Abstract: The invention concerns a method for hydrocyanation of ethylenically unsaturated organic compounds comprising at least a nitrile function. The invention provides a method for hydrocyanation of an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon compound by reacting in liquid medium the hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalyst comprising a metal element selected among transition metals and an organophosphorous ligand, characterised in that the organophosphorous ligand is a furylphosphine. The invention is in particular useful for synthesizing adiponitrile from butadiene.

Abstract: Hydraulic binders, such as cements, mortars with enhanced aging properties, are described. More particularly, hydraulic binders based on mineral silicates are described having greater aging strength, a method for making said binders and their uses and articles obtained from same. An organic compound comprising two hydrophilic functions and a hydrophobic chain such as adipic acid are added to the hydraulic binder to slow down the water uptake rate of said binder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for oxidizing hydrocarbons, in particular branched or unbranched saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, cycloaliphatic or alkylaromatic hydrocarbons to acidic or polyacidic compounds. The invention relates more particularly to the oxidation, with an oxidizing agent containing molecular oxygen, of cyclohexane to adipic acid, in the presence of organic acid of lipophilic nature and in the absence of adipic acid. The separation and recycling of the unoxidized cyclohexane, the oxidation intermediates and the catalysts are easier than in the presence of acetic acid.