Abstract: The disclosure relates to the efficient preparation of aromatic hydrocarbons useful as intermediates for di-, tri-, tetra- and poly-dentate organophosphorus ligands having value in particular as hydroformylation catalysts. The use of triarylphosphine halide catalysts have been found to be more efficient in forming these intermediates by the use of excess triarylphosphine in an amount beyond what is required to form a coordination complex.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the efficient preparation of aromatic hydrocarbons useful as intermediates for di-, tri-, tetra- and poly-dentate organophosphorus ligands having value in particular as hydroformylation catalysts. The use of triarylphosphine halide catalysts have been found to be more efficient in forming these intermediates by the use of excess triarylphosphine in an amount beyond what is required to form a coordination complex.

Abstract: A new stable, catalytically active, tetradentate organophosphorus modified rhodium hydroformylation catalyst has been discovered that is capable of producing aldehyde products with a high linear/branched product ratio from linear olefins. The tetradentate organophosphorus modifier is a tetrasubstituted 2,2?,2?,5?-tetramethyl-1,1?:4?-1?-terphenyl, whereby, each methyl group has one hydrogen substituted by an R, R?-diorganophosphine moiety. The R, R? may comprise aromatic, alkyl, arylalkyl and alkylaryl groups. The precursor 2,2?,2?,5?-tetramethyl-1,1?:4?,1?-terphenyl hydrocarbon may be prepared from para-xylene and toluene derivatives.

Abstract: A liquid phase hydrogenolysis of acetal compounds, such as cyclic acetals and cyclic ketals, is disclosed. The acetal compounds are fed to a reaction zone and reacted in the presence of a noble metal catalyst supported on a carbon or silica support to make hydroxy mono-ether compounds in high selectivity, without the necessity of using acidic co-catalysts such as phosphorus containing acids or stabilizers such as hydroquinone.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions of alumina supports containing palladium and nickel are selective in a vapor phase hydrogenolyzis reaction to convert cyclic acetal compounds and/or cyclic ketal compounds in the presence of hydrogen to their corresponding hydroxy ether hydrocarbon reaction products.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions of palladium supported on alumina or zirconium oxide supports having low or no silicon dioxide contents and having a specific surface area or modified with alkali, alkaline earth, or phosphine oxide compounds are selective in a vapor phase hydrogenolysis reaction to convert cyclic acetal compounds and/or cyclic ketal compounds in the presence of hydrogen to their corresponding hydroxy ether hydrocarbon reaction products.

Abstract: A vapor phase hydrogenolysis reaction to convert cyclic acetal compounds and/or cyclic ketal compounds in the presence of hydrogen to their corresponding hydroxy ether hydrocarbon reaction products using a supported noble metal catalyst. The hydrogenolysis reaction can be carried out in the vapor phase and in the absence of a polyhydroxyl hydrocarbon co-solvent.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions of alumina supports containing palladium and nickel are selective in a vapor phase hydrogenolysis reaction to convert cyclic acetal compounds and/or cyclic ketal compounds in the presence of hydrogen to their corresponding hydroxy ether hydrocarbon reaction products.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions of alumina supports containing palladium and nickel are selective in a vapor phase hydrogenolysis reaction to convert cyclic acetal compounds and/or cyclic ketal compounds in the presence of hydrogen to their corresponding hydroxy ether hydrocarbon reaction products.

Abstract: A simplified process for preparing polyolefins from saturated hydrocarbons is provided. The process involves partial and selective dehydrogenation of a saturated hydrocarbon in the presence of oxygen to form an olefin, unreacted hydrocarbon, and water, and optionally other by-products and oxygen. The water, other by-products (if present), and oxygen (if present) are separated from the olefin and unreacted hydrocarbon. No other separation is performed. The olefin and unreacted hydrocarbon are polymerized in the presence a polymerization catalyst or initiator to make polyolefin. Solid polyolefin is separated from unreacted hydrocarbon, which is recycled to the dehydrogenation reaction.

