Abstract: A catalyst system for the polymerization of olefins comprising the product obtained by contacting: (A) a metallocene complex; (B) an organometallic aluminium compound of formula (II): Al[CH2—C(Ar)R4R5]xHy??(II) wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms; R4 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, C1–C10 alkyl, C6–C20 aryl, C7–C20 arylalkyl or C7–C20 alkylaryl; R5 is hydrogen or a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, C1–C10 alkyl, C6–C20 aryl, C7–C20 arylalkyl or C7–C13 alkylaryl group; x=2 or 3; y=3-x; and water; the molar ratio (B)/(C) being between 1:1 and 100:1. These catalysts show an improved activity with respect to known catalysts, wherein different aluminium compounds are used.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process comprising reacting a compound having at least one olefinic carbon-to-carbon bond with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a cobalt catalyst, the hydroformylation process being carried out in one or more reactors, at least one of which comprises a gas cap region and a liquid-containing region while in use, characterized in that a sulphur-containing additive is present on the inside walls of the gas cap region of the at least one-reactor which comprises a gas cap region and a liquid-containing region. The sulphur-containing additive suppresses the formation of methane during the hydroformylation process.

Abstract: A process for the production of alpha-olefins comprising reacting ethylene under oligomerization conditions in the presence of a mixture comprising: (a) a metal salt based on Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II) or Co(III); (b) a pyridine bis-imine ligand; and (c) a co-catalyst which is the reaction product of water with one or more organometallic aluminium compounds, wherein the one or more organometallic aluminium compounds is selected from: (i) ??-branched compounds of formula (I): Al(CH2—CR1R2—CH2—CR4R5R6)xR3yHz; (ii) ??-branched compounds of formula (II) Al(CH2—CR1R2—CR4R5R6)xR3yHz and mixtures thereof; wherein when the metal salt and the bis-arylimine pyridine ligand are mixed together they are soluble in aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process comprising reacting a compound having at least one olefinic carbon-to-carbon bond with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a cobalt catalyst, the hydroformylation process being carried out in one or more reactors, at least one of which comprises a gas cap region and a liquid-containing region while in use, characterized in that a sulphur-containing additive is present on the inside walls of the gas cap region of the at least one-reactor which comprises a gas cap region and a liquid-containing region. The sulphur-containing additive suppresses the formation of methane during the hydroformylation process.

Abstract: A process for preparing refined acrylic esters, the process including steps of distilling an acrylic ester containing stream in the presence of hydroquinone or substituted hydroquinone, at a concentration in the range of 200 to 5000 ppmw, wherein the distillation is carried out in the presence of 0.001 to 1.0 % v, on the vapor phase, of oxygen.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of acetylenically unsaturated compounds in the presence of a nucleophilic compound having one or more removable hydrogen atoms and a catalyst system based on a source of platinum, a bisphosphine of the formula R.sub.1 R.sub.2 PRPR.sub.3 R.sub.4 wherein each of R.sub.1,R.sub.2,R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 independently represents a hydrocarbyl group and R represents a bivalent bridging group and a source of anions from a conjugated base of an acid having a pKa of less than 4.

Abstract: A process for the hydroformylation of .alpha.-substituted, .alpha.-.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in the presence of a catalyst system based ona) a source of rhodium cations andb) a source of ligands of the formula MR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 wherein M represents a phosphorus, arsenic or antimony atom and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 independently represent substituted or non-substituted hydrocarbyl groups, together containing not more than 24 carbon atoms. At least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 is linked to M via an aliphatic carbon atom. The process is selective for the generation of alpha reaction products.

Abstract: The invention relates a process for the carbonylation of epoxides by reaction with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system containing a source of cobalt and a hydroxy substituted pyridine compound, whereby .beta.-propiolactones and/or derivatives thereof, such as .beta.-propiolactone polymers, .beta.-hydroxy carboxylic acids and esters, and .beta.-alkoxy carboxylic acids and esters, are produced.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of copolymers of carbon monoxide and olefinically unsaturated compounds in the presence of an aprotic solvent and a catalyst system consisting essentially of:(a) a Group VIII metal,(b) an acid or an anion thereof having a pKa of less than 2, and(c) a phosphorus bidentate ligand of the general formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 P-R-P-R.sup.1 R.sup.2, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent identical or different aliphatic alkyl groups and R is a divalent organic bridging group containing at least two carbon atoms in the bridge connecting the two phosphorus atoms,wherein the copolymerization is carried out in the additional presence of hydrogen, while the molar ratio of catalyst component (c) to catalyst component (a) is in the range of from 1 to 10.

Abstract: The invention relates a process for the carbonylation of epoxides by reaction with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system containing a source of cobalt and a hydroxy substituted pyridine compound, whereby .beta.-propiolactones and/or derivatives thereof, such as .beta.-propiolactone polymers, .beta.-hydroxy carboxylic acids and esters, and .beta.-alkoxy carboxylic acids and esters, are produced.

Abstract: Linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide, non-conjugated alkenylbenzene compound and optionally ethylene are produced by contacting the monomeric reactants under polymerization conditions in the presence of an inert reaction diluent and a catalytic quantity of a catalyst composition formed from a compound of palladium, the anion of a strong non-hydrohalogenic acid having a pKa less than 2 and a bis(dialkylphosphino)alkane. The polymer products are thermoplastics and have utility as engineering thermoplastics.