Abstract: A process for the preparation of acicular gamma-iron(III) oxide of high coercive force by reducing acicular iron(III) oxide hydroxide, as it is being passed continuously through a furnace having two or more heating zones at from 190.degree. to 700.degree. C., by means of a gas mixture which is produced by passing a stream of inert gas, heated to above 250.degree. C., through an organic substance also heated to above 250.degree. C. in a vessel, and, on introduction into the furnace, is first brought into contact with the .alpha.-iron(III) oxide formed from the iron(III) oxide hydroxide by elimination of water in the first heating zone of the furnace at from 190.degree. to 250.degree. C., the .alpha.-iron(III) oxide thereby being converted to magnetite which is subsequently oxidized with an oxygen-containing gas at from 150.degree. to 400.degree. C., to give gamma-iron(III) oxide.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of caprolactam wherein, in a first stage, cyclohexanone-oxime is vaporized, in the presence of inert gases, by bringing it into contact with a fluidized bed of inert solid particles at from 150.degree. to 250.degree. C., and the mixture of cyclohexanone-oxime vapor and inert gases is passed into a second stage, where the cyclohexanone-oxime is rearranged to caprolactam at from 230.degree. to 450.degree. C. over a supported catalyst, containing boron trioxide, in a fluidized bed.