Abstract: Catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, palladium or platinum and alkali metals are provided which are useful in the subject process for the upgrading of synthesis gas, particularly for obtaining alkanes and alcohols having at least two carbon atoms, in addition to methane and methanol. Also provided is a temperature gradient reactor useful in synthesis gas upgrading reactions for increasing selectivity to higher carbon number products.

Abstract: A process for the selective hydrocarboxylation of propylene to produce predominantly isobutyric acid in the liquid phase is provided. The reaction of propylene, carbon monoxide and water wherein a water to propylene ratio is maintained of from about 0.01 to a value less than 1.0 is effected at a temperature of about 75.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. and at a pressure of about 250 psi to about 5000 psi in the presence of a carboxylic acid solvent and a catalyst comprising a coordinating palladium compound, an organo-arsine and a hydrogen halide.

Abstract: A process is provided for the upgrading of lower alcohols to higher molecular weight alcohols by contacting the lower alcohol with a reaction promoter composition selected from alkali metal acetylides, Group IB metal acetylides, acetylides of the naturally occurring lanthanide and actinide series metals, rare earth metal hydrides, alkaline earth metal hydrides and alkoxides and alkali metal alkoxides.

Abstract: A process is provided for decarbonylating aldehydes to olefins having one less carbon atom than the aldehydes, carbon oxide and hydrogen, by passing the aldehydes over a catalyst comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of palladium, platinum, rhodium, copper, silver, gold and zinc supported on or exchanged onto a support.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of aliphatic acetate esters and gaseous alkanes comprising contacting acetic acid and synthesis gas in the vapor phase at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst containing the mixed oxides of ruthenium and nickel, and optionally an alkali metal oxide and the oxides of cobalt, cadmium, zinc or mixtures thereof. Other carboxylic acids may be substituted for acetic acid as desired.

Abstract: Solid catalysts comprising a solid inorganic catalyst support material and polymeric transition metal complex are ideally suited for use as solid catalysts in various vapor phase heterogeneous continuous reactions.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, palladium or platinum and alkali metals are provided which are useful in the subject process for the upgrading of synthesis gas, particularly for obtaining alkanes and alcohols having at least two carbon atoms, in addition to methane and methanol. Also provided is a temperature gradient reactor useful in synthesis gas upgrading reactions for increasing selectivity to higher carbon number products.

Abstract: Crystalline Group IIIB metallophosphates are provided herein having a composition in terms of mole ratios of oxides in the synthesized state of:X(M'.sub.2 O):Y(M.sub.2 O.sub.3):Z(P.sub.2 O.sub.5):nH.sub.2 O (I)whereinM' is an alkali metal;M is a Group IIB metal;x/y is a number from about 1.1 to about 1.9;z/y is a number from about 1 to about 1.9n/y is a number from about 0 to about 8.Also provided is the use of these metallophosphates as ion exchange materials.

Abstract: A process is provided for the upgrading of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons, particularly olefins and carboxylic acids by contacting synthesis gas with catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, copper, an alkali or alkaline earth metal, and optionally a metal selected from Ce, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Th, Zn or mixtures thereof. The synthesis gas upgrading product may be contacted with a hydrogenation catalyst to provide alkanes, alcohols and esters, useful for fuels.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, copper, at least one alkali metal and at least one of rhodium, iridium, palladium, and platinum are provided which are useful in the upgrading of synthesis gas, particularly for obtaining alkanes and alcohols.

Abstract: A process for the selective hydrocarboxylation of propylene to produce predominantly isobutyric acid in the liquid phase is provided. The reaction of propylene, carbon monoxide and water is effected at a temperature of about 75.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. and at a pressure of about 250 psi to about 5000 psi in the presence of a suitable solvent and a catalyst comprising palladium or a palladium compound, a phosphoamine promoter ligand compound and a hydrogen halide.

Abstract: Oxygenated organic compounds, e.g. esters, aldehydes, and amides, are prepared by reacting an olefinically unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide and a compound containing a replaceable hydrogen atom in the presence of a catalyst comprising cobalt or ruthenium carbonyl and a promoter ligand. The promoter ligand is selected from the group consisting of heterocyclic nitrogen oxide compounds and phosphorus or sulfur oxides. These reactions are carried out under relatively mild conditions of temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A methane conversion process is provided for the production of olefins and hydrogen comprising contacting methane in the absence of oxygen and in the absence of water at a reaction temperature of at least 500.degree. C. with a catalyst comprising the mixed oxides of a first metal selected from lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof, a second metal selected from beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and mixtures thereof, and optionally a promoter metal selected from copper, rhenium, tungsten, zirconium, rhodium, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for the upgrading of synthesis gas is provided wherein olefin and oxygenated hydrocarbons, particularly alcohol and carboxylic acid, products predominate. The process includes contacting synthesis gas at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst comprising partially reduced ruthenium oxide and elemental gold. The products may be recovered and contacted with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to yield alkanes, alcohols and esters useful for fuels.

Abstract: A process is provided for the vapor phase hydrogenation of carboxylic acids to yield their corresponding alcohols in the presence of steam and a catalyst comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, at least one of cobalt, nickel, and optionally one of cadmium, zinc, copper, iron, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum. A process is further provided for the preparation of carboxylic acid esters from carboxylic acids in the absence of steam utilizing the above-identified catalysts.

Abstract: A process is provided for the vapor phase hydrogenation of carboxylic acids to yield their corresponding alcohols in the presence of steam and a catalyst comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, at least one of cobalt, nickel, and optionally one of cadmium, zinc, copper, iron, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum. A process is further provided for the preparation of carboxylic acid esters from carboxylic acids in the absence of steam utilizing the above-identified catalysts.

Abstract: A process for the upgrading of synthesis gas is provided wherein olefin and oxygenated hydrocarbons, particularly alcohol and carboxylic acid, products predominate. The process includes contacting synthesis gas at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst comprising partially reduced ruthenium oxide and elemental gold. The products may be recovered and contacted with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to yield alkanes, alcohols and esters useful for fuels.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, copper, at least one alkali metal and at least one of rhodium, iridium, palladium, and platinum are provided which are useful in the upgrading of synthesis gas, particularly for obtaining alkanes and alcohols.

Abstract: Cyanoesters are prepared by contacting an olefinic carboxylate ester, e.g. methyl acrylate, with gaseous hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalyst containing an element selected from the group consisting of Group IA metals and Group IIA metals.

Abstract: Five-membered nitrogen-containing saturated heterocyclic compounds, e.g. pyrrolidone, can be prepared by the catalytic hydrogenation/amination of a five-membered heterocyclic anhydride or the corresponding acid. This reaction proceeds with high yields and selectivities when it is conducted in the presence of complex catalysts containing ruthenium.