Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of acidic aqueous solutions consisting essentially of, phosphomolybdovanadate salts. Certain processes of the present invention dissolve in water an oxide, oxoacid, or mixtures thereof, and at least one oxoanion salt of phosphorus, molybdenum, and vanadium, wherein the sum of salt cationic charges does not exceed the sum of the phosphomolybdovanadate anionic charges in the solution. Other processes of the present invention dissolve in water a) an oxide, oxoacid, oxoanion salt, or mixtures thereof of phosphorus, molybdenum, and vanadium and b) a carbonate salt, bicarbonate salt, hydroxide salt or mixtures thereof, wherein the sum of salt cationic charges does not exceed the sum of the phosphomolybdovanadate anionic charges in the solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous catalyst solutions useful for oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products, comprising a palladium catalyst and a polyoxoacid or polyoxoanion oxidant comprising vanadium. It also provides processes for oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products, comprising contacting olefin with the aqueous catalyst solutions of the present invention. It also provides processes for oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products by dioxygen, comprising contacting olefin with the aqueous catalyst solutions of the present invention, and further comprising contacting dioxygen with the aqueous catalyst solutions. In certain aqueous catalyst solutions and related processes of the present invention, the solution has a hydrogen ion concentration greater than 0.10 mole per liter when essentially all of the oxidant is in its oxidized state. In other aqueous catalyst solution and related processes of the present invention, the solution is essentially free of sulfuric acid and sulfate ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous catalyst solutions useful for oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products, comprising a palladium catalyst, a polyoxoacid or polyoxoanion oxidant comprising vanadium, and chloride ions. It also provides processes for oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products, comprising contacting olefin with the aqueous catalyst solutions of the present invention. It also provides processes for oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products by dioxygen, comprising contacting olefin with the aqueous catalyst solutions of the present invention, and further comprising contacting dioxygen with the aqueous catalyst solutions. The present invention also provides a process for the oxidation of palladium(0) to palladium(II) comprising contacting the palladium(0) with an aqueous solution comprising chloride ions and a polyoxoacid or polyoxoanion oxidant comprising vanadium.

Abstract: Depolymerization or molecular weight reduction of polymers and gelled polymers containing internal unsaturation along the polymer backbone is performed in the presence of a molybdenum or tungsten compounds having the structural formula:M(NR.sub.1)(OR.sub.2).sub.2 (CHR.sub.3)wherein M is molybdenum or tungsten;R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are unsubstituted or halo-substituted alkyl, aryl, aralkyl groups or silicon-containing analogs thereof;R.sub.3 is an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl group of any substituent that results from the initial reaction between the M.dbd.CHR.sub.3 complex and an olefin treating agent.

Abstract: A process for preparing urethanes by reacting a solution of a nitrogen-containing organic compound and a hydroxyl-containing organic compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising rhodium, as a metal or compound, and essentially free of redox-active metal halide components is disclosed. In the process of this invention, the rate of conversion and selectivity to urethane is increased by providing a primary amine in the reaction solution.

Abstract: The invention providess a process for carbonylating a nitrogen-containing organic compound, selected from the group consisting of nitro, nitroso, azo, and azoxy compounds, by reacting said nitrogen-containing organic compound, with carbon monoxide, wherein the improvement comprises the step of:(a) reacting said nitrogen-containing compound with carbon monoxide, in the presence of a primary amine and a catalyst, essentially free of redox active metal components selected from the group consisting of rhodium and ruthenium.

Abstract: A process for preparing urethanes by reacting a solution of a nitrogen-containing organic compound and a hydroxyl-containing organic compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising rhodium, as a metal or compound, is disclosed. In the process of this invention, the rate of conversion and selectivity to urethane is increased by providing a rhodium catalyst comprising a polyamino ligand having at least two tertiary amino groups capable of coordinating with rhodium.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing urethanes by reacting a solution of a nitrogen-containing organic compound and a hydroxyl-containing organic compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst. The selectivity of this process is increased by the use of methanol instead of various other alkanols, e.g. ethanol. Preferably the catalyst is a halide-free ruthenium catalyst, e.g. a ruthenium carbonyl complex.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing urethanes by reacting a solution of a nitrogen-containing organic compound and a hydroxyl-containing organic compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst comprising a bis phosphine ligand.

Abstract: A process for preparing urethanes by reacting a solution of a nitrogen-containing organic compound and a hydroxyl-containing organic compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a halide-free ruthenium catalyst is disclosed. In the process of this invention, the rate of conversion and selectivity to urethane is increased by providing a primary amine in the reaction solution.