Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for the carbonylation of an epoxide by reacting it with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system containing two components, wherein the first component is a source of one or more metals selected from the group consisting of cobalt, ruthenium and rhodium, and the second component is a coordination complex of a tetrapyrrole compound with one or more of the metals belonging to the group consisting of groups IIIA and IIIB of the periodic system, lanthanides and actinides. The present invention also pertains a process for the preparation of a catalyst system.

Abstract: Process for the carbonylation of a conjugated diene by reacting the conjugated diene with carbon monoxide and an hydroxyl group containing compound in the presence of a catalyst system based on: (a) a source of palladium cations, (b) a diphosphine ligand, and (c) a source of anions, wherein the diphosphine ligand is a ligand having the general formula I wherein x1 and x2 represent a cyclic group with at least 5 ring atoms, of which one is a phosphorus atom, and R represents a bivalent aliphatic bridging group, connecting both phosphorus atoms, containing from 2 to 4 atoms in the bridge, which is substituted with at least one substituent or R represents a phenyl group with both phosphorus groups bound to the 1,2-position.

Abstract: Bidentate ligand of formula (I), R1R2M1-R-M2R3R4 wherein M1 and M2 each indenpendently represent P, As or Sb; R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represent the same or a different optionally substituted organic group and at least one of R1, R2, R3 and R4 contains a tertiary carbon atom through which the group is linked to M1 or M2; and R represents a bridging group based on a trimethylene group connecting M1 and M2 of which the middle carbon atom is double bonded to a non-metal element chosen from group 14, 15 or 16 of the periodic table of elements. Catalyst comprising this bidentate ligand and carbonylation process n which this catalyst is used.

Abstract: Process for the telomerization of a conjugated diene,

Abstract: Processes to prepare 5-cyanovaleric acid or its ester is provided, by carbonylation of a pentenenitrile, wherein pentenenitrile is reacted with carbon monoxide and water and/or an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst system.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for the hydroformylation of an ethylenically unsaturated compound in the presence of an acid with a pKa<+3, and a catalyst of a group VIII metal and a bidentate ligand of the formula: R1R2—P—X—P—R3R4  (I) wherein P is a phosphorus atom, X represents a bivalent organic bridging group, R1, R2, R3 and R4 represent independently a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, or R1 and R2 together with the phosphorus atom to which they are bonded and/or R3 and R4 together with the phosphorus atom to which they are bonded represent a bivalent substituted or unsubstituted cyclic group, characterized in that the process is performed in the presence of a mono tert-phosphine, wherein the ratio moles of mono tert-phosphine:moles of acid is from about 1:1 to about 10:1.

Abstract: Process for the carbonylation of optionally substituted ethylenically unsaturated compounds by reaction with carbon monoxide and a coreactant in the presence of a catalyst system. The catalyst system includes (a) a source of Pt group metal cations, (b) a certain bidentate diphosphine composition.

Abstract: Process for the telomerization of a conjugated diene, wherein the conjugated diene is reacted with a compound containing an active hydrogen atom and having a formula R′—H in the presence of a telomerization catalyst based on: (a) a source of group VIII metal, (b) a bidentate ligand wherein the bidentate ligand has the general formula I R1R2M1—R—M2R3R4  (I) wherein M1 and M2 are independently P, As or Sb; R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently represent a monovalent aliphatic group; or R1, R2 and M1 together and/or R3, R4 and M2 together independently represent an optionally substituted aliphatic cyclic group with at least 5 ring atoms, of which one is the M1 or M2 atom, respectively; R represents a bivalent organic bridging group; and novel bidentate diphosphines which can be used in this process.

Abstract: Process for the hydroformylation of an optionally substituted ethylenically unsaturated compound by reaction thereof with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a specific catalyst system which includes a source of Group VIII metal cations; a diphosphine ligand having the general formula (I):

Abstract: The invention pertains to a hydroformylation process for the conversion of an ethylenically unsaturated compound to an alcohol comprising a first step of reacting at an elevated temperature in a reactor the ethylenically unsaturated compound, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and a phosphine-containing cobalt hydroformylation catalyst, which are dissolved in a solvent, followed by a second step of separating a mixture comprising the alcohol and heavy ends from a solution comprising the catalyst and the solvent, followed by a third step of recycling the solution to the reactor.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for the hydroformylation of an ethylenically unsaturated compound in the presence of an acid with a pKa <+3, and a catalyst of a group VIII metal and a bidentate ligand of the formula:

