Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a polymer by reacting, in the absence of water, an organic compound having the general formula R-H wherein R represents an organo radical having at least one unsaturated carbon-carbon bond and H is covalently bonded to one of said carbons, with PX.sub.3, wherein X is a halide radical, and zirconium ions to yield a reaction product and oxidizing and hydrolyzing such reaction product to yield a polymer represented by the general formula Zr(O.sub.3 PR).sub.n wherein n varies from about 1 to about 2.5. R may comprise sulfonic acid groups or may comprise sulfonatable site for sulfonation during the oxidation step. In either case, the resulting product is useful as an acid catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of resorcinol is described which relies upon the intermediacy of a .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ketone which can be reacted with a hydroxy moiety-containing compound to obtain a resorcinol precursor which is subsequently converted to resorcinol. In a specific embodiment, 2-cyclohexenone is reacted dehydrogenated to resorcinol. In antoher embodiment, 2-cyclohexenone is oxidized to cyclohexane-1,3-dione which is dehydragenated obtain resorcinol.

Abstract: The additional of redox-active metal components and ligands, alternatively or simultaneously, results in increased conversion and selectivity in the palladium-catalyzed oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products in the presence of polyoxoanions. In preferred modes, heteropolyoxoanions and Isopolyoxoanions containing tungsten, molybdenum and vanadium, individually or in combination, are described. The use of copper as the redox-active metal component shows reduced allylic reactivity. The elimination of chloride from the catalyst system provides substantial engineering advantages over the prior art, particularly, the reduction of corrosion and chloro-organic by-product formation. The use of redox-active metal components and/or ligands makes the palladium-polyoxoanion catalyst system industrially practicable.

Abstract: A substantially chloride-free palladium oxidation system, comprising a palladium component, a copper component, and a ligand is described. The Wacker system, consisting of palladium and copper chlorides is also improved by the addition of a ligand. The palladium and copper counterion are independently selected from BF.sub.4.sup.--, CF.sub.3 COO.sup.--, CH.sub.3 COO.sup.--, SO.sub.4.sup..dbd., and NO.sub.3.sup.--. The ligand is preferably a nitrile-containing compound.

Abstract: A substantially chloride-free palladium oxidation system, comprising a palladium component, a copper component, and a ligand is described. The Wacker system, consisting of palladium and copper chlorides is also improved by the addition of a ligand. The palladium and copper counterion are independently selected from BF.sub.4.sup.-, CF.sub.3 COO.sup.-, SO.sub.4.sup.=, and NO.sub.3.sup.-. The ligand is preferably a nitrile-containing compound.

Abstract: The addition of redox-active metal components and ligands, alternatively or simultaneously, results in increased conversion and selectivity in the palladium-catalyzed oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products in the presence of polyoxoanions. In preferred modes, heteropolyoxoanions and isopolyoxoanions containing tungsten, molybdenum and vanadium, individually or in combination, are described. The use of copper as the redox-active metal component shows reduced allylic reactivity. The elimination of chloride from the catalyst system provides substantial engineering advantages over the prior art, particularly, the reduction of corrosion and chloro-organic by-product formation. The use of redox-active metal components and/or ligands makes the palladium-polyoxoanion catalyst system industrially practicable.

Abstract: The addition of redox-active metal components and ligands, alternatively or simultaneously, results in increased conversion and selectivity in the palladium-catalyzed oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products in the presence of polyoxoanions. In preferred modes, heteropolyoxoanions and isopolyoxoanions containing tungsten, molybdenum and vanadium, individually or in combination, are described. The use of copper as the redox-active metal component shows reduced allylic reactivity. The elimination of chloride from the catalyst system provides substantial engineering advantages over the prior art, particularly, the reduction of corrosion and chloro-organic by-product formation. The use of redox-active metal components and/or ligands makes the palladium-polyoxoanion catalyst system industrially practicable.

Abstract: A process for preparing urethanes by reacting a solution of a nitrogen-containing organic compound and a hydroxyl-containing organic compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising rhodium, as a metal or compound, and essentially free of redox-active metal halide components is disclosed. In the process of this invention, the rate of conversion and selectivity to urethane is increased by providing a primary amine in the reaction solution.

Abstract: The invention providess a process for carbonylating a nitrogen-containing organic compound, selected from the group consisting of nitro, nitroso, azo, and azoxy compounds, by reacting said nitrogen-containing organic compound, with carbon monoxide, wherein the improvement comprises the step of:(a) reacting said nitrogen-containing compound with carbon monoxide, in the presence of a primary amine and a catalyst, essentially free of redox active metal components selected from the group consisting of rhodium and ruthenium.

Abstract: A process for preparing urethanes by reacting a solution of a nitrogen-containing organic compound and a hydroxyl-containing organic compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising rhodium, as a metal or compound, is disclosed. In the process of this invention, the rate of conversion and selectivity to urethane is increased by providing a rhodium catalyst comprising a polyamino ligand having at least two tertiary amino groups capable of coordinating with rhodium.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing urethanes by reacting a solution of a nitrogen-containing organic compound and a hydroxyl-containing organic compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst. The selectivity of this process is increased by the use of methanol instead of various other alkanols, e.g. ethanol. Preferably the catalyst is a halide-free ruthenium catalyst, e.g. a ruthenium carbonyl complex.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing urethanes by reacting a solution of a nitrogen-containing organic compound and a hydroxyl-containing organic compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst comprising a bis phosphine ligand.

Abstract: A process for preparing urethanes by reacting a solution of a nitrogen-containing organic compound and a hydroxyl-containing organic compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a halide-free ruthenium catalyst is disclosed. In the process of this invention, the rate of conversion and selectivity to urethane is increased by providing a primary amine in the reaction solution.