Abstract: Modification of a unique supramolecular assembly of a pyridylphosphine ligand and a metal centered porphyrin complex is shown to give unprecedented selectivities to branched aldehydes via rhodium catalyzed hydroformylation of propylene and 1-octene. Use of magnesium in the porphyrin center provides the highest reported concentrations of iso-butyraldehyde and 2-methyl-octanal.

Abstract: Use of a unique supramolecular assembly of a pyridylphosphine ligand and a metal centered porphyrin complex is shown to give unprecedented selectivities to branched aldehydes via rhodium catalyzed hydroformylation of unsubstituted linear alpha-olefins such as propylene and 1-octene. Increasing the syngas pressure is shown to have a beneficial effect on branched aldehyde selectivity as is increasing the ratio of carbon monoxide to hydrogen used in the hydroformylation reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of higher aldehydes from lower alcohols using a two-stage vapor phase heterogeneous catalyst system. Ethanol feeds afford aldehydes such as butyraldehyde and crotonaldehyde while butanol feeds yield 2-ethylhexanal and 2-ethylhexenal. Higher product selectivities are obtained when the alcohol is first dehydrogenated in the upper catalyst stage followed by aldol condensation of the resulting lower aldehyde to a higher aldehyde.

Abstract: Use of a unique supramolecular assembly of a pyridylphosphine ligand and a metal centered porphyrin complex is shown to give unprecedented selectivities to branched aldehydes via rhodium catalyzed hydroformylation of unsubstituted linear alpha-olefins such as propylene and 1-octene. Increasing the syngas pressure is shown to have a beneficial effect on branched aldehyde selectivity as is increasing the ratio of carbon monoxide to hydrogen used in the hydroformylation reaction.

Abstract: Industrially relevant product selectivities and reaction rates are obtained from rhodium catalyzed hydroformylation of propylene via the use of a novel induction period in which the supramolecular ligand assembly, the rhodium precatalyst and an initial substrate are allowed to form a hydroformylation catalyst that is more selective toward branched aldehydes. Upon heating this incubated mixture and addition of propylene, iso-butyraldehyde is obtained in higher concentrations and rates that are otherwise unattainable.

Abstract: Modification of a unique supramolecular assembly of a pyridylphosphine ligand and a metal centered porphyrin complex is shown to give unprecedented selectivities to branched aldehydes via rhodium catalyzed hydroformylation of propylene and 1-octene. Use of magnesium in the porphyrin center provides the highest reported concentrations of iso-butyraldehyde and 2-methyl-octanal.

Abstract: A process for making ethylene glycol by feeding reactants including 1,2-dioxygenated organic compounds, an organometallic homogeneous catalyst, and hydrogen to a hydrogenation reactor, reacting at least a portion of the reactants with hydrogen in the presence of the organometallic homogeneous catalyst to produce a reaction product mixture containing ethylene glycol, and passivating the catalyst by contacting the catalyst with a carbon monoxide to thereby suppress the formation of by-product diols other thatn the ethylene glycol primary product, and suppress the formation of by-product tetrols and by-product glycolaldehyde acetals; and separating at least a portion of the ethylene glycol from the reaction product mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst composition comprising a mixed oxide of vanadium, titanium, and phosphorus. The titanium component is derived from a water-soluble, redox-active organo-titanium compound. The catalyst composition is highly effective at facilitating the vapor-phase condensation of formaldehyde with acetic acid to generate acrylic acid, particularly using an industrially relevant aqueous liquid feed. Additionally, the catalyst composition is catalytically active towards the formation of acrylic acid from methylene diacetate and methacrylic acid from methylene dipropionate; both reactions are carried out with high space time yields.

Abstract: A ternary V—Ti—P mixed oxide is shown to catalytically dehydrate 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran in high conversion to give piperylene, in good yield. Volatile products collected from this reaction contain piperylene in concentrations as high as 80 percent by weight. Dehydration of glycerol to acrolein in high conversion and moderate selectivity is also demonstrated. The catalyst is also shown to dehydrate other alcohols and ether substrates. The catalyst is resistant to deactivation and maintains activity between runs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst composition comprising a mixed oxide of vanadium, titanium, and phosphorus. The titanium component is derived from a water-soluble, redox-active organo-titanium compound. The catalyst composition is highly effective at facilitating the vapor-phase condensation of formaldehyde with acetic acid to generate acrylic acid, particularly using an industrially relevant aqueous liquid feed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst composition comprising a mixed oxide of vanadium, titanium, and phosphorus modified with alkali metal. The titanium component is derived from a water-soluble, redox-active organo-titanium compound. The catalyst composition is highly effective at facilitating the vapor-phase condensation of formaldehyde with acetic acid to generate acrylic acid, particularly using an industrially relevant aqueous liquid feed.