Abstract: A process for preparing a malonic acid monoester or &bgr;-ketoester from an epoxide includes the steps of reacting an epoxide with carbon monoxide and an alcohol in the presence of a catalytic amount of a cobalt compound and at least one promoter to produce a &bgr;-hydroxyester, separating the &bgr;-hydroxyester from the cobalt compound and the promoter, and oxidizing the &bgr;-hydroxyester to produce a malonic acid monoester or &bgr;-ketoester.

Abstract: A process for preparing an 1,3-alkanediol through carbonylation of an epoxide derivative includes the steps of (a) reacting an epoxide derivative with alcohol and carbon monoxide in a solvent at a temperature from about 30 to about 150° C.

Abstract: A process for preparing an 1,3-alkanediol through carbonylation of an epoxide derivative includes the steps of (a) reacting an epoxide derivative with alcohol and carbon monoxide in a solvent at a temperature from about 30 to about 150° C.

Abstract: A process for preparing a malonic acid monoester or &bgr;-ketoester from an epoxide includes the steps of reacting an epoxide with carbon monoxide and an alcohol in the presence of a catalytic amount of a cobalt compound and at least one promoter to produce a &bgr;-hydroxyester, separating the &bgr;-hydroxyester from the cobalt compound and the promoter, and oxidizing the &bgr;-hydroxyester to produce a malonic acid monoester or &bgr;-ketoester.

Abstract: A process for preparing an 1,3-alkanediol through carbonylation of an epoxide derivative includes the steps of (a) reacting an epoxide derivative with alcohol and carbon monoxide in a solvent at a temperature from about 30 to about 150° C. and at a pressure from about 50 to about 3000 psig in the presence of a catalyst system including an effective amount of a cobalt catalyst and an effective amount of a promoter to afford a reaction mixture including a 3-hydroxyester or derivative thereof in an amount of from 2 to about 95% by weight, (b) separating the reaction product and solvent from the catalyst and promoter, (c) reacting said reaction product and solvent with hydrogen at a temperature from about 30 to about 350° C. and at a pressure from about 50 to about 5000 psig in the presence of a catalyst system for hydrogenation to prepare a hydrogenation product mixture including a 1,3-alkanediol, and (d) recovering the 1,3-alkanediol from the hydrogenation product mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for carbonylation of epoxide derivatives, in which the reactivity, selectivity and the yield are superior. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for hydroformylation of an epoxide derivative in which there is utilized a transition metal catalyst having a cyclopentadienyl radical, thereby improving the reactivity and selectivity. Further, the present invention relates to a process for hydroesterification of an epoxide derivative, in which a proper catalyst is selected, and the reaction temperature and pressure are adjusted within proper ranges under the presence of a cobalt catalyst, thereby improving the product selectivity and the yield.