Abstract: A process for producing an ester is disclosed comprising contacting a gaseous reactant containing at least one organic hydroxy compound and a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with an ester synthesis catalyst of the formulaM.sub.a A.sub.b RuCu.sub.c N.sub.z O.sub.xwhereinM is selected from the group consisting of Ce, Cr, Fe, Mn and mixtures thereof,A is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or mixture thereof,a is from 0 to about 1,b is from 0.002 to about 10,c is from 0.2 to about 20,z is from 0 to about 196 by weight,x is the number of oxygens needed to fulfill the valence requirements of the other elements.The organic hydroxy compound can be provided separately or formed by contacting a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with an alcohol synthesis catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure. The alcohol synthesis catalyst and ester synthesis catalyst can be in tandem or mixed.

Abstract: Described is a novel process for preparing dihydromyrcenol defined according to the structure: ##STR1## or the acetate thereof comprising the steps of: (i) hydrogenating .alpha.-pinene to form .alpha.-pinane;(ii) pyrolizing the resulting .alpha.-pinane to form a mixture of hydrocarbons including dihydromyrcene (or, in the alternative, forming substantially the same mixture of hydrocarbons by other well known means);(iii) reacting the resulting pinane pyrolyzate or like mixture with hydrogen chloride gas in the presence of an acid catalyst, e.g., Lewis acid or protonic acid, to form a mixture of tertiary chlorides; then(iv) reacting the mixture of tertiary chlorides with water or acetic acid int he presence of a hydroxylation catalyst defined according to the formula:M.sub.P X.sub.Qwherein M represents an element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Ca, Mg, Mn and Co; wherein X represents O or an anion, e.g.

Abstract: What is disclosed is the use of metallic vessels having particularly high corrosion resistance which are made of(a) aluminum or alloys containing more than 95% aluminum, or of(b) nickel-chromium-iron alloys containing from 30 to 50% of nickel, from 20 to 30% of chromium, and from 18 to 50% of iron, by weight, in reacting or working up mixtures containing substantial amounts of hydrogen fluoride in addition to organic carboxylic acids and/or carbon monoxide and/or water.

Abstract: There are disclosed novel unsubstituted or substituted phenoxyfluorobenzyltetramethylcyclopropylmethyl ethers of formula ##STR1## wherein Y is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl which is substituted by 1 to 9 halogen atoms, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy which is substituted by 1 to 9 halogen atoms, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylthio or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylthio which is substituted by 1 to 9 halogen atoms, or is C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkenyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkynyl and their benzyl ether intermediates of formula IV ##STR2## wherein X is halogen or p-tosyl. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of these compounds and compositions containing them for use in pest control, especially for controlling insects that attack plants and animals, in particular their larval stages. The novel compounds are particularly effective against plant-destructive insects in rice crops.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the catalytic conversion of lactic acid and/or ammonium lactate to acrylic acid by contacting a mixture of water and lactic acid and/or ammonium lactate in the vapor phase with aluminum phosphate which has been treated with an aqueous inorganic base.

Abstract: Psoriasis in mammals is relieved by topically administering naphthalenes of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is lower alkoxy or optionally substituted phenoxy,R.sup.2 is the same as R.sup.1, or R.sup.2 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted phenylalkyl,R.sup.3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halo, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower-alkyl or optionally substituted phenyl-lower-alkoxy, and m is 1 or 2;X is the same and is either --C(O)OR.sup.4 or --C(O)NR.sup.5 R.sup.6,whereinR.sup.4 is alkyl, phenyl or benzyl optionally substituted with one or two lower alkyl groups, lower alkoxy groups or halo; andR.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl or phenyl optionally substituted with one or two lower alkyl groups, lower alkoxy groups or halo.

Abstract: Method for making alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydrides by carbonylation of esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid in the presence of a catalyst system containing at least one noble metal from group VIII of the periodic table, for example rhodium, the reaction being carried out at 70.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. and at pressures from 1 to 500 bar in the presence of a halogen or of a halogen compound, and in particular of iodine or an iodine compound, as a promoter.

