Abstract: A supported, phosphorus-modified zerovalent nickel catalyst shows improved selectivity in the hydrogenation of fatty materials. The increased selectivity of this catalyst permits continuous reduction of fatty materials with a selectivity comparable to that observed in batch reduction using a more conventional nickel catalyst.

Abstract: Several materials, suitable as carriers or supports for zerovalent metals dispersed thereon have been found to be appreciably more corrosion resistant in the environment of organic acids than are conventional supports, among which are included alpha-alumina, theta-alumina, titanated alumina, titania, and aluminum phosphate. The discovery of such corrosion resistant supports permits a continuous process for the hydrogenation of a fatty acid to its fatty alcohol using a fixed catalyst bed of a zerovalent metal dispersed on a carrier of this invention.

Abstract: Substantial improvement in the selectivity of reduction of fatty materials may be obtained using as a catalyst a zerovalent Group VIII metal dispersed in an eggshell distribution on a porous support. When the catalyst is nickel on gamma-alumina it is possible to perform continuous reduction using a fixed catalyst bed with selectivities which equal or exceed that exhibited by conventional nickel catalysts used in a batch process.

Abstract: Unsaturated carboxylic acids may be reduced to an ester or to a corresponding alcohol by treatment with hydrogen in the presence of a reducing catalyst. The reducing catalyst which is used in the present invention comprises cadmium and ruthenium in a low valence oxidation state composited on a solid support. If so desired, the catalyst may also contain a platinum group metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Tale. By utilizing this catalyst which may be exemplified by cadmium, ruthenium and platinum composited on gamma alumina in a process in which hydrogen is continuously bled from the reaction vessel, it is possible to obtain products in which the carboxyl group of the molecule has been reduced without materially reducing the double bonds of the compound.

Abstract: Unsaturated carboxylic acids may be reduced to an ester or to a corresponding alcohol by treatment with hydrogen in the presence of a reducing catalyst system. The reducing catalyst system which is used in the present invention comprises rhenium and a nitrogen-containing compound composited on a solid support as exemplified by rhenium and ammonium hydroxide composited on gamma-alumina. By utilizing this catalyst system, it is possible to obtain products in which the carbonyl group of the molecule has been reduced with some retention of the double bond of the carbon chain.

Abstract: Unsaturated carboxylic acids may be reduced to the corresponding alcohols and esters while maintaining some degree of unsaturation in the carbon atom chain of the molecule by treating said acids with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst system comprising rhenium composited on a solid support such as alumina and a phosphorous-containing compound as a modifier. The catalyst which is employed at reaction condition, including a temperature in the range of from about 100.degree. to about 500.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of from about 100 to about 5000 psi, may be exemplified by rhenium composited on gamma-alumina and hypophosphorous acid.

Abstract: Unsaturated carboxylic acids, as exemplified by oleic acid, erucic acid, crotonic acid, etc., may be subjected to a reduction reaction by treatment with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising cadmium and rhenium composited on a solid support such as alumina. The reduction reaction is effected at elevated temperatures and pressures, a specific feature of the reaction process being that hydrogen is continuously bled from the reactor during the reaction period. This feature results in obtaining a higher selectivity of esters and alcohols which retain the unsaturation of the original starting material.

Abstract: Unsaturated carboxylic acids may be subjected to a reduction process in which the resulting product retains the unsaturation of the starting acids by effecting the reaction in the presence of a catalyst comprising cadmium and rhenium composited on a solid support such as alumina. If so desired, the catalyst composite may also contain a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table.