Abstract: Catalyst system comprising a palladium compound, an acid compound having a pKa>2 measured in water of 18° C. and an non-symmetrical bidentate phosphorous ligand according to: in which the —PR1R2 group is different from the —PR3R4 group and in which X is a divalent organic bridging group, in which the shortest direct link between the two phosphorous atoms in the bridging group X consists of a chain of 2-10 carbon atoms and optionally a sulphur or oxygen atom.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of an alkyl pentenoate respectively an aryl pentenoate by contacting an alkoxy-butene respectively an aryloxy-butene compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising palladium, a phosphorus ligand and an acid promotor, wherein the molar ratio of 3-alkoxy-1-butene to 1-alkoxy-2-butene, respectively the molar ratio of 3-aryloxy-1-butene to 1-aryloxy-2-butene, is higher than 4.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a mixture of alkyl pentenoates by carbonylation of butadiene in the liquid phase in the presence of an alkanol, carbon monoxide, palladium and a bidentate organic phosphorus, antimony or arsenic ligand, the bidentate ligand having as bridging group a bis(.eta.-cyclopentadienyl) coordination group of a transition metal. Preferably the transition metal is iron.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a terminal ester by carbonylation of an internally unsaturated organic compound in the presence of an alcohol, carbon monoxide, palladium, an acid with a pK.sub.a of less than 2 (measured at 18.degree. C. in an aqueous solution) and a bidentate organic phosphorus, antimony or arsenic ligand compound having a bridging group, wherein the bridging group comprises a bis(.eta.-cyclopentadienyl) coordination group of a transition metal.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of butadiene or a butadiene derivative in the presence of (i) carbon monoxide, (ii) an alcohol or water, and (iii) a catalyst system comprising palladium, a carboxylic acid and a monodentate phosphine ligand. The amounts of reactants during the carbonylation process are controlled so that the molar ratio of butadiene or butadiene derivative to palladium in the reaction mixture is less than about 70:1, the molar ratio of carboxylic acid to palladium is greater than about 10:1 and the molar ratio of alcohol or water to butadiene or butadiene derivative is less than about 2:1.2. Good selectivity and conversions are advantageously achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for the epoxidation of alkenes using alkylhydroperoxide, the catalyst comprising an ion of one or more of the metals molybdenum, wolfram, titanium or vanadium on an inorganic carrier, characterised in that the metal ion is bound to the carrier via a polydentate organic ligand.The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of an alkene oxide by an alkene having 3 or more carbon atoms with an alkylhydroperoxide, using the catalyst described above.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of an aldehyde in a process in which cobalt is being recycled by:(a) hydroformylating of an ethylenically unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide and hydrogen at a pressure higher than 5 MPa and a temperature higher than 80.degree. C. in the presence of a cobalt carbonyl compound in an organic phase, following which(b) removing cobalt from the organic phase by contacting the organic phase with a polar mixture, which mixture is substantially immiscible with the organic phase, first the pressure being reduced to a pressure lower than 5 MPa and simultaneously or afterwards cooling being applied down to a temperature below 80.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of a pentenoate ester by carbonylation of butadiene or butadiene derivate in the presence of carbon monoxide, a alcohol and a catalyst system comprising palladium, an carboxylic acid and a phosphine ligand, wherein the carboxylic acid is pentenoic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of cycloalkanone and optionally cycloalkanol by causing a mixture containing cycloalkylhydroperoxide to react with cycloalkene under the influence of a catalyst, characterised in that the reaction is carried out with a short measure of cycloalkene relative to the cycloalkylhydroperoxide, under such conditions that virtually all of the cycloalkene reacts to cycloalkene oxide and optionally cycloalkanol and/or cycloalkanone, after which the mixture, optionally after decomposition of cycloalkylhydroperoxide and distillation of cycloalkane, is subjected to a first separation, in which cycloalkene oxide--and optionally other components--is separated, after which the cycloalkene oxide in the separated mixture is isomerised to substantially cycloalkanone, after which the cycloalkanone obtained--and optionally cycloalkanol--is recovered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound having the Formula (I) ##STR1## in which n=1, 2, 3 or 4 and m=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8. The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of the above-described compound by bringing a cycloalkyl hydroperoxide having 5 to 12 carbon atoms into contact with a cycloalkene having 5-8 carbon atoms, under the influence of a metal compound as catalyst, the metal being chosen from groups VIB, VIIB and VIII of the periodic system. The reaction takes place at a temperature of 0.degree.-80.degree. C.