compounds wherein the transition metal(s) comprise titanium, vanadium or zirconium.

Abstract: A supported Ziegler catalyst prepared by the following steps:(A) heating together at a temperature in the range of 250.degree. to 1100.degree. C. a refractory oxide support material having surface hydroxyl groups and one or more halogen-free metal derivatives which are hydrides and/or organic derivatives of the metal.(B) reacting the product from (A) with one or more organometallic compounds having the feneral formula MR.sup.1.sub.a Q.sub.b-a wherein M is a metal atom, R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbon group, Q is a halogen or an oxyhydrocarbyl group, b is the valency of M and a is an integer from 1 to b and wherein the metal atom M is aluminium, boron, lithium, zinc or magnesium,(C) impregnating the solid product from step (B) with one or more halogen-containing transition metal compounds wherein the transition metal or metals comprise titanium and/or vanadium and/or zirconium.

Abstract: A supported Ziegler catalyst component prepared by (A) reacting a refractory oxide support material having surface --OH groups, for example silica, with halogen-containing transition metal compound, eg titanium tetrachloride, (B) reacting the product with an organometallic compound, for example triethyl aluminium and (C) reacting with transition metal compound in which vanadium is present, for example vanadyl chloride. The catalyst component is conventionally activated with organometallic compound and can be used to polymerize 1-olefins, for example ethylene.

Abstract: A process for preparing a supported Ziegler catalyst component by reacting together an alcohol and a halogen-containing transition metal compound in the presence of a zinc halide, and impregnating a support material having surface hydroxyl groups with the reaction mixture. The alcohol can be aliphatic or aromatic, for example, isopropanol. The transition metal compound can be, for example, a halide, halo-alkoxide or oxyhalide of titanium, vanadium, zirconium or chromium. The zinc halide is preferably zinc chloride. The supported catalyst component can be activated using conventional Ziegler catalyst activators and used to polymerize 1-olefins.

Abstract: A female tee pipe fitting has a stop only in one of its three openings, the other two coaxial openings which are perpendicular to the first opening have smooth inner surfaces and no stops. When two pipes are to be connected, one of the pipes is severed and a section of pipe removed leaving two free ends. A smooth opening of the female tee pipe fitting is slipped over one free end of the severed pipe and then slid out to slide over the other free end of the severed pipe. After the female tee has been centered, the second pipe is inserted within the opening of the female tee pipe fitting with the stop and the joints sealed.