Abstract: A method is described for use in a process for the conversion of an alcohol, the method including the step of contacting a composition comprising a first alcohol with a catalyst composition. Catalyst composition described comprises: i) a source of a Group VIII transition metal; ii) a phosphine ligand of formula PR1R2R3, wherein R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different; and iii) a base. In examples described, the alcohol which is converted comprises ethanol and the product comprises butanol.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions are disclosed exhibiting activity for dehydrating an alcohol, the composition comprising a source of a Group VIII transition metal, an organic salt, an acid and/or a compound consisting of a conjugate base of an acid bonded to a radical of the alcohol to be dehydrated and, optionally, a ligand. Also disclosed are methods of converting an alcohol into a product using the catalyst composition. The product of the methods may be predominately alkene or ether depending on the method. In some embodiments of the method a second catalyst for converting a product into a further product may be present.

Abstract: A process for the trimerization of olefins is disclosed, comprising contacting a monomeric olefin or mixture of olefins under trimerization conditions with a catalyst which comprises (a) a source of chromium, molybdenum or tungsten (b) a ligand containing at least one phosphorus, arsenic or antimony atom bound to at least one hydrocarbyl or heterohydrocarbyl group having a polar substituent, but excluding the case where all such polar substituents are phosphane, arsane or stibana groups; and optionally (c) an activator.

Abstract: A process for the polymerization and copolymerization of olefins is disclosed, comprising contacting the monomeric olefin under polymerization conditions with a polymerization catalyst or catalyst system which comprises (a) a source of a Group VIII metal; (b) a bidentate phosphine ligand having the formula (R1)(R1)P—X—P(R1)(R1), where each R1 is independently selected from a phenyl group or a substitued phenyl group with the proviso that at least one of the R1 groups is a phenyl group having at least one ortho substituent, and X is a bridging group of the structure —[N]x—[P]y—[N]— where x and y are independently 0 or 1, or —C(R4)2— where R4 may be the same or different and is hydrogen or a monovavlent hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or hetero-hydrocarbyl group; and optionally (c) a promoter.

Abstract: A process for the trimerisation of olefins is disclosed, comprising contacting a monomeric olefin or mixture of olefins under trimerisation conditions with a catalyst which comprises (a) a source of chromium, molybdenum or tungsten (b) a ligand containing at least one phosphorus, arsenic or antimony atom bound to at least one hydrocarbyl or heterohydrocarbyl group having a polar substituent, but excluding the case where all such polar substituents are phosphane, arsane or stibana groups; and optionally (c) an activator.

Abstract: A process for the trimerisation of olefins is disclosed, comprising contacting a monomeric olefin or mixture of olefins under trimerisation conditions with a catalyst which comprises (a) a source of chromium, molybdenum or tungsten (b) a ligand containing at least one phosphorus, arsenic or antimony atom bound to at least one hydrocarbyl or heterohydrocarbyl group having a polar substituent, but excluding the case where all such polar substituents are phosphane, arsane or stibana groups; and optionally (c) an activator.

Abstract: A catalyst composition for the polymerization of radically polymerisable monomer is disclosed, which comprises (i) an initiator having a radically transferable atom or group and (ii) a component of Formula (I): {Fe[T]L}.(T/b)X, wherein Fe is iron and T its oxidation state, L is a ligand of Formula (II): R 1—N═CH—(CH 2 ) n —CH═N—R 2, in which R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from C 1 C 10 alkyl, aryl and substituted aryl, and n is 0 or 1; X represents an atom or group covalently or ionically bonded to Fe; b is the valency of the atom or group X.

Abstract: A process for the polymerisation and copolymerisation of olefins is disclosed, comprising contacting the monomeric olefin under polymerisation conditions with a polymerisation catalyst or catalyst system which comprises (a) a source of a Group VIII metal; (b) a bidentate phosphine ligand having the formula (R1)(R1)P—X—P(R1)(R1), where each R1 is independently selected from a phenyl group or a substitued phenyl group with the proviso that at least one of the R1 groups is a phenyl group having at least one ortho substituent, and X is a bridging group of the structure —[N]x—[P]9—[N]— where x and y are independently 0 or 1, or —C(R4)2—where R4 may be the same or different and is hydrogen or a monovavlent hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl or hetero-hydrocarbyl group; and optionally (c) a promoter.