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: Synthetic hydrocarbons, especially high octane gasoline, are prepared by catalytic conversion in two steps of a synthetic gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides. In the first step the synthesis gas is converted at 10-80 bar and 200.degree.-300.degree. C. into an intermediate containing methanol and/or dimethyl ether. Useful catalysts for methanol synthesis are oxides of chromium, aluminium and/or copper, and zinc; and for dimethyl ether synthesis certain zeolites. In the second step the entire intermediate from the first step is converted at the same pressure as in the first step and an inlet temperature of 300.degree.-340.degree. C. while supplying heat to obtain an outlet temperature of 410.degree.-440.degree. C.; the difference between inlet and outlet temperature being at least 30.degree. C. higher than the temperature increase caused by the conversion reaction.