Abstract: A liquid phase hydrogenolysis of acetal compounds such as cyclic acetals and cyclic ketals are fed to a reaction zone and reacted in the presence of a noble metal catalyst supported on a carbon or silica support to make hydroxy ether mono-hydrocarbons in high selectivity, without the necessity to use acidic co-catalysts such as phosphorus containing acids or stabilizers such as hydroquinone.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions of palladium supported on alumina or zirconium oxide supports having low or no silicon dioxide contents and having a specific surface area or modified with alkali, alkaline earth, or phosphine oxide compounds are selective in a vapor phase hydrogenolysis reaction to convert cyclic acetal compounds and/or cyclic ketal compounds in the presence of hydrogen to their corresponding hydroxy ether hydrocarbon reaction products.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions of alumina supports containing palladium and nickel are selective in a vapor phase hydrogenolysis reaction to convert cyclic acetal compounds and/or cyclic ketal compounds in the presence of hydrogen to their corresponding hydroxy ether hydrocarbon reaction products.

Abstract: A vapor phase hydrogenolysis reaction to convert cyclic acetal compounds and/or cyclic ketal compounds in the presence of hydrogen to their corresponding hydroxy ether hydrocarbon reaction products using a supported noble metal catalyst. The hydrogenolysis reaction can be carried out in the vapor phase and in the absence of a polyhydroxyl hydrocarbon co-solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the preparation of glycolaldehyde in which formaldehyde is contacted with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a rhodium catalyst and a solvent containing at least one N,N-dihexylbutyramide. The glycolaldehyde product is recovered by extraction with water. The process provides high selectivity to glycolaldehyde and efficient separation of hydroformylation products from the solvent and rhodium catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the preparation of glycolaldehyde in which formaldehyde is contacted with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a rhodium catalyst and a solvent containing at least one N,N-dihexylbutyramide. The glycolaldehyde product is recovered by extraction with water. The process provides high selectivity to glycolaldehyde and efficient separation of hydroformylation products from the solvent and rhodium catalyst.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing a fluorophosphite ligand in a hydroformylation reaction mixture having an &agr;-olefin, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a catalyst composition having a combination of a rhodium containing compound and one or more fluorophosphite compounds having the general formula: wherein R1 and R2 are hydrocarbyl radicals which contain a total of up to about 40 carbon atoms, the process includes the step of adding to the reaction mixture an epoxide in a sufficient amount to reduce the degradation of the fluorophosphite ligand.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing a fluorophosphite ligand in a hydroformylation reaction mixture having an &agr;-olefin, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a catalyst composition having a combination of a rhodium containing compound and one or more fluorophosphite compounds having the general formula: 1

Abstract: A catalyst and process for preparation of dihydroxy esters from specified hydroxy aldehydes is disclosed. In one embodiment, a catalyst liquid is provided which comprises from 10 percent to 60 percent magnesium salt of a specified alkanoic acid or acids, and from 90 percent to 40 percent of a particular alkanoic acid or acids, the molar ratio of alkanoic acid to magnesium salt being from about 1.5 to 20.3. The catalyst solution or liquid contacts or is contacted with a specified hydroxy aldehyde under suitable reaction conditions to form the desired dihydroxy ester. In another embodiment, dihydroxy esters are derived from specified hydroxy aldehydes by first forming a magnesium catalyst containing liquid by reacting magnesium or magnesium oxide, under suitable conditions, with a suitable alkanoic acid or acids, the acid or acids being provided in excess in specified molar ratios.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for preparation of dihydroxy esters from specified hydroxy aldehydes is disclosed. In one embodiment, a catalyst liquid is provided which comprises from 10 percent to 60 percent magnesium salt of a specified alkanoic acid or acids, and from 90 percent to 40 percent of a particular alkanoic acid or acids, the molar ratio of alkanoic acid to magnesium salt being from about 1.5 to 20.3. The catalyst solution or liquid contacts or is contacted with a specified hydroxy aldehyde under suitable reaction conditions to form the desired dihydroxy ester. In another embodiment, dihydroxy esters are derived from specified hydroxy aldehydes by first forming a magnesium catalyst containing liquid by reacting magnesium or magnesium oxide, under suitable conditions, with a suitable alkanoic acid or acids, the acid or acids being provided in excess in specified molar ratios.