Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the reduction of nitro groups to amino groups, characterized that a nitro compound is reacted with hydrogen in the presence of an aqueous solution of a water-soluble metal catalyst of the formula M (L).sub.n (Y).sub.m wherein M is ruthenium, rhodium, nickel, or palladium; L, is a water soluble ligand; Y is a further ligand or an alkaline earth ion; n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and m is 0, 1, or 2.

Abstract: A process for separating rhodium from mixtures thereof, comprising extracting said rhodium with an aqueous solution of a rhodium complexing agent and a solubilizer. A process for preparing aldehydes in the presence of both the complexing agent and the solubilizer is also set forth. The solubilizer is generally selected from salts of carboxylic acids having 8-20 carbon atoms, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, amines and quaternary ammonium compounds of Formula II ##STR1## wherein A is alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, aryl having 6-25 carbon atoms, or R.sup.7 CONHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --wherein R.sup.7 is alkyl having 5-11 carbon atoms; B is an alkyl having 1-25 carbon atoms, an aryl having 6-25 carbon atoms, or an .omega.-hydroxy alkyl having 1-4 carbon atoms; C and D are each independently an alkyl or .omega.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of aldehydes including reacting olefins with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an aqueous liquid phase in the presence of a rhodium catalyst and a specific class of water soluble aryl phosphines. These phosphines are preferably mixtures of alkali metal salts and quaternary ammonium salts of sulfonated aryl phosphines.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of aldehydes by hydroformylation of olefins in the presence of an aqueous solution containing rhodium as a catalyst. The aqueous solution preferably contains rhodium in a concentration of 450 to 800 weight-ppm and sulfonated or carboxylated triarylphosphines as complex ligands in a concentration of 25 to 30% by weight, both based on the aqueous solution.

Abstract: In a hydroformylation process for the preparation of aldehydes by reacting aliphatic olefins of 2 to 12 carbon atoms with carbon monoxide and hydrogen at temperatures of 20.degree. to 150.degree. C. and pressures of 0.1 to 20 mPa in the liquid phase and in the presence of an aqueous solution of a catalyst containing originally 50 to 800 wt. ppm of rhodium and 25 to 30 wt. % of complex-forming, sulfonated or carboxylated triarylphosphines, in each case based on the aqueous solution, the improvement comprising adding fresh phosphine solution to maintain the original phosphine concentration, until the total concentration of complex-forming phosphines and secondary and degradation products of the phosphines not capable of forming complexes amounts to about 35 to 45 wt. % based on the aqueous solution to selectively form n-aldehydes.

Abstract: In a hydroformylation process for the preparation of aldehydes by reacting aliphatic olefins of 2 to 12 carbon atoms with carbon monoxide and hydrogen at temperatures of 20.degree. to 150.degree. C. and pressures of 0.1 to 20 mPa in the liquid phase and in the presence of an aqueous solution containing 50 to 800 wt. ppm of rhodium and 25 to 30 wt. % of phosphines, in each case based on the aqueous solution as a catalyst system and in addition the transformation products of the phosphines, the improvement comprising draining off a portion of the aqueous solution of the catalyst system together with the reaction product and replacing the same by fresh aqueous solution of the catalyst system whereby the original catalyst selectivity for formation of n-aldehydes is maintained.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a rhodium catalyst comprising dissolving a carboxylic acid salt of rhodium in a solvent taken from the class consisting of aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof. The carboxylic acid has 2 to 18 carbon atoms. This salt is reacted with carbon monoxide and hydrogen to form a rhodium hydridrocarbonyl which is reacted with an aqueous solution of a triaryl phosphine. The aqueous solution may be present during the initial reaction of the rhodium salt or may be added thereafter. A catalyst which is the product of the foregoing process is also disclosed, as is a method of producing aldehydes using the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for separating rhodium from mixtures thereof, comprising extracting said rhodium with an aqueous solution of a rhodium complexing agent and a solubilizer. A process for preparing aldehydes in the presence of both the complexing agent and the solubilizer is also set forth. The solubilizer is generally selected from salts of carboxylic acids having 8-20 carbon atoms, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, amines and quaternary ammonium compounds of Formula II ##STR1## wherein A is alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, aryl having 6-25 carbon atoms, or R.sup.7 CONHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --wherein R.sup.7 is alkyl having 5-11 carbon atoms; B is an alkyl having 1-25 carbon atoms, an aryl having 6-25 carbon atoms, or an .omega.-hydroxy alkyl having 1-4 carbon atoms; C and D are each independently an alkyl or .omega.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of nonadecanediols by the hydroformylation of oleyl alcohol. Rhodium and salts of sulfonated or carboxylated triarylphosphines, which are soluble in organic media and insoluble in water, are used as hydroformylation catalysts. The hydroformylation product is then treated with a diluted solution of a base dissolved in water, the aqueous phase separated and the hydroformylation product treated with hydrogen at elevated temperature in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to new quaternary ammonium salts of di and trisulfonated triarylphosphines as well as a process for their preparation. The salts are of Formula I ##STR1## wherein Ar.sub.1, Ar.sub.2, and Ar.sub.3 are each independently an aryl; X.sup.1, X.sup.2, and X.sup.3 are each independently a sulfogroup; y.sup.1, y.sup.2, and y.sup.3 are each independently 0 or 1, provided that their sum is at least 1; A is an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aralkyl, or aryl having 6-25 carbon atoms; B, C, and D are straight chain or branched alkyl having 1-4 carbons; and n is a whole number of 1-3.

