Abstract: An improved process is provided for forming ketones from the corresponding olefins in the vapor phase in the presence of water vapor employing a heterogeneous catalyst comprising rhenium compounds and complexes, optionally containing at least one metal compound or complex selected from the group consisting of Group VIB metals and Group VIII noble metals, and mixtures thereof. It has been surprisingly found that these catalysts effect the formation of ketones in high selectivities with minimal selectivities to the undesirable carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide by-products.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for forming ketones from the corresponding olefins by vapor phase oxidation of the olefin in the presence of water vapor, and optionally in the additional presence of molecular oxygen employing a heterogeneous catalyst comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ce, Nd and La and compounds and complexes thereof, optionally containing at least one metal compound or complex selected from the group consisting of Group VIB metals and Group VIII noble metals, and mixtures thereof. It has been surprisingly found that these catalysts effect the formation of ketones in high selectivities with minimal selectivities to the undesirable carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide by-products.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for forming ketones from the corresponding olefins in the vapor phase in the presence of water vapor employing a heterogeneous catalyst comprising rhenium compounds and complexes, optionally containing at least one metal compound or complex selected from the group consisting of Group VIB metals and Group VIII noble metals, and mixtures thereof. It has been surprisingly found that these catalysts effect the formation of ketones in high selectivities with minimal selectivities to the undesirable carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide by-products.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for forming ketones from the corresponding olefins by vapor phase oxidation of the olefin in the presence of molecular oxygen and water vapor employing a heterogeneous catalyst comprising rhenium compounds and complexes, optionally containing at least one metal compound or complex selected from the group consisting of Group VIB metals and Group VIII noble metals, and mixtures thereof. It has been surprisingly found that these catalysts effect the formation of ketones in high selectivities with minimal selectivities to the undesirable carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide by-products.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for forming ketones from the corresponding olefins in the vapor phase in the presence of water vapor employing a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a molybdenum disulfide catalyst formed by the thermal decomposition of a thiomolybdate compound. It has been surprisingly found that these catalysts effect the formation of ketones in high selectivities with minimal selectivities to the undesirable carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide by-products.

Abstract: A method for promoting the hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone in the presence of a non-promoted palladium catalyst which comprises effecting the hydrogenation reaction in the presence of an in situ promoter selected from the group consisting of alkalie metal and alkaline earth metal chlorides, fluorides, bicarbonates, carbonates, hydroxides and nitrates, ammonia, ammonium hydroxide, secondary amines and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Processes for the recovery of phenol values as cyclohexanol from the purification residue obtained in the amine purification of phenol. The recovery of phenol values may be effected by hydrogenation in the presence of a nickel catalyst and distilling the hydrogenation product to obtain cyclohexanol. Alternatively, the purification residue may be distilled and the distillate hydrogenated to produce a hydrogenation product from which cyclohexanol may be recovered by a second distillation.

Abstract: In the process for obtaining phenol and acetone from cumene hydroperoxide which has been obtained by liquid-phase oxidation of cumene with molecular oxygen, dehydration of by-product dimethyl phenyl carbinol to form alpha-methylstyrene and formation of higher boiling by-products, such as alpha-methylstyrene dimers and cumyl phenol, are substantially reduced by an improvement which comprises, in combination: decomposing the cumene hydroperoxide at temperatures in the range of from 65.degree. to 105.degree. C. using as decomposition catalyst sulfur dioxide or sulfuric acid in amount of between 0.002 and 0.02 percent by weight of the cumene hydroperoxide feed, conducting the decomposition in the absence of added water in a decomposition mixture containing not more than about 0.5 percent by weight of water, and withdrawing decomposition product at cumene hydroperoxide concentrations not exceeding about 0.

Abstract: A method of preparing hexamethyleneimine which comprises the steps of:A. forming a solution of .epsilon.-caprolactam in a solvent selected from the group consisting of linear and cyclic ethers and polyethers having a boiling point of at least about 100.degree. C, said solution having a concentration of about 1 to 40 percent by weight;B. contacting said solution with gaseous hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising copper chromite and at a temperature of about 150 to 300.degree. C. and a pressure of at least about 1,000 psig, whereby a solution containing hexamethyleneimine is formed; andC. recovering hexamethyleneimine from said hexamethyleneimine-containing solution.

Abstract: Palladium catalysts employed in the hydrogenation of reducible cyclic organic compounds containing deleterious nitrogen impurities are reactivated according to a process comprising separating spent catalyst from the hydrogenation reaction mixture; contacting the separated spent catalyst in a liquid reaction medium with a reactivating agent selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal bicarbonates, carbonates, nitrates, chlorides, fluorides, hydroxides and mixtures thereof, to reactivate the catalyst; and recovering the reactivated catalyst for recycle to the hydrogenation reaction mixture.