Abstract: Alkylene glycol ether carboxylates are produced by reacting at elevated temperature an alkylene oxide and a carboxylate ester in the presence as catalyst of a [bis(trihydrocarbylphosphine)iminium].sub.2 MO.sub.4 compound wherein M is either molybdenum or tungsten.

Abstract: A process for separation of methacrylic acid from methacrylic acid-isobutyric acid mixtures involving the selective crystallization and removal of the methacrylic acid from said mixtures is decribed.

Abstract: Described is allyl 4-cyclooctenyl glycolate of our invention having the structure: ##STR1## and the perfumery use thereof in augmenting or enhancing the aroma of perfume compositions, colognes and perfumed articles including solid or liquid anionic, cationic, nonionic or zwitterionic detergents, fabric softener compositions, fabric softener articles, hair preparations and cosmetic powders.

Abstract: A novel peroxydicarbonate containing a non-conjugate type unsaturated bond, represented by the general formula: ##STR1## (wherein R.sub.1 stands for a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and n for an integer of the value of 1 or 2) is particularly useful as a polymerization initiator.

Abstract: 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane-2,5-ylene-(3-propionic acid) and derivatives thereof represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each hydrogen or alkyl. The compounds are useful as materials for preparing polyesters, polyamides and polyurethanes or as intermediates for tetracyanoquinodimethanes for use as organic semiconductors.

Abstract: A process for the selective hydrocarboxylation of propylene to produce predominantly isobutyric acid in the liquid phase is provided. The reaction of propylene, carbon monoxide and water is effected at a temperature of about 10.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C. and at a pressure of about 75 psi to about 1500 psi in the presence of a strong acid and a metal phthalocyanine co-catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst having a heteropoly-acid structure and the general formula:Mo.sub.a V.sub.b P.sub.c Cu.sub.d X.sub.e O.sub.fwherein Mo, V, P, Cu and O represent respectively molybdenum, vanadium, phosphorus, copper and oxygen, X represents one or more elements selected from the group consisting of tin, thorium, germanium, nickel, iron, cobalt, magnesium, zinc, titanium, lead, rhenium, zirconium, and chromium, and a, b, c, d, e and f represent the atomic ratio of the elements where,a is 10b is a number of 3 or less than 3 excluding 0,c is a number of 0.5 to 3,d is a number of 3 or less than 3 excluding 0,e is a number of 3 or less than 3 excluding 0,f is a number determined depending on the valency and atomic ratio of other elements.There is also provided a process for producing methacrylic acid by oxidizing methacrolein with molecular oxygen or molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of the catalyst defined above.

Abstract: Preparation of sorbic acid from precursors by contact with acid catalysts is improved by utilizing crystallization to separate sorbic acid during the preparation.

Abstract: A process for the production of an alkyl .alpha.-keto-carboxylic acid of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is a linear or branched alkyl radical having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms which comprises reacting an alkyl halide of the formula:RXwhere R is as defined above and X represents halogen, in a liquid solvent medium, with carbon monoxide at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalytic amount of a metal carbonyl compound and an alkali metal inorganic base or an alkaline earth metal inorganic base. Optionally, small amounts of LiI and/or bis(1,2-diphenylphosphino)ethane may be present in the reaction as co-catalysts.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method of preparing 3-alkyl-substituted glutaric acids and 2-alkyl-substituted succinic acids from 5-alkyl-substituted-1,3-cyclohexane-diones or 3-alkyl-substituted-5-ketohexanoic acids via transition-metal catalyzed oxidation.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of pivaloylpyruyic acid ester by reaction of pinacolin with an oxalic acid dialkyl ester followed by neutralization of the reaction mixture is disclosed, wherein the reactants are mixed at a temperature of -50.degree. to +50.degree. C. and the reaction completed at a temperature of 35.degree. to 200.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an alpha-, beta-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid compound which comprises the aldol-type condensation of a saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid compound under vapor phase conditions in the presence of a hydrocarbon of 6 to 12 carbon atoms and a solid catalyst.

Abstract: Butadiene and acetic acid are reacted with metal ion oxidant to prepare acetoxyhexenoic acids which are then converted to sorbic acid.