Abstract: A hydrogenation catalyst composition useful for the hydrogenation of an oxalate diester, said composition being composed of a reduction product of copper-containing silica gel formed by contacting an amine complex of copper with colloidal silica sol; and a process for producing the aforesaid composition. Using a catalyst composed of the aforesaid composition, ethylene glycol and/or a glycolic acid ester can be produced from an oxalate diester efficiently with high conversions and selectivities and without causing pollution attributed to the use of a chromium-containing catalyst composition.

Abstract: In a process for producing a glycollic acid ester by the vapor phase catalytic hydrogenation of an oxalic acid diester in the presence of a catalyst and hydrogen gas, the improvement wherein the oxalic acid diester in the vaporous state is contacted with hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst composed of Ag or Pd supported on a solid carrier at a temperature of from about 120.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C.

Abstract: Benzene is catalytically oxidized in the vapor phase with oxygen in the presence of an alcohol to be converted to phenol. The catalyst used is represented by the formula: M.sub.a Ag.sub.b P.sub.c O.sub.d wherein M is selected from zinc, titanium, zirconium, tin, bismuth and vanadium, Ag is silver, P is phosphorus and O is oxygen, and a=1, b=0.005.about.5 and c=0 to 6. Phenol is obtained at an enhanced yield even though the catalytic oxidation is carried out at a relatively low temperature as compared with conventional catalytic oxidation processes.

Abstract: Acrylonitrile can be catalytically produced with a high yield by bringing, at an elevated temperature, preferably of 300.degree. to 470.degree. C., a reaction feed containing propylene, ammonia and molecular oxygen into contact with a catalyst consisting of an oxide composition of the empirical formula: Mo.sub.a Co.sub.b Fe.sub.c X.sub.d O.sub.e wherein X denotes at least one atom of an element selected from phosphorus, arsenic, antimony and bismuth and wherein the ratio a:b:c:d:e is in a range of 12:4 to 9:1 to 5:0.01 to 0.07:39.5 to 52.7, said catalyst being prepared by providing an aqueous mixture containing molybdenum-, cobalt- and iron-containing compounds and a phosphorus-, arsenic-, antimony- or bismuth-containing compound, converting the aqueous mixture into a dried solid mixture and calcining the solid mixture at a temperature of at least 550.degree. C.

Abstract: High-yield catalytic production of acrylonitrile at an elevated temperature, from a reaction mixture containing propylene, ammonia and molecular oxygen, utilizing a catalyst comprising an oxide composition having the empirical formula Mo.sub.a Co.sub.b Fe.sub.c X.sub.d O.sub.e wherein X denotes at least one atom of an element selected from among calcium, tungsten, chromium, zirconium, titanium, zinc, manganese, and tin and the atomic ratio a:b:c:d:e is in the range of 12:4 to 10:1 to 6:0 to 1.0:40 to 70, said catalyst being prepared by providing an aqueous mixture containing compounds of the elements, drying the aqueous mixture, and calcining the dried solid product at a temperature of at least 500.degree. C.

Abstract: Acrylonitrile can be produced in a high yield by the catalytical ammoxidation of propylene at an elevated temperature, preferably of 330.degree. to 470.degree. C, in the presence of a new type of catalyst consisting of an oxide composition of the empirical formula: Mo.sub.a Co.sub.b Fe.sub.c Bi.sub.d X.sub.e O.sub.f wherein X denotes at least one atom of an element selected from vanadium and tellurium and wherein the ratio a:b:c:d:e:f is in a range of 10:3 to 10:1 to 7:0.1 to 0.7:0.01 to 1:34.6 to 54.1, said catalyst being prepared by providing an aqueous mixture containing molybdenum-, cobalt- and iron-containing compounds, bismuth-containing compound, and vanadium-or tellurium-containing compound, converting the aqueous mixture into a dried solid mixture and calcining the solid mixture at a temperature of at least 500.degree. C.