Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2-bromoalkyl esters and vicinal glycol esters which comprises thermally decomposing at temperatures of from 100.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. an organic bromoalkyl tellurium compound selected from 2-bromoalkyltellurium tribromide or bis(2-bromoalkyl)tellurium dibromide, wherein the alkyl group is ethyl, propyl or butyl, in a carboxylic acid having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which is employed as solvent as well as to supply the ester moiety to the esters produced. The esters may be converted to the respective glycol with water or an aqueous base.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a cyclic alkylene carbonate ester which comprises reacting in a liquid phase a cyclic or linear olefin having from 2 to 15 carbon atoms with carbon dioxide at a temperature of from 30.degree. to 160.degree. C., at a total pressure of from 100 to about 2,000 psig and a pH value of between about 4 and 8, in the presence of oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas and a catalytic amount of a mixture of (a) iodine or an iodide of a metal selected from Groups IA, IB, IIA, IIB, VB, VIIB and VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements, (b) a carbonate of a metal selected from Groups IB, IIA, IIB and VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements, (c) a catalytic iron compound and (d) a catalytic soluble cupric salt, and recovering resulting cyclic alkylene carbonate ester.

Abstract: Phenyl acetic acid is prepared by the reaction of molecular oxygen and the combination of acetic acid and benzene in the presence of a catalytic system featuring both tellurium and halide, the unit atomic ratio of halide to tellurium being within a range from about 3 to about 20, at a temperature within a range from about 100.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. at a pressure within a range from about 1 to about 15 atmospheres.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkylene carbonates having from 3 to 31 carbon atoms per molecule of the general formula ##STR1## which comprises reacting in the liquid phase the corresponding alkylene iodohydrin having from 2 to 30 carbon atoms per molecule with carbon dioxide in the presence of oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas and an effective amount of a catalytic mixture of(1) an iodide of the metals selected from groups IA, IB, IIA, IIB and VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements and(2) a carbonate of the metals selected from the groups IB, IIA, and IIB of the Periodic Table of Elements,at a temperature of from 30.degree. C. to 120.degree. C., and at a total carbon dioxide and oxygen pressure between about atmospheric and 1400 psig, at a pH value of between 3 and 10.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a cyclic alkylene carbonate ester which comprises reacting in a liquid phase a cyclic or linear olefin having from 2 to 15 carbon atoms with carbon dioxide at a temperature of from 50 to 160.degree. C., at a total pressure of from 200 to about 2,000 psig and a pH value of between about 4 and 8, in the presence of oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas and a catalytic amount of a mixture of (a) iodine or an iodide of a metal selected from Groups IA, IB, IIA, IIB, VB, VIIB and VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements and (b) a catalytic iron compound, copper compound of mixture thereof deposited on an inert supporting material, and recovering resulting cyclic alkylene carbonate ester.

Abstract: Process for the liquid phase oxidation of an unsaturated lower aliphatic aldehyde to the corresponding carboxylic acid wherein the oxidation is carried out by passage of an oxygen-containing gas through a liquid medium containing the unsaturated aldehyde and a fluorine-containing organic compound.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid by the ruthenium and/or osmium catalyzed conversion of peroxide (peroxy) intermediate compounds, derived from the autoxidation of acrolein or methacrolein, to the corresponding .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid, particularly the conversion of permethacrylic acid and methacrolein monopermethacrylate to methacrylic acid.

Abstract: A process for the liquid phase oxidation of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes, such as methacrolein and the in situ decomposition or conversion of unsaturated peroxy (peroxide) compounds formed during the oxidation to the corresponding .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids which comprises passing oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas such as air through an inert solvent solution of the unsaturated aldehyde at a suitable temperature and pressure in the presence of an organic or inorganic zinc salt catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid which comprises catalytically decomposing or converting in the presence of tellurium the peroxide (peroxy) compounds contained in the oxidate solution derived from the autoxidation of acrolein or methacrolein, particularly, the conversion of permethacrylic acid and methacrolein monopermethacrylate to methacrylic acid.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid which comprises catalytically decomposing or converting in the presence of selenium the peroxide (peroxy) compounds formed during autoxidation or contained in the oxidate solution derived from the autoxidation of the respective acrolein or methacrolein, particularly, the conversion of permethacrylic acid and methacrolein monopermethacrylate to methacrylic acid.

Abstract: A process for the liquid phase oxidation of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aldehydes, and the in situ decomposition of unsaturated intermediate peroxy (peroxide) compounds formed during oxidation, to the corresponding unsaturated aliphatic acid which comprises passing oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas through an inert solvent solution of the aldehyde at a suitable temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalytic amount of a thallium salt. The solvents employed may be mixed with water forming a heterogeneous solvent system.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids by the liquid phase oxidation of the corresponding .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aliphatic aldehyde, such as acrolein and methacrolein, and the in situ decomposition or conversion of unsaturated peroxy (peroxide) compounds formed during oxidation, which comprises passing air or oxygen through an inert organic solvent solution of the aldehyde at a suitable temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalytic amount of an organic or inorganic bismuth salt. Heterogeneous solvent systems employing mixtures of the organic solvent and water may be used.

Abstract: A method for the production of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids by the liquid phase oxidation of the corresponding .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes, particularly acrolein and methacrolein, and the in situ decomposition of unsaturated intermediate peroxy (peroxide) compounds formed during oxidation, which comprises passing oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas through an inert solvent solution of the aldehyde at a suitable temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalytic amount of an inorganic or organic antimony salt. The solvent employed may also be mixed with water forming a heterogeneous solvent system.