Abstract: A method for the oxidation of C1-9-alkanes including providing a mixture of a C1-9-alkane in a liquid phase, a boron containing reagent, a free radical initiator, and a drying means, and performing an oxidation reaction at a temperature from 130° C. to 180° C. in the presence of oxygen. The drying means may be a drying agent such as a molecular sieve, or a membrane. Also a composition for oxidation of C1-9-alkanes to sec-C1-9-alcohols.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing high molecular weight aliphatic primary alcohol using hydroboration reactions.

Abstract: For preparing at least one boric oxide in an anhydrous or hydrated form and of general formula B.sub.2 O.sub.3, xH.sub.2 O, in which x is a number from 0 to 3, a methyl borate hydrolyzate comprising boric oxide and methanol is introduced into a distillation column is introduced the product from, at least one compound (preferably a hydrocarbon such as, e.g., 2,3-dimethyl butane or 2-methyl pentane) forming a heteroazeotrope with methanol, said heteroazaeotrope having a boiling point below that of the azeotrope formed by methyl borate with methanol and at least one compound having a boiling point higher than that of methyl borate, said compound not forming an azeotrope with a boiling point below that of said heteroazeotrope and then at the head of the column said heteroazeotrope is recovered and at the bottom of the column a suspension containing at least one boric oxide.

Abstract: Olefins are oxidized to carbonyl compounds, for example, 2-hexene to a mixture of 2-hexanone and 3-hexanone, with a palladium/copper/boric acid catalyst and a suitable surfactant or phase transfer agent. The reaction takes place in a diluent system comprising at least two liquid phases, wherein at least one liquid phase is an aqueous phase, and in the presence of free oxygen. The catalyst system can be used to oxidize internal olefins, as well as terminal olefins, at reasonable rates. The catalyst system can also be used for the selective oxidation of linear olefins in a mixed stream containing linear and branched olefins.