Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of ?,?-unsaturated acids, esters and amides from ?- or ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids or esters or precursors in high yields and high selectivity. The ?,?-unsaturated acids or esters are optionally prepared in the presence of specific dehydration and/or esterification catalysts. The ?,?-unsaturated amides or substituted amides are prepared optionally in the presence of a dehydration and/or amidation catalyst. The source of ?- or ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids or precusor is preferably from a renewable resource. The precursor is defined herein.

Abstract: 2-acrylamido 2-methyl propane sulphonic acid and other acrylamido-alkane sulphonic acids are made by reacting a compound such as t-butanol, t-butyl acetate or t-butyl methyl ester with a sulphonating agent in the absence of water, and then with a nitrile and water.

Abstract: When making an unsaturated amide by hydrolysis of an unsaturated nitrile in the presence of a catalyst such as Raney copper and an oxidizing agent such as copper nitrate, by-product formation is reduced by including a reagent selected from reducing agents and acids that are substantially non-oxidizing relative to the said oxidizing agent. The preferred reagents are acidic buffers, especially acetic acid and copper acetate. Washing with such a buffer a Raney catalyst or other catalyst that is to be used for catalyzing the hydrolysis of an unsaturated nitrile to an unsaturated amide reduces the temperature surge that otherwise occurs upon addition of the catalyst to the reaction mixture.