Abstract: A process for completing the esterification of aliphatic carboxylic acids of 1 to 8 carbon atoms with aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alcohols of 3 to 10 carbon atoms at the boiling point of the alcohol in a column operated with bottom heating, the lower space of the column being free from fitments, the middle space being provided with a packing and the upper space being provided with a packing or other fitments, in which process the water of esterification is driven off at the top of the column by azeotropic distillation, the starting mixture is fed into the side of the column from 5 to 10 m above the liquid level, the ester formed is taken off as liquid from the column bottom, and the column is operated with flooding such that the liquid level is from 6 to 10 m, with the liquid mixture filling the lower column space, which is free from fitments, and the lower part of the packed layer above the said space.

Abstract: The title compounds, having the formula (RO.sub.2 CNHCH.sub.2).sub.3 PY where Y=oxygen or sulfur, are prepared by reacting a tris(N-carbalkoxylaminomethyl)phosphine, having the formula (RO.sub.2 CNHCH.sub.2).sub.3 P, with an oxidizing or sulfurizing agent. The products, after methylolation with formaldehyde, are useful as finishing agents for imparting flame retardant properties to cotton fabrics.

Abstract: A process for the production of a carboxylic acid by the reaction of a liquid lower alkanol with carbon monoxide at a temperature of from about 150.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a carbon monoxide pressure of from about 2,000 psig to about 10,000 psig in the presence of a soluble liquid phase catalyst prepared from the following ingredients: (1) MX.sub.n wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Co and Ni, X is selected from the group consisting of carboxylate anions of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, halides, oxides, acetyl acetonate, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen: and n is from 1 to 5; (2) R.sub.3 P wherein R is alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl of from 4 to 10 carbon atoms; and (3) hydrogen iodide or an iodide source such as iodine, alkyl iodides and alkali metal or alkaline earth iodides.