Abstract: Acetaldehyde is produced by reacting acetic anhydride with hydrogen in the presence of a Group VIII noble metal catalyst wherein the reaction is carried out in the liquid phase but the reaction is maintained under boiling conditions and the entire reaction effluent is in vapor form.

Abstract: Acetic anhydride is reacted with hydrogen to produce ethylidene diacetate by carrying out the reaction in the presence of a catalyst comprising a molybdenum-nickel or a tungsten-nickel co-catalyst component and in the presence of an iodide and a promoter comprising an organo-phosphorus compound or an organo-nitrogen compound wherein the phosphorus and the nitrogen are trivalent.

Abstract: Ethylidene diacetate is prepared by treating methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide and hydrogen by the use of a molybdenum-nickel or tungsten-nickel co-catalyst, in the presence of an iodide and in the presence of a promoter comprising an organo-phosphorus compound or an organo-nitrogen compound wherein the phosphorus and nitrogen are trivalent and in the presence of an iodide.

Abstract: A process is provided for catalytic hydrogenation of glycolaldehyde to form ethylene glycol in liquid phase employing a homogeneous ruthenium catalyst and a basic promoter. Ethylene glycol is produced in excellent yields and selectivities, and the process permits use of mild temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: A process is provided for catalytic hydrogenation of glycolaldehyde to form ethylene glycol in liquid phase employing a homogeneous ruthenium carboxylate complex catalyst system. Ethylene glycol is produced in excellent yields and selectivities and the process permits use of mild temperature and pressure conditions. The formation of acetals is greatly minimized as compared to prior art ruthenium catalysts.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic preparation of aryl carboxylates is provided in which an arylmetallo carboxylate is contacted in liquid medium with an organic peracid in the presence of a catalytic amount of an aryl iodide, to form the desired aryl carboxylate.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of aryl carboxylates is provided in which an arylmetallo carboxylate is contacted with an aryliodoso carboxylate in liquid medium to form the desired aryl carboxylate. Promoters can be employed to increase the rate of reaction and improve selectivity to the aryl carboxylate.

Abstract: Acetaldehyde is prepared by reacting methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a palladium catalyst and an iodine moiety in a reaction zone wherein the reaction mixture is in a continuous boiling state.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing propylene oxide is provided in which propylene is oxidized by means of a thallic salt in the presence of aqueous media containing an alkanoic acid having at least seven carbon atoms and optionally in the presence of an organic solvent.

Abstract: Acetic anhydride is prepared from methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether in carbonylation processes comprising the use of a halide, carbon monoxide and a Group VIII noble metal in the presence of promoters comprising metallic zirconium and an organo-phosphorus compound or an organo-nitrogen compound wherein the phosphorus and nitrogen are trivalent, or an arsine of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 are monocyclic aryl groups or alkyl groups and R.sup.2 is the radical ##STR2## a monocyclic aryl group or an alkyl group, and wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each a monocyclic aryl group or an alkyl group, n being zero or a digit from 1-20.

Abstract: Acetic anhydride is prepared from methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether in carbonylation processes comprising the use of a halide, carbon monoxide and a Group VIII noble metal in the presence of promoters comprising metallic hafnium and an organo-phosphorus compound or an organo-nitrogen compound wherein the phosphorus and nitrogen are trivalent, or an arsine of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 are monocyclic aryl groups or alkyl groups and R.sup.2 is the radical ##STR2## a monocyclic aryl group or an alkyl group, and wherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each a monocyclic aryl group or an alkyl group, n being zero or a digit from 1-20.

Abstract: Residual products obtained in the catalytic dehydration of alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol are treated to recover monomeric styrene values by a process which comprises fractionally distilling the residual products in two stages under different temperature and time conditions.

Abstract: A catalyst composition useful for the oxidation of unsaturated aldehydes, particularly the oxidation of methacrolein to produce methacrylic acid, comprises the combination of oxides of molybdenum, copper, phosphorus, antimony, and cesium and/or calcium and optionally may include one or more of the elements Ni, Zn, Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt, As, K, Rb, Sr, Ba, Cr, V, Nb, W, Mn, Re, and rare earth metals including La.

Abstract: The novel bis (2-bromoethyl) tellurium dibromide and 2-bromoethyl tellurium tribromide are prepared by reacting ethylene with a source of tellurium tetrabromide in an inert, non-basic organic solvent under certain temperature conditions and in the substantial absence of molecular oxygen.

Abstract: A process for the production of urethanes is provided in which an organic primary or secondary amine is contacted, in the substantial absence of reactive oxygen, with a source of carbon monoxide and an organic compound containing at least one hydroxyl group in the presence of a catalyst comprising a member selected from the group consisting of carbonyls of Co, Mo, Ti, Rh, Fe, Ni and mixtures thereof. Urethane yields and selectivities are further improved by conducting the reaction in the additional presence of an organic compound containing at least one C.dbd.N or C.dbd.C group. When such unsaturated organic compounds are employed, the catalyst can additionally comprise iridium carbonyl.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons and esters and/or acids are produced by heating aldehydes in the presence of an alcohol or an alcohol equivalent and in the presence of an iodine or bromine moiety and a rhodium or iridium catalyst.

Abstract: An oxidizable hydrocarbon is oxidized in a reaction zone at elevated temperature in the presence of a liquid reaction medium by introducing the hydrocarbon and a feed stream containing molecular oxygen to the reaction zone under conditions sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the hydrocarbon; withdrawing at least a portion of the liquid reaction medium from the reaction zone; passing at least a portion of the withdrawn liquid reaction medium to an oxygen injection zone located external to the reaction zone; contacting the liquid in said oxygen-injection zone with a gas stream containing molecular oxygen under conditions sufficient to form a two-phase gas/liquid mixture; and passing said two-phase gas/liquid mixture to the reaction zone as the feed of molecular oxygen thereto.

Abstract: A catalyst composition useful for the oxidation of unsaturated aldehydes, particularly the oxidation of methacrolein to produce methacrylic acid, comprises the combination of oxides of molybdenum, copper, phosphorus, antimony, calcium, tungsten and optionally arsenic in predetermined relative atomic ratios.

Abstract: A catalyst composition useful for the oxidation of unsaturated aldehydes, particularly the oxidation of methacrolein to produce methacrylic acid, comprises the combination of oxides of molybdenum, copper, phosphorus, antimony, and calcium in predetermined relative atomic ratios.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of molybdenum acid salts by directly reacting the carboxylic acid with a molybdenum compound while removing the water that is formed. These molybdenum acid salts are useful as catalysts in such processes as in the epoxidation of olefins.