Abstract: A process for the production of 2-ethyl-hexanol comprising reacting propene with carbon monoxide and hydrogen, in the presence of an aqueous catalyst containing rhodium and at least one sulfonated triarylphosphine, to form an aqueous phase and an organic phase, said organic phase comprising a mixture of materials having boiling points lower than that of n-butanal and substances having boiling points equal to or higher than that of n-butanal, said materials including i-butanal, separating said material from said substances, subjecting said substances to aldol condensation, in the presence of aqueous alkali, to form 2-ethyl hexenal, first hydrogenating said 2-ethyl-hexenal in a gas phase in the presence of a first hydrogenation catalyst and thereafter hydrogenating said 2-ethyl-hexenal in a liquid phase to form 2-ethyl-hexanol in the presence of a second hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to new quaternary ammonium salts of di and trisulfonated triarylphosphines as well as a process for their preparation. The salts are of Formula I ##STR1## wherein Ar.sub.1, Ar.sub.2, and Ar.sub.3 are each independently an aryl; X.sup.1, X.sup.2, and X.sup.3 are each independently a sulfo group; y.sup.1, y.sup.2, and y.sup.3 are each independently 0 or 1, provided that their sum is at least 1; A is an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aralkyl, or aryl having 6-25 carbon atoms; B, C, and D are straight chain or branched alkyl having 1-4 carbons; and n is a whole number of 1-3.

Abstract: A process for the purification of salts of at least one member of the group consisting of diphenylphosphine-phenyl-m-sulfonic acid, phenylphosphine-di-(m-phenylsulfonic acid) and triphenylphosphine-tri-(m-sulfonic acid) from aqueous solutions thereof comprising adding at least a molar equivalent amount of at least one member of the group consisting of di-(n-pentyl)-amine, di-(n-hexyl)-amine and water-soluble salts of said amines to an aqueous solution containing at least one member of the group consisting diphenylphosphine-phenyl-m-sulfonic acid, phenylphosphine-di-(m-phenylsulfonic acid), triphenylphosphine-tri(m-sulfonic acid) and salts thereof to adjust the pH value to .ltoreq.7, recovering the precipitate, washing the precipitate and dissolving the same in an aqueous basic solution.

Abstract: A method for the production of aldehydes from olefins with CO/H.sub.2 in the presence of a water-soluble rhodium-containing catalyst system is described. The reaction proceeds at 0.1 to 10 MPa and 20 to 160.degree. C. Ultrasound acts on the reaction mixture, consisting of an aqueous catalyst, an olefin, synthesis gas and the end products.

Abstract: A process for the hydroformylation of aldehydes comprising reacting aliphatic olefins with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a liquid phase in the presence of water, a rhodium catalyst and a water soluble salt of a sulfonated or carboxylated triarylphosphine, the reaction taking place in the presence of an aqueous phase having a pH of about 5.5 to about 6.2.

Abstract: A novel process for the preparation of aldehydes by reacting olefins with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst system comprised of rhodium in metallic form or as a compound and a water-soluble quaternary ammonium salt of a mono, di or trisulfonated arylphosphine.

Abstract: A selectively absorbent layer for solar collectors, comprising a mixture of chromium oxides resulting from thermal decomposition of chromium hexacarbonyl or substituted chromium carbonyl. The absorbent layer is deposited from a process gas containing the carbonyl gaseous phase, oxygen, and inert carrier gas. An intermediate reflective layer is provided between the absorbent layer and the substrate.

Abstract: A process for the hydroformylation of olefins having 2 to 5 carbon atoms using rhodium catalysts in a low pressure process, wherein the waste gas from the low pressure plant containing the olefin is compressed and used in a high pressure plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying N,N-dimethylaminopropylamine containing 1,3-diaminopropane as an impurity. Dimethylaminopropionitrile is formed by adding dimethylamine to acrylonitrile, and is then converted by subsequent hydrogenation and distillation into N,N-dimethylaminopropylamine. The impurity 1,3-diaminopropane is removed by adding a metal salt of a transition element which forms a stable complex with the 1,3-diaminopropane.

Abstract: The continuous preparation of aldehydes from olefins and synthesis gas by the use of a water-soluble catalyst system containing rhodium. The reaction takes place at 100 to 30,000 kPa and 90.degree. to 150.degree. C. The proportion of gaseous components in the liquids is 5 to 30% by volume, based on the total gaseous and liquid components, the volume ratio of aqueous to organic parts being 1:1 to 100:1. After completion of the reaction, the liquid components and the gaseous components are separated into a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, then the liquid phase is divided into aqueous and organic parts, separation taking place without previous cooling. The heat contained in the reaction product is either removed by water or steam, or is carried over to the hydroformylation products.