Abstract: A method of recovering metal values from an ion exchange resin to which a metal species is bound comprising contacting the reaction product stream with a basic ion exchange resin such that at least a part of the metal becomes bound to the resin as metal species and incinerating the resin to produce an ash containing the metal and/or oxides of the metal and separating the metal and/or oxides from the remainder of the ash. The method is useful for recovering rhodium catalyst values from homogeneously catalysed hydroformylation reactions of olefins with carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Ethylene is oligomerized to predominantly .alpha.-olefins, principally butene-1 with some hexene-1, by contacting it with a catalyst comprising the product of reacting a weak field ligand complex of a Group VIII metal with a particulate inorganic oxide possessing sufficient Bronsted acidity to displace one of the ligands from the complex, in the presence of a Group I to III metal hydrocarbyl. Nickel and cobalt are preferred metals, typical weak field ligands being acetylacetonate and carboxylate. Preferred inorganic oxide supports are aluminium and zirconium phosphates. Selectivities of >90% may be obtained.

Abstract: Process for the oligomerisation of ethylene to give a high proportion of C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 oligomers of which a high proportion (>80%) are .alpha.-olefins, using, as catalyst a Group VIII metal hydrocarbyl compound supported on an inorganic oxide which has surface hydroxyl groups with which the compound will react. Nickel is the preferred Group VIII metal.