Abstract: A catalyst composition useful for the oxidation of olefins, particularly the vapor phase oxidation of isobutylene and/or tertiary butyl alcohol to produce methacrolein, consists essentially of the combination of oxides of molybdenum, cobalt, iron, bismuth, thallium, antimony, silicon, and nickel, along with one or more members of the groups consisting of the alkali metals, the alkaline earth metals, the rare earth metals including lanthanum, tungsten, and mixtures thereof. The catalyst has a BET surface area within the range of about 0.5-10 m.sup.2 /gm and preferably within the range of about 2-6 m.sup.2 /gm. Preferably, the catalyst has no more than about 3% of the surface area associated with pores smaller than about 100 A.degree.. The catalyst is heated during its preparation to a temperature above 525.degree. C., preferably above 550.degree. C., most preferably to about 600.degree. C.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid, such as propionic acid, is prepared by carbonylation of an olefin, such as ethylene in the presence of water by the use of a molybdenum-nickel or tungsten-nickel cocatalyst in the presence of a promoter comprising an organophosphorus compound or an organo-nitrogen compound wherein the phosphorus and nitrogen are trivalent and in the presence of a halide.

Abstract: Dibenzofuran is prepared by reacting diphenyl ether in an oxygen-containing atmosphere in the presence of a palladium carboxylate catalyst, a carboxlyic acid and a copper carboxylate promoter or co-catalyst.

Abstract: Coating or lining normally-corrodible tubular metal shapes with corrosion-resistant metal coatings or linings is effected by placing the tubular metal shape in concentric telescopic relationship with a tubular shape of the corrosion-resistant metal to provide an assembly consisting of an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member, closing the ends of the inner member, introducing a liquid into the interior of the inner member to fill that member, and then freezing the liquid while confined in the inner member, whereby the outer wall of the inner member is expanded into firm contact with the inner wall of the outer member. The process is typically applied to an assembly of the two shapes in concentric telescopic relationship with one of the shaped defining an inner member and the other of the shapes defining an outer member, a first cap and a second cap enclosing the ends of the inner member in fluid-tight relationship, and means for introducing a liquid through one of the caps.

Abstract: Carbonylation products such as alkanoic anhydrides, e.g., acetic anhydrides, are produced by carbonylation of esters and/or ethers in the presence of a rhodium or iridium catalyst and an iodine moiety in a reaction zone wherein the reaction mixture is in a continuous boiling state.

Abstract: Acetaldehyde is produced by reacting acetic anhydride with hydrogen in the presence of a supported Group VIII noble metal catalyst wherein the reaction is carried out in the liquid phase.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid, such as acetic acid, is prepared from a hydrocarbyl alcohol, such as methanol, in carbonylation processes comprising the use of an iodide, carbon monoxide and a nickel catalyst in the presence of a promoter comprising an organo-phosphorus compound wherein the phosphorus is trivalent.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid ester, such as methyl propionate, is prepared by carbonylation of an olefin, such as ethylene in the presence of an alcohol by the use of a molybdenum-nickel or tungsten-nickel co-catalyst 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 a halide.

Abstract: A supported silver catalyst for oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide is prepared by impregnation of the support, activation, and solvent washing, with each step being carried out at a relatively low temperature. Silver so deposited has an average particle diameter of about 0.5-0.7 microns and is capable of being promoted by post-deposition of alkali metals such as cesium, rubidium, and potassium.

Abstract: Residues are formed in the carbonylation of esters or ethers, particularly in the production of acetic anhydride or ethylidene diacetate. Such residues contain noble metal, typically rhodium, used as a catalyst, which must be recovered before the residues can be disposed of. The rhodium values are freed from the residues by treatment with amines, preferably primary aliphatic amines and/or hydrazine, thereby enabling the rhodium to be extracted by subsequent contact with an aqueous halogen acid.

Abstract: Residues are formed in the carbonylation of esters or ethers, particularly in the production of acetic anhydride or ethylidene diacetate. Such residues contain noble metal, typically rhodium used as a catalyst, which must be recovered before the residues can be disposed of. In the process of the invention, the rhodium values are freed from the residues by a series of treatments with amines and other reagents, thereby enabling the rhodium to be extracted by subsequent contact with an aqueous halogen acid.

Abstract: Residues are formed in the carbonylation of esters or ethers, particularly in the production of acetic anhydride or ethylidene diacetate. When such residues contain noble metal, typically rhodium, used as a catalyst, the noble metals must be recovered before the residues can be disposed of. The metal values are freed from the residues by treatment with amines, thereby enabling the rhodium to be extracted by subsequent contact with an aqueous halogen acid. The residues are pretreated with alkanols and concentrated by evaporation to improve the effect of such amine treatments.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid anhydride, such as propionic anhydride, is prepared from an olefin and a carboxylic acid in carbonylation processes comprising the use of a halide, carbon monoxide and a molybdenum-nickel or tungsten-nickel component in the presence of a promoter comprising an organo-phosphorus compound or an organo-nitrogen compound wherein the phosphorus and nitrogen are trivalent.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid anhydride, such as acetic anhydride, is prepared from a carboxylate ester or a hydrocarbyl ether in carbonylation processes comprising the use of an iodide, carbon monoxide and a molybdenum-nickel or tungsten-nickel component in the presence of a promoter comprising an organo-phosphorus compound or an organo-nitrogen compound wherein the phosphorus and nitrogen are trivalent.

Abstract: A gasoline blending stock is produced by the simultaneous reaction of a hydrocarbon feed containing at least one tertiary olefin, at least one aliphatic alcohol, and water over a suitable catalyst. In a typical embodiment, a mixed C.sub.4 stream containing isobutylene is reacted with aqueous ethanol to form a mixture of ethyl tertiary butyl ether and tertiary butanol, with minimal formation of secondary alcohols from any normal butenes present in the hydrocarbon feed.

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: A process for the preparation of alkylene carbonates, particularly ethylene carbonate, by the reaction of the corresponding olefins with carbon dioxide in the presence of iodine or an iodide compound and an oxide or a weak acid salt of thallium (III). The thallium is reduced to the T1(I) form which may be oxidized back to the T1(III) form for reuse. Gold(III) oxide is also effective.

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.