Abstract: An improved process for the production of linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon of at least 3 carbon atoms employs a novel catalyst composition formed from a palladium compound, the anion of a strong non-hydrohalogenic acid, an aliphatic bidentate ligand of phosphorus and a polyalkoxyalkane.

Abstract: Linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon, useful as premium thermoplastics, are produced by contacting the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon reactants under polymerization conditions in the presence of a catalyst complex of hydrocarbylpalladium halide and a bidentate ligand of phosphorus. The catalyst complex is produced by contacting a complex of palladium dihalide and the bidentate phosphorus ligand with a tetrahydrocarbyltin.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of linear alternating polymer of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon comprises contacting the reactants in the presence of a catalyst composition formed from a palladium salt, a bidentate phosphorus ligand, and a tertiary monophosphine or a secondary phosphine oxide present in specified quantity.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon of at least 3 carbon atoms employs a novel catalyst composition formed from a palladium compound, the anion of a strong non-hydrohalogenic acid, an aliphatic bidentate ligand of phosphorus and a polyalkoxyalkane.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of linear alternating polymer of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon comprises the use as a catalyst composition of a novel complex containing a diphosphine/hydrocarbylpalladium cation and an anion of a non-hydrohalogenic acid having a pKa below 2. The polymers are useful as engineering thermoplastics.

Abstract: Linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon, useful as premium thermoplastics, are produced by contacting the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon reactants under polymerization conditions in the presence of a catalyst complex of hydrocarbylpalladium halide and a bidentate ligand of phosphorus. The catalyst complex is produced by contacting a complex of palladium dihalide and the bidentate phosphorus ligand with a tetrahydrocarbyltin.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of linear alternating polymer of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon comprises contacting the reactants in the presence of a catalyst composition formed from a palladium salt, a bidentate phosphorus ligand, and a tertiary monophosphine or a secondary phosphine oxide present in specified quantity.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a primary or secondary alcohol, which comprises hydrogenating respectively an aldehyde or ketone in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a platinum compound, an acid having a pKa in the range from about 2 to about 10.5 and a phosphorus compound of the formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 POH, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group, at a temperature in the range from about 20.degree. to about 150.degree. C. and at a pressure in the range from about 1 to about 100 bar.

Abstract: A process for the hydroformylation of less reactive olefins with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a Group VIII-metal hydroformylation catalyst which has been modified by a ligand of formula L(OR.sup.1) (OR.sup.2)(OR.sup.3), wherein L represents P or As and R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are similar or dissimilar aryl groups provided that at least one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 is a group ##STR1## wherein Q represents a group ##STR2## or a group ##STR3## wherein R.sup.4 is an optionally fluorine-substituted hydrocarbyl group, R.sup.5 is H or R.sup.4, R.sup.6 is H or an inert substituent on the metal and/or the para position of the ring, X is O or S and n is 0 or 1 and R.sup.7 represents a hydrogen atom or an inert substituent. Less reactive olefins such as limonene can be hydroformylated with very good results.

Abstract: Process for the hydroformylation of olefins with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a ligand stabilized, platinum-containing catalytic system comprising at least one secondary phosphine oxide moiety.

Abstract: A process for the hydroformylation of an olefin which comprises reacting an olefin with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the process of a complex of rhodium with a compound of the formula:L(OR.sup.1)(OR.sup.2)(OR.sup.3)wherein L is P or As and R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are (dis)similar alkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl groups, provided that at least one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 or R.sup.3 represents a group --CH.sub.n [CFXY].sub.3-n, wherein n is 1 or 2 and either(a) X and Y both represent F, or(b) one of X and Y represents F and the other represents H or Cl or an (un)substituted (ar)alkyl group, or(c) X represents H or Cl or an (un)substituted (ar)alkyl group and Y represents an (ar)alkyl group whose connecting carbon atom carries at least one F.

Abstract: 1,5-Dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene and 1,4-dimethyl-4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene are prepared by contacting isoprene with a catalyst obtained by mixing a nickel compound, a reducing agent capable of reducing the nickel to zerovalent nickel, and a trihydrocarbyl phosphite, arsenite or antimonite wherein at least one of the three hydrocarbyl groups is a substituted hydrocarbyl group CF.sub.3 --(CF.sub.2).sub.n C(H)(R)--, in which n.ltoreq.O and R is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group. Only very small amounts of the undesired 1,6-dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene are formed.

Abstract: 1,5-Dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene and 1,4-dimethyl-4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene are prepared by contacting isoprene with a catalyst obtained by mixing a nickel compound, a reducing agent capable of reducing the nickel to zerovalent nickel, and a trihydrocarbyl phosphite, arsenite or antimonite wherein at least one of the three hydrocarbyl groups is a substituted hydrocarbyl group CF.sub.3 --(CF.sub.2).sub.n C(H)(R)--, in which n.gtoreq.0 and R is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group. Only very small amounts of the undesired 1,6-dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene are formed.