Abstract: Aldehydes are prepared by hydrogenating a compound of general formula R'COOR, wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl or an acyl group, or a metal, and R' represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group having at most two alpha-hydrogen atoms, provided it has at most one beta-hydrogen atom, in case it has two alpha-hydrogen atoms, in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least one metal selected from rare earth metals and iron on an alumina-based carrier.

Abstract: Isophorone is converted to 3,5-xylenol in the vapor phase in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a particular combination of multiple rare earth metals on an alumina support or one or more rare earth metals in combination with one or more transition metals and/or one or more alkali or alkaline earth metals. Particularly good results are obtained with a catalyst comprising a naturally-occurring mixture of rare earth metals known as didymium in combination with potassium and cobalt promoters.

Abstract: Alkene oxides are produced by the reaction of an organic hydroperoxide and an alkene in the presence of a catalyst of an inorganic oxygen compound of silicon in chemical combination with an oxide or hydroxide of titanium.

Abstract: Cyclic terpene compounds selected from the class consisting of pinane, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene and mixtures thereof are converted into their corresponding open-chain isomers-e.g., dihydromyrcene, allo-ocimene and myrcene-by thermal isomerization at a temperature of at least 300.degree. C in the presence of a solid material comprising a metal or metal oxide selected from the class consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals and mixtures thereof supported on a carrier having a specific surface area in the range of about 0.01 to about 20 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: 3,5-Xylenol is prepared in high yield from isophorone by heating isophorone at a temperature of from about 450.degree. to about 650.degree. in the presence of a halogen having an atomic number of at least 17 or an organic compound containing such a halogen.

Abstract: Substituted olefins are epoxidized by contacting a hydrocarbon hydroperoxide and a substituted olefin in the presence of a catalyst of an inorganic oxygen compound of silicon in chemical combination with an oxide or hydroxide of titanium.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of alkylbenzenes by contacting phenyl alkyl ketones and/or 1-phenylalkanols with hydrogen in the presence of a supported noble metal of Group VIII at a temperature above about 175.degree.C.