Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of an equilibrium mixture of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran and 4-hydroxybutanal by a two-step process comprising (1) heating 2,5-dihydrofuran in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a phosphine, ruthenium or rhodium to convert the 2,5-dihydrofuran to 2,3-dihydrofuran; and (2) contacting 2,3-dihydrofuran with water in the presence of an acidic catalyst to convert the 2,3-dihydrofuran to a mixture of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran and 4-hydroxybutanal. Also disclosed is a process for the continuous production of an aqueous solution of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran and 4-hydroxybutanal. The mixture of 2-hydroxytetra-hydrofuran and 4-hydroxybutanal may be catalytically hydrogenated to produce 1,4-butanediol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the recovery of catalyst values from mixtures of catalyst compounds and oligomeric materials. The process provides for the separation of (i) an onium iodide compound, (ii) an organotin iodide compound, or (iii) a mixture thereof from a mixture thereof in an oligomer of a .gamma.,.delta.-epoxy-alkene by the steps of (1) intimately contacting the mixture with an extraction solvent selected from hydrocarbons having about 5 to 12 carbon atoms; (2) allowing the mixture of step (1) to separate into 2 phases; and (3) recovering the extraction solvent phase containing iodide compounds (i) and (ii). The oligomer mixture of compounds (i) and/or (ii) is formed during the manufacture of 2,5-dihydrofurans by the isomerization of .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for the preparation of epoxyalkanes and epoxycycloalkanes which comprises hydrogenating .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes or .gamma.,.delta.-epoxycycloalkenes in the presence of a rhodium catalyst. The process is especially useful for the preparation of 1,2-epoxybutane from 3,4-epoxy-1-butene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 3,4-dichloro- and 3,4-dibromo-1,2-epoxybutane by the reaction of 3,4-epoxy-1-butane with chlorine or bromine in the presence of a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium halide compound. The reaction preferably is carried out by the addition of 3,4-epoxy-1-butane and chlorine or bromine to an organic, halogenation solvent containing chlorine or bromine and the quaternary compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for the preparation of epoxyalkanes and epoxycycloalkanes which comprises hydrogenating .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes or .gamma.,.delta.-epoxycycloalkenes in the presence of a rhodium catalyst. The process is especially useful for the preparation of 1,2-epoxybutane from 3,4-epoxy-1-butene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of high-purity tetrahydrofuran from a mixture of 2,5-dihydrofuran and 3,4-epoxy-1-butene and/or crotonaldehyde wherein the mixture is hydrogenated in the presence of a nickel or platinum catalyst to obtain a product consisting essentially of tetrahydrofuran and 1-butanol which are readily separable.

Abstract: A process for the production of aromatic carboxylic acids which comprises carbonylating substituted iodoaromatic compounds in the presence of carbon monoxide, a catalytic amount of a transition metal catalyst, and a Bronsted base in a mixture of a carboxylic acid and water under aromatic carboxylic acid forming conditions of temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of aryl 1-hydroxyaryl-2-carboxylates by the reaction of certain phenolic compounds with an aryl chloroformate in the presence of aluminum chloride and an organic solvent.