Abstract: Ketones, which are intermediates in the synthesis of vitamin A or perfumes, and have the general formula: ##EQU1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or C.sub.1.sub.-10 hydrocarbon, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen or C.sub.1.sub.-4 alkyl, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are hydrogen or together form a --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 -- group, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 are hydrogen or C.sub.1.sub.-10 hydrocarbon, or together with the carbon atom to which they are joined form a hydrocarbon ring of up to 10 carbons, or ##EQU2## forms a hydrocarbon ring of up to 10 carbons joined through R.sub.6 and R.sub.8 or R.sub.7 and R.sub.8, R.sub.8 is hydrogen or C.sub.1.sub.-10 hydrocarbon and n is 0-6, are prepared by reacting an unsaturated halide of formula ##EQU3## wherein X is halogen, with an enol ester of formula ##EQU4## wherein R.sub.9 is C.sub.1.sub.-20 hydrocarbon, in the presence of a metal catalyst.

Abstract: The addition of a free metal of group VIII of the Periodic Table or of one of its oxides or hydroxides to acrylonitrile heated under a hydrogen pressure of 1 to 50 bars in the presence of a ruthenium derivative as catalyst improves the rate of conversion of the acrylonitrile into 1,4-dicyanobutenes and/or adiponitrile.

Abstract: Ethylenic carbonyl compounds are obtained by heating an .alpha.-ethylenic tertiary alcohol with oxygen and 0.0001 to 5% by weight, based on the alcohol, of a catalyst comprising a compound of a transition metal of Groups V, VI or VII of the Periodic Table.