Abstract: A process for manufacturing an unsaturated mononitrile selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile comprising reacting an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene and isobutylene, ammonia and oxygen in a reactor zone in the presence of a catalyst to produce a reactor effluent containing the corresponding unsaturated mononitrile, transferring the reactor effluent containing the unsaturated mononitrile to a quench column wherein the reactor effluent containing the unsaturated mononitrile is contacted with at least a first aqueous stream to cool the reactor effluent, transferring the cooled reactor effluent containing the unsaturated mononitrile to an absorption column wherein the reactor effluent containing unsaturated mononitrile is contacted with at least a second aqueous stream to separate and remove the unsaturated mononitrile as a bottom stream from the absorption column, transferring the bottom stream containing the unsaturated mononitrile to a recovery and puri

Abstract: Maleic anhydride is hydrogenated to produce 1,4-butanediol in a two-stage process. In the first stage maleic anhydride and/or maleic acid contacted with hydrogen at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. in the presence of a suitable hydrogenation catalyst to produce succinic anhydride and/or gamma-butyrolactone. In the second stage, the succinic anhydride and/or gamma-butyrolactone and hydrogen are contacted at a temperature of about 180.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. in the presence of a ruthenium-containing hydrogenation catalyst to produce 1,4-butanediol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a 2-pyrrolidone and a succinimide by the vapor phase catalytic reaction of a maleimide with molecular hydrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed is the hydrogenation of maleic acid in the presence of a solid iron-containing ruthenium catalyst containing the elements and the ratios indicated by the empirical formula,RuFe.sub.a M.sub.b O.sub.xwhereM is one or more of Pd and Rh,a is 0.1-5,b is zero-3, andx is a number sufficient to satisfy the valency requirements of the cations present in the catalyst,said process being effected by contacting in a reaction zone an excess of hydrogen with an aqueous solution of maleic acid in admixture with said catalyst.

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: A catalyst and process useful for the production of alcohols from CO and H.sub.2. The catalyst has the formula:RuCu.sub.a M.sub.b A.sub.c N.sub.z O.sub.xwhereinA is an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal or mixture thereof,M is Mo, W or mixtures thereof,a is about 0.3 to about 10,b is 0.03 to about 5,c is about 0.3 to about 15,z is 0 to about 1 weight percent, andx is the number of oxygen atoms needed to fulfill the valence requirements of the other elements.

Abstract: A process is provided for the upgrading of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons, particularly olefins and carboxylic acids by contacting synthesis gas with catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, copper, an alkali or alkaline earth metal, and optionally a metal selected from Ce, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Th, Zn or mixtures thereof. The synthesis gas upgrading product may be contacted with a hydrogenation catalyst to provide alkanes, alcohols and esters, useful for fuels.

Abstract: A catalyst is disclosed which comprises a ruthenium-copper-containing complex 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 about 0.002 to about 10,c is from about 0.2 to about 20,z is from 0 to about 1% by weight,x is the number of oxygens needed to fulfill the valence requirements of the other elements, said complex being supported by an activated carbon support having a surface area of at least about 300 square meters per gram.A process for converting mixtures of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, particularly synthesis gas, to alcohol with minimal levels of hydrocarbon by-products being formed is also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst is disclosed which comprises a ruthenium-copper-containing complex 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 about 0.002 to about 10,c is from about 0.2 to about 20,z is from 0 to about 1% by weight,x is the number of oxygens needed to fulfill the valence requirements of the other elements, said complex being supported by an activated carbon support having a surface area of at least about 300 square meters per gram. A process for converting mixtures of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, particularly synthesis gas, to alcohol with minimal levels of hydrocarbon by-products being formed is also disclosed.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, palladium or platinum and alkali metals are provided which are useful in the subject process for the upgrading of synthesis gas, particularly for obtaining alkanes and alcohols having at least two carbon atoms, in addition to methane and methanol. Also provided is a temperature gradient reactor useful in synthesis gas upgrading reactions for increasing selectivity to higher carbon number products.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of aliphatic acetate esters and gaseous alkanes comprising contacting acetic acid and synthesis gas in the vapor phase at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst containing the mixed oxides of ruthenium and nickel, and optionally an alkali metal oxide and the oxides of cobalt, cadmium, zinc or mixtures thereof. Other carboxylic acids may be substituted for acetic acid as desired.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, palladium or platinum and alkali metals are provided which are useful in the subject process for the upgrading of synthesis gas, particularly for obtaining alkanes and alcohols having at least two carbon atoms, in addition to methane and methanol. Also provided is a temperature gradient reactor useful in synthesis gas upgrading reactions for increasing selectivity to higher carbon number products.

Abstract: A process is provided for the upgrading of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons, particularly olefins and carboxylic acids by contacting synthesis gas with catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, copper, an alkali or alkaline earth metal, and optionally a metal selected from Ce, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Th, Zn or mixtures thereof. The synthesis gas upgrading product may be contacted with a hydrogenation catalyst to provide alkanes, alcohols and esters, useful for fuels.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, copper, at least one alkali metal and at least one of rhodium, iridium, palladium, and platinum are provided which are useful in the upgrading of synthesis gas, particularly for obtaining alkanes and alcohols.

Abstract: A process for the upgrading of synthesis gas is provided wherein olefin and oxygenated hydrocarbons, particularly alcohol and carboxylic acid, products predominate. The process includes contacting synthesis gas at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst comprising partially reduced ruthenium oxide and elemental gold. The products may be recovered and contacted with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to yield alkanes, alcohols and esters useful for fuels.

Abstract: A process is provided for the vapor phase hydrogenation of carboxylic acids to yield their corresponding alcohols in the presence of steam and a catalyst comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, at least one of cobalt, nickel, and optionally one of cadmium, zinc, copper, iron, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum. A process is further provided for the preparation of carboxylic acid esters from carboxylic acids in the absence of steam utilizing the above-identified catalysts.

Abstract: A process is provided for the vapor phase hydrogenation of carboxylic acids to yield their corresponding alcohols in the presence of steam and a catalyst comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, at least one of cobalt, nickel, and optionally one of cadmium, zinc, copper, iron, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum. A process is further provided for the preparation of carboxylic acid esters from carboxylic acids in the absence of steam utilizing the above-identified catalysts.

Abstract: A process for the upgrading of synthesis gas is provided wherein olefin and oxygenated hydrocarbons, particularly alcohol and carboxylic acid, products predominate. The process includes contacting synthesis gas at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst comprising partially reduced ruthenium oxide and elemental gold. The products may be recovered and contacted with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to yield alkanes, alcohols and esters useful for fuels.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, copper, at least one alkali metal and at least one of rhodium, iridium, palladium, and platinum are provided which are useful in the upgrading of synthesis gas, particularly for obtaining alkanes and alcohols.

Abstract: Cyanoesters are prepared by contacting an olefinic carboxylate ester, e.g. methyl acrylate, with gaseous hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalyst containing an element selected from the group consisting of Group IA metals and Group IIA metals.