Abstract: This invention relates to preparing formamide compounds in a process which comprises reacting an amine with a formylalkanolamine in the presence of carbon monoxide in which the mole ratio of amine to formylalkanolamine ranges from 0.2:1 to 5:1. The reaction is conducted at a temperature ranging from about 50.degree. to 300.degree. C. and a pressure ranging from about 100 to 10,000 psig. The amine employed in the reaction has the formula: ##STR1## wherein R' is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl, or --R"--O--R'", wherein R" is a divalent alkylene group of 2 to 4 carbon atoms and R'" is an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and R is hydrogen or an alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The formylalkanolamine employed in the reaction has the formula: ##STR2## wherein R is an alkylene group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, z is 0 or 1 and y is 1 or 2 and the sum of y and z is 2.

Abstract: A process for producing acetic anhydride is disclosed which comprises reacting methyl acetate with carbon monoxide at an elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of an iodine-free catalyst system wherein the catalyst consists of ruthenium compound, quaternary phosphonium salt and cobalt-compound. A further embodiment comprises recycling product acetic anhydride with methanol to produce acetic acid.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for preparing ethylene glycol and lower monohydric alcohols comprising contacting a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with a catalyst comprising a ruthenium-containing compound and a copper- or silver-containing compound, both dispersed in a low-melting quaternary phosphonium salt and heating the resulting mixture at an elevated temperature and moderate pressure for sufficient time to produce the desired ethylene glycol.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process of preparing predominantly linear aldehydes which comprises the steps of contacting a mixture of terminal olefins and synthesis gas with a catalyst system comprising an insoluble polymeric phosphonium salt, and a ruthenium-containing compound, optionally with a cobalt carbonyl and heating said resultant reaction mixture under a pressure of 200 psi or greater at a temperature of at least 100.degree. C. for a sufficient time to produce said aldehydes. Some of the product aldehydes will be reduced to alcohols.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a formylalkanolamine which comprises reacting carbon monoxide with an alkanolamine at a temperature ranging from about 60.degree. to 300.degree. C. and at a pressure ranging from about 100 to 10,000 psig, said alkanolamine being represented by the formula:RNH.sub.x --CH.sub.2 --(X).sub.z --CH.sub.2 --OH).sub.yin which x is 0 or 1, R is hydrogen, a methyl or an aminoethyl radical with the proviso that R is hydrogen when x is 0, y is 1 or 2 and the sum of x and y is 2, X is a divalent radical from the group consisting of --CH.sub.2 -- and --CHOH--, and z is 0 or 1.

Abstract: An aminomethylation reaction is disclosed wherein polymeric polyamines are produced. Polymeric polyolefins such as polybutadiene, ammonia, primary or secondary amines, and synthesis gas are reacted in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing catalyst, such as triruthenium dodecacarbonyl, and dimethyl formamide as a solvent.The use of a two-phase solvent mixture consisting of N,N-dimethylformamide plus a hydrocarbon is particularly advantageous in that:(1) The aminomethylation selectivity is improved and few side reactions results;(2) The two-phase liquid product mixture obtained, allows easy separation of product polyamine from ruthenium-containing catalyst.

Abstract: Methyl acetate is prepared in good yield by reacting methanol with carbon monoxide in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst composition comprising a ruthenium-containing compound, a cobalt-containing compound and a quaternary onium salt or base, and heating the resulting mixture at an elevated temperature and pressure for sufficient time to produce the desired methyl acetate, and then recovering the same from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Ethanol and/or acetaldehyde are prepared in good yield by contacting methanol, hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst system comprising a cobalt-containing compound and a promoter in the presence of an inert oxygenated solvent at a temperature of from about 50.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. and a pressure of at least 500 psig or greater. The combination of cobalt-containing compound and promoter may be (a) a cobalt-containing compound with an organo-sulphur compound, (b) an iodide-containing cobalt compound with a nitrogen-containing compound as promoter, and (c) a cobalt-containing compound with 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene.

Abstract: This invention concerns an improved process of preparing predominantly linear alcohols which comprises the steps of contacting a mixture of terminal and/or internal olefins and synthesis gas with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound in conjunction with one or more tertiary amine promoters, dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium salt and heating said resultant reaction mixture under a pressure of 100 psi or greater at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. for a sufficient time to produce said alcohols.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process of preparing alcohols and aldehydes which comprises the steps of contacting a mixture of terminal and/or internal olefins and synthesis gas with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium or ammonium base or salt and heating said resultant reaction mixture under a pressure of 100 psi or greater at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. for a sufficient time to produce said alcohols and aldehydes.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process of preparing predominantly linear alcohols which comprises the steps of contacting a mixture of terminal and/or internal olefins and synthesis gas with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound coupled with one or more bidentate or multidentate, phosphine-containing promoters, dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium salt, and heating said resultant reaction mixture under a pressure of 100 psi or greater at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. for a sufficient time to produce said alcohols.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process of making alkanols which comprises reacting a mixture of CO and H.sub.2 at a pressure of about 500 psig or greater and at a temperature of at least 150.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound, a nickel or iron containing compound and a quaternary phosphonium salt, in the presence of an inert, oxygenated solvent.

Abstract: Acetaldehyde is prepared from methanol and synthesis gas with good selectivity and yield by contacting a mixture of methanol, carbon monoxide and hydrogen with an iodide or iodine free catalyst composition comprising (1) ruthenium powder, (2) a cobalt-containing compound, (3) an amine, and (4) an onium salt or base, and heating the resulting mixture to an elevated temperature and pressure for sufficient time to produce the desired acetaldehyde, and recovering the same from the reaction mixture.