Abstract: A process for producing primary alcohols from secondary alcohols and/or tertiary alcohols and/or ketones, wherein the process comprises reacting a compound selected from a secondary alcohol, a tertiary alcohol, a ketone, or mixtures thereof, with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst based on:

Abstract: Processes to prepare 5-cyanovaleric acid or its ester are provided, by carbonylation of a pentenenitrile, wherein pentenenitrile is reacted with carbon monoxide and water and/or an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst system. The catalyst system contains: (a) a metal of Group VIII or a compound thereof, (b) a certain bidentate phosphine, arsine and/or stibine ligand, and (c) an acid having a pKa less than 3, as measured at 18° C. in an aqueous solution. &egr;-caprolactam is also prepared by reduction of 5-cyanovaleric acid or ester obtained above to 6-aminocaproic acid or ester, and then cyclisation of the 6-aminocaproic acid or ester to &egr;-caprolactam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the carbonylation of conjugated dienes, whereby a conjugated diene is reacted with carbon monoxide and a hydroxyl group containing compound in the presence of a catalyst system including: (a) a source of palladium cations, (b) a phosphorus-containing ligand, (c) a source of anions, wherein the phosphorus-containing ligand is a ligand having the general formula (I): X1—R—X2 wherein X1 and X2 represent a substituted or non-substituted cyclic group with at least 5 ring atoms, of which one is a phosphorus atom, and R represents a bivalent organic bridging group, connecting both phosphorus atoms, containing from 1 to 4 atoms in the bridge, whereby the carbonylation process can be performed batch wise, semi-continuously or continuously.

Abstract: Process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds having 3 or more carbon atoms by reaction with carbon monoxide and an hydroxyl group containing compound in the presence of a catalyst system. The catalyst system includes (a) a source of palladium cations; (b) a bidentate diphosphine of formula I, R1R2>P—R3—R—R4—P<R5R6  (I) wherein P represents a phosphorus atom; R1, R2, R5 and R6 independently represent the same or different optionally substituted organic groups containing a tertiary carbon atom through which the group is linked to the phosphorus atom; R3 and R4 independently represent optionally substituted alkylene groups and R represents an optionally substituted aromatic group; (c) a source of anions derived from an acid having a pKa less than 3, as measured at 18° C. in an aqueous solution. The process is carried out in the presence of an aprotic solvent.

Abstract: Process for the carbonylation of a conjugated diene by reacting the conjugated diene with carbon monoxide and an hydroxyl group containing compound in the presence of a catalyst system based on: (a) a source of palladium cations, (b) a diphosphine ligand, and (c) a source of anions, wherein the diphosphine ligand is a ligand having the general formula I wherein x1 and x2 represent a cyclic group with at least 5 ring atoms, of which one is a phosphorus atom, and R represents a bivalent aliphatic bridging group, connecting both phosphorus atoms, containing from 2 to 4 atoms inthe bridge, which is substituted with at least one substituent orR represents a phenyl group with both phosphorus groups bound to the 1,2-position.

Abstract: Process for the carbonylation of optionally substituted ethylenically unsaturated compounds by reaction with carbon monoxide and a coreactant in the presence of a catalyst system.

Abstract: Process for the carbonylation of optionally substituted ethylenically unsaturated compounds by reaction with carbon monoxide and a coreactant in the presence of a catalyst system.

Abstract: Bidentate ligand of formula II, R1R2M1—R—M2R3R4  (II) wherein M1 and M2 are independently P, As or Sb; R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently represent tertiary alkyl groups, or R1 and R2 together and/or R3 and R4 together represent an optionally substituted bivalent cycloaliphatic group whereby the two free valencies are linked to M1 or M2, and R represents a bivalent aliphatic bridging group containing from 2 to 6 atoms in the bridge, which is substituted with two or more substituents. A catalyst system comprising: a) a source of group VIII metal cations; b) a source of such a bidentate ligand; and c) a source of anions, and use of such a catalyst system in a process for the carbonylation of optionally substituted ethylenically or acetylenically unsaturated compounds by reaction with carbon monoxide and a coreactant is provided.

Abstract: Process for the telomerization of a conjugated diene,