Abstract: Selective hydrogenation of the carbon-carbon double bonds of conjugated diene copolymers is effective homogeneous solution in an organic solvent in the presence of certain divalent ruthenium carbonyl complex catalysts. The ruthenium catalysts have the general formula:Ru(CO)HA(Z).sub.3 ( 1)wherein A is a halogen atom, most preferably chlorine, or a hydrogen atom and Z is -PR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and are selected from alkyl and aryl groups, preferably all the phenyl group, or have the general formula:Ru(CO)XY(Z).sub.2 ( 2)wherein X is a carboxylate group, particularly ClCH.sub.2 COO--, Cl.sub.2 CHCOO--, Cl.sub.3 CCOO--, F.sub.3 CCOO--, CH.sub.3 COO--, C.sub.6 H.sub.5 COO-- or p--ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 COO--, y is a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine atom or a bromine atom, or a hydrogen atom or a carboxylate group, Z is as defined above.

Abstract: Selective hydrogenation of the carbon-carbon double bonds of conjugated diene copolymers is effective homogeneous solution in an organic solvent in the presence of certain divalent ruthenium carbonyl complex catalysts. The ruthenium catalysts have the general formula:Ru(CO)HA(Z).sub.3 (1)wherein A is a halogen atom, most preferably chlorine, or a hydrogen atom and Z is --PR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and are selected from alkyl and aryl groups, preferably all the phenyl group, or have the general formula:Ru(CO)XY(Z).sub.2 (2)wherein X is a carboxylate group, particularly ClCH.sub.2 COO--, Cl.sub.2 CHCOO--, Cl.sub.3 CCOO--, F.sub.3 CCOO--, CH.sub.3 COO--, C.sub.6 H.sub.5 COO-- or p--ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 COO--, Y is a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine atom or a bromine atom, or a hydrogen atom or a carboxylate group, Z is as defined above; or have the general formula:Ru T(CO)(NO)(Z).sub.

Abstract: Thiosalts contained in waste streams are oxidized to sulfate ions in the presence of sulfur-bound copper. Air oxidation of the waste stream is effected in a slurry of the copper compound, which may be CuS, Cu.sub.2 S or chalcopyrite, and continuous long term operation is possible without loss of catalytic activity and without catalyst degradation.

Abstract: A process is provided for the selective hydrogenation of the carbon-carbon double bonds in a copolymer of a conjugated diene and one or more copolymerizable monomers which comprises hydrogenating the copolymer in the presence of a monovalent rhodium hydride complex catalyst of the general formula RhHL.sub.x wherein x is 3 or 4 and L is a ligand compound. The hydrogenation is carried out in an organic solvent in which the copolymer and catalyst are soluble and in the absence of additional ligand compound.

Abstract: Novel metal catalyst systems are described wherein metal catalysts are evenly distributed in amorphous cross-linked pore-free polymeric gels. The catalysts may be economically and cyclically used in a variety of reactions without loss of catalytic activity.