Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for the preparation of alpha-tocopherol by the hydroxymethylation followed by the hydrogenation of non-.alpha.-tocopherols comprising .beta.-, .gamma.-, and .delta.-tocopherols using a particular palladium on alumina catalyst wherein (1) the dispersion and depth of deposition of the palladium metal are within certain ranges, and (2) the alumina is of a particular crystalline phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the manufacture of dialkyl cyclohexanedicarboxylates by the low pressure, catalytic hydrogenation of the corresponding dialkyl benzenedicarboxylate wherein the formation/accumulation of carbon monoxide is suppressed to maintain the activity of the precious metal catalyst.

Abstract: Provided is a facile three step process for preparing 2-phenylterephthalic acid starting with p-xylene, followed by alkylation, dehydrogenation, and oxidation of the methyl groups corresponding to the origional p-xylene. The product, 2-phenylterephthalic acid, is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of polyesters comprised of residues of 2-phenylterephthalic acid.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing 2,5-diphenylterephthalic acid, which is useful in preparing certain polyesters, especially liquid-crystalline polyesters. In this process, p-xylene is di-alkylated with cyclohexene to provide 2,5-dicyclo-hexyl-p-xylene, which is in turn dehydrogenated to provide 2,5-diphenylxylene. 2,5-Diphenylxylene is then oxidized to provide 2,5-diphenylterephthalic acid by utilization of a cobaltous/manganous/bromide oxidation system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a dimethyl cyclohexanedicarboxylate by the hydrogenation of the analogous dimethyl benzenedicarboxylate ester in the presence of a class of palladium on alumina catalysts which have a unique combination of characteristics. The use of the catalysts permits the process to be carried out at significantly lower process pressures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a dimethyl cyclohexanedicarboxylate by the hydrogenation of the corresponding dimethyl benzenedicarboxylate ester in the presence of a class of a supported catalysts comprising palladium and a second Group VIII metal selected from nickel, platinum, ruthenium or a mixture thereof deposited on an alumina support which have a unique combination of characteristics. The use of the catalysts permits the process to be carried out at significantly lower process pressures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for the manufacture of 2,2,4,4 tetramethylcyclobutane 1,3 diol commencing with the pyrolysis of isobutyric anhydride to produce dimethylketene. Dimethylketene is absorbed into 2,2,4,4 tetramethylcyclobutane 1,3 dione which function as the process solvents for subsequent dimerization of the dimethylketene to 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3 -dione followed by the catalytic hydrogenation of the dione to the diol product.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for the preparation of phenylhydroquinone wherein hydroquinone is first alkylated with cyclohexene to produce cyclohexylhydroquinone which is then dehydrogenated to obtain phenylhydroquinone. The improvement comprises carrying out both the alkylation and dehydrogenation reactions in the presence of a solvent comprising diphenyl ether, biphenyl or a mixture thereof. The solvent possesses selective solubility for hydroquinone and cyclohexylhydroquinone which permits the separation of unreacted hydroquinone from the alkylation reaction product. The boiling point of the solvent also permits the dehydrogenation reaction to be performed at substantially atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel catalysts useful for the hydrogenation of carbonyl-containing compounds at mild conditions of temperature and pressure to produce alcohols or amines is disclosed. The catalysts comprise palladium and zinc on a catalyst support material and are obtained by the steps of:(a) providing a catalyst support material on which is deposited zero-valent palladium in a uniformly and highly dispersed form;(b) contacting the palladium-bearing support material of (a) with zinc or a reducible compound thereof; and, preferably,(c) heating the palladium- and zinc-bearing support of (b) at a temperature of about 200.degree. to 400.degree. C. in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for the manufacture of 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutanediol commencing with the pyrolysis of isobutyric anhydride to produce dimethylketene. Dimethylketene is absorbed into certain carboxylate ester solvents which function as the process solvents for subsequent dimerization of the dimethylketene to 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutanedione followed by the catalytic hydrogenation of the dione to the diol product.

Abstract: Method for the conversion of carbon dioxide to a carbon monoxide-rich synthesis gas mixture is disclosed. The invention method comprises contacting carbon dioxide with at least one hydrocarbon in the presence of a catalyst consisting essentially of a metal selected from platinum of palladium supported on an alumina or silica-alumina support which is stable under the reaction conditions. The invention reaction is typically carried out at a temperature in the range of about 650.degree. C. up to 1000.degree. C. at a gas hourly space velocity in the range of about 100 up to 50,000 volumes per hour.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of high-purity tetrahydrofuran from a mixture of 2,5-dihydrofuran and 3,4-epoxy-1-butene and/or crotonaldehyde wherein the mixture is hydrogenated in the presence of a nickel or platinum catalyst to obtain a product consisting essentially of tetrahydrofuran and 1-butanol which are readily separable.

Abstract: Process is disclosed for the preparation of phenylhydroquinones by the alkylation of hydroquinone (or derivatives thereof) with the cyclohexyl moieties, cyclohexanol or cyclohexene (or derivatives thereof), followed by dehydrogenation of the intermediate cyclohexylhydroquinone.

Abstract: Process for the hydrogenation of carbonyl-containing compounds at mild conditions of temperature and pressure to produce alcohols or amines is disclosed, employing palladium on zinc oxide catalysts. A method for the preparation of the palladium on zinc oxide catalysts useful for the desired reductive conversion is also disclosed.

Abstract: Process for the hydrogenation of carbonyl-containing compouds at mild conditions of temperature and pressure to produce alcohols or amines is disclosed, employing catalysts comprising palladium and zinc on an inorganic support. A method for the preparation of these supported catalysts which are useful for the desired reductive conversion is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for selective dehydrogenation of a compound, comprising contacting a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein each R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20) alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.20) cycloalkyl, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.20) aryl, (C.sub.7 -C.sub.20) alkylaryl, (C.sub.7 -C.sub.20) aralkyl groups, as well as substituted (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20) alkyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.20) cycloalkyl, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.20) aryl, (C.sub.7 -C.sub.20) aralkyl and (C.sub.7 -C.sub.20) arylalkyl moieties, optionally further substituted with --OR, wherein R is R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 or R.sup.4 ; and wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be joined as part of a ring structure, at a dehydrogenation temperature in the presence of a catalyst comprising about 0.01 wt %-19.9 wt % Pd and about 0.01 wt %-19.9 wt % Cu on a carbon support, wherein the total amount of (Pd+Cu) on the support is about 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement in processes for the selective production of .alpha.-olefins from synthesis gas. The improvement embodied in the process of the present invention comprises the use of a catalyst system which comprises palladium, iron, and zinc. The zinc component of the catalyst system is preferably provided in the form of a zinc oxide support onto which the remaining catalyst components are deposited. The reaction is conducted under conventional conditions of temperature and pressure, preferably at about 220.degree. to 350.degree. C. and about 50 to 500 psig.