Abstract: A catalyst system, which containsa) a source of a group VIII metal, andb) a phosphine of general formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from an optionally substituted aryl group and a group of general formula: ##STR2## wherein eachh of A, X, Y and Z is independently selected from a nitrogen atom, a CH group and a group of formula CR wherein R represents a hydroxyl group, an amino group, an amido group, a cyano group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyloxy group, it also being possible for two adjacent CR groups to form a ring, provided that at least one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represents a group of formula (II) in which at least one of A and Z represents a group of formula CR; or an acid addition salt thereof.Also disclosed is the use of the catalyst system in the selective carbonylation of unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of olefinically or alkynically unsaturated compounds with carbon monoxide in the presence of water and a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is based ona) a palladium compound,b) a phosphine general formula PR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different each represent an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group, at least one of which carries a substituent selected from the group consisting of a sulphonic acid, phosphonic acid and carboxylic acid groups, or a salt thereof, andc) an anion of an acid having a pK.sub.a <3 (measured in water at 18.degree. C.) except hydrohalogenic acids,and wherein the reaction medium is at least initally a multiphase liquid reaction medium.

Abstract: Polyanhydrides are produced by reaction of unsaturated carboxylic acid of defined structure, with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst composition formed from a palladium salt, a monodentate phosphorus ligand optionally mixed with bidentate phosphorus ligand, and an oxygen-containing acid having a pKa below 2.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an amide, which comprises reacting an acetylenically or olefinically unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide and a nitrogen compound selected from ammonia and a primary or secondary amine or amide, in the presence of a catalyst system which comprises:a) a source of a Group VIII metal,b) a phosphine having an aromatic substituent which contains an imino nitrogen atom, andc) a protonic acid.

Abstract: A catalyst system, which comprises:a) a source of a Group VIII metal;b) a phosphine having an aromatic substituent which contains an imino nitrogen atom;c) a source of protons; andd) a tertiary amine.

Abstract: Polyesters or polyanhydrides are produced by reaction of non-conjugated dienes with diols or dicarboxylic acids, respectively, in the presence of a catalyst composition formed from a palladium compound, a monodentate phosphorus ligand optionally employed with a bidentate phosphorus ligand and a limited amount of a protonic acid having a pKa below 2, in the substantial absence of water. The polymer products are useful as constituents of sealants, adhesives and paints.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and norbornene-type compounds wherein substantially all of the moieties originating from the carbon monoxide are in a spiroketal structure which comprises contacting the carbon monoxide and norbornene compound in a liquid reaction diluent at a temperature below 55.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst composition formed from a compound of palladium, the anion of a non-hydrohalogenic acid having a pKa below 2, a bidentate ligand of nitrogen and an organic oxidant, the molar ratio of the bidentate ligand to the anion being at least 4.

Abstract: A catalyst system which comprises:a) a group VIII metal compound, andb) a monophosphine of formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an aliphatic hydrocarbyl group, R.sup.2 represents an optionally substituted aromatic heterocyclic group having 5 or 6 ring atoms of which at least one is nitrogen, which may form part of an optionally substituted larger condensed ring structure, and R.sup.3 independently has the meaning of R.sup.2 or represents an optionally substituted aryl group or an acid addition salt thereof, and their use in the carbonylation of unsaturated compounds.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of unsaturated carbonyl compounds having at least one cycloalkenic moiety in the molecule, which comprises contacting an allylic type unsaturated alcohol and a conjugated diene in the presence of a catalyst system obtainable by combining a Group VIII metal compound and a ligand containing one or more donor atoms selected from Group V A and VI A elements.

Abstract: A catalyst system, which containsa) a source of a Group VIII metal, andb) a phosphine of general formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from an optionally substituted aryl group and a group of general formula: ##STR2## wherein each of A, X, Y and Z is independently selected from a nitrogen atom, a CH group and a group of formula CR wherein R represents a hydroxyl group, an amino group, an amido group, a cyano group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyloxy group, it also being possible for two adjacent CR groups to form a ring, provided that at least one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represents a group of formula (II) in which at least one of A and Z represents a group of formula CR; or an acid addition salt thereof.Also disclosed is the use of the catalyst system in the selective carbonylation of unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Polymeric blends of (a) linear alternating polymer of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon with (b) reaction product of carbon monoxide and ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon with other polymeric material selected from polymeric polyols and diene rubbers are obtained when the linear alternating polymer is produced in the presence of the other polymeric material.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ketones which comprises reacting a conjugated diolefin and water in the liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst system comprising:a) a group VIII metal compound, andb) a source of protons.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon norbornene-type compounds comprises contacting the monomers in the presence of a catalytic quantity of a catalyst composition formed from a palladium compound, the anion of a strong non-hydrohalogenic acid and a bidentate ligand of phosphorus under polymerization conditions including a polymerization temperature above 100.degree. C. In an alternate modification, lower .alpha.-olefin is included in the reaction mixture and additional polymeric products are obtained.

Abstract: Novel polymeric polyalcohols are produced by hydrogenation of a linear alternating polymer of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon by contact with molecular hydrogen under hydrogenation conditions in the presence of a catalyst formed from a nickel salt and certain alkali metal hydrides.

Abstract: The relative average stereoregular character of a stereoregular linear alternating polymer of carbon monoxide and aliphatic .alpha.-olefin of at least 3 carbon atoms is enhanced by contacting a stereoregular linear alternating polymer with certain selective solvents and obtaining as a residue of such contacting a polymer of enhanced average stereoregular character.

Abstract: When a linear alternating polymer of carbon monoxide and a cyclopentene compound is produced in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising a compound of palladium, and anion of a non-hydrohalogenic acid having a pKa below 2 and a bidentate ligand, an improved process results when an aromatic meta-dinitro compound is provided to the catalyst composition mixture.

Abstract: Linear alternating copolymers of carbon monoxide and an unsaturated bicyclic carboxylic acid compound are produced in the presence of a catalyst composition formed from a palladium compound, an anion of certain strong acids and a bidentate ligand of nitrogen. When the bidentate ligand is a bidentate ligand of phosphorus and an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon is also present, a mixture of polymers is produced which includes the linear alternating copolymer.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of a linear alternating polymer of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon employs a novel catalyst composition formed from a halide-free compound of palladium, a non-hydrohalogenic acid having a pKa below 1 and a tertiary aliphatic monophosphine. The linear alternating polymers are useful as engineering thermoplastics.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon comprises contacting the carbon monoxide and ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon under polymerization conditions in inert reaction diluent in the presence of a catalyst composition formed from a compound of palladium, a bidentate ligand of phosphorus, sulfur or nitrogen and an alkyl ester or anhydride of a monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Novel linear alternating polymers wherein moieties derived from carbon monoxide alternate with moieties derived from a bicyclic unsaturated carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride, and optionally alternate with moieties derived from ethylene, and wherein at least a portion of the carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride functionality is present as higher alkyl ester, are produced by contacting carbon monoxide, bicyclic unsaturated carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride, and optionally, ethylene, under polymerization conditions in the presence of a higher alkanol and a catalyst composition formed from a palladium compound, the anion of a strong non-hydrohalogenic acid and a bidenate ligand of phosphorus.