Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 2,5-dihydrofuran compounds by contacting an olefinically-substituted ethylene carbonate compound with a catalyst comprising an acidic component and a halogen component. The process is especially useful for the preparation of 2,5-dihydrofuran from vinyl ethylene carbonate (4-ethenyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-one) which is readily available from 3,4-epoxy-1-butene.

Abstract: Disclosed are bis-phosphine compounds having the general formula ##STR1## wherein: each of A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3 and A.sup.4 is an arylene radical wherein (i) each phosphorus atom P is bonded to a ring carbon atom of A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 and to a ring carbon atom of A.sup.3 and A.sup.4, (ii) A.sup.1 and A.sup.2, and A.sup.3 and A.sup.4 are bonded to each other by ring carbon atoms and (iii) each of the residues ##STR2## constitutes a 5-membered ring; each of A.sup.5 and A.sup.6 is an arylene radical wherein A.sup.5 and A.sup.6 are bonded to each other and to residues R.sup.1 --C--R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 --C--R.sup.4 by ring carbon atoms and R.sup.1 --C--R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 --C--R.sup.4 are connected to each other through a chain of 4 carbon atoms; andR.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical containing up to about 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Disclosed are bis-phosphine compounds having the general formula ##STR1## wherein: each of A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3 and A.sup.4 is an arylene radical wherein (i) each phosphorus atom P is bonded to a ring carbon atom of A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 and to a ring carbon atom of A.sup.3 and A.sup.4, (ii) A.sup.1 and A.sup.2, and A.sup.3 and A.sup.4 are bonded to each other by ring carbon atoms and (iii) each of the residues ##STR2## constitutes a 5-membered ring; each of A.sup.5 and A.sup.6 is an arylene radical wherein A.sup.5 and A.sup.6 are bonded to each other and to residues R.sup.1 --C--R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 --C--R.sup.4 by ring carbon atoms and R.sup.1 --C--R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 --C--R.sup.4 are connected to each other through a chain of 4 carbon atoms; andR.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical containing up to about 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous process for the manufacture of 2,5-dihydrofurans by the isomerization of .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes in the liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst system comprising an onium iodide compound and a Lewis acid and a process solvent comprising a mixture of the 2,5-dihydrofuran product of the process and an oligomer of the .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes reactant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of an equilibrium mixture of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran and 4-hydroxybutanal by a two-step process comprising (1) heating 2,5-dihydrofuran in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a phosphine, ruthenium or rhodium to convert the 2,5-dihydrofuran to 2,3-dihydrofuran; and (2) contacting 2,3-dihydrofuran with water in the presence of an acidic catalyst to convert the 2,3-dihydrofuran to a mixture of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran and 4-hydroxybutanal. Also disclosed is a process for the continuous production of an aqueous solution of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran and 4-hydroxybutanal. The mixture of 2-hydroxytetra-hydrofuran and 4-hydroxybutanal may be catalytically hydrogenated to produce 1,4-butanediol.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the isomerization of epoxyalkenes to dihydrofurans by contacting an epoxyalkene with a catalyst comprising a quaternary organic onium iodide compounds, optionally deposited on a non-acidic support and/or in combination with a Lewis acid co-catalyst. The catalyst may comprise a supported catalyst, an unsupported catalyst or a solution of the catalytically-active components in an inert, organic solvent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing biaryl, bidentate ligands comprising:(1) contacting a biaryl compound having the structural formula: ##STR1## with a proton abstracting agent under conditions suitable to form a biaryl dianion, which is then(2) contacted with a Group V compound of the formula: ##STR2## where X' is halogen or a suitable leaving group.

Abstract: The hydroformylation of olefins with rhodium complex catalysts is described. The catalysts employed comprise a rhodium complex with at least one bidentate ligand having a specified structure, ##STR1## Hydroformylation reactions at relatively low temperatures and pressure and yet with high rates of reaction and high selectivity to aldehyde product are obtained by the practice of the present invention.

Abstract: The hydroformylation of olefins with rhodium complex catalysts is described. The catalysts employed comprise a rhodium complex with at least one bidentate ligand having a specified structure, ##STR1## Hydroformylation reactions at relatively low temperatures and pressure and yet with high rates of reaction and high selectivity to aldehyde product are obtained by the practice of the present invention.

Abstract: A novel ligand for use in hydroformylation reactions wherein at least one olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms is contacted in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 50 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a catalyst containing rhodium, the ligand having the formula ##STR1## wherein: n is 1-4;each R is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or cyano;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl or cycloaliphatic;each R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R.sub.1 substituents; andeach Y is independently selected from the elements N, P, As, Sb and Bi.

Abstract: The process for preparing a bidentate ligand comprising the steps,(1) contacting with ozone under ozonolysis conditions a suspension in a hydroxylic reaction medium of phenanthrene or a phenanthrene derivative to form an ozonated intermediate,(2) contacting said ozonated intermediate with a reducing agent under conditions appropriate to form the corresponding diol,(3) contacting said diol with a latent displaceable functional group under conditions appropriate to convert the diol to the corresponding difunctional biaryl compound, and(4) contacting said difunctional biaryl compound, with an anion of N, P, As, Sb or Bi under conditions appropriate to form the desired bidentate ligand.

Abstract: A novel ligand for use in hydroformylation reactions wherein at least one olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms is contacted in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 50 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a catalyst containing rhodium, the ligand having the formula ##STR1## wherein: n is 1-4;each R is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralky, alkaryl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or cyano;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl or cycloaliphatic;each R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R.sub.1 substituents; andeach Y is independently selected from the elements N, P, As, Sb and Bi.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process including contacting hydroformylation stock in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 15 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen and carbon monoxide wherein the catalyst comprises rhodium in chemical complex with one or more ligands of the formulae ##STR1## wherein: Z, when present, represents the atoms necessary to form with adjacent carbons on the benzene nucleus a fused divalent ring structure having up to about 20 ring carbons;each ring is either unsubstituted or one or more of the hydrogens thereof is replaced with a substituent R selected independently from alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or cyano;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process including contacting hydroformylation stock in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 15 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen and carbon monoxide wherein the catalyst comprises rhodium in chemical complex with one or more ligands of the formulae ##STR1## wherein: Z, when present, represents the atoms necessary to form with adjacent carbons on the benzene nucleus a fused divalent ring structure having up to about 20 ring carbons;each ring is either unsubstituted or one or more of the hydrogens thereof is replaced with a substituent R selected independently from alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or cyano;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process including contacting hydroformylation stock in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 15 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen, carbon monoxide, wherein the catalyst comprises rhodium in chemical complex with one or more ligands of the formulae ##STR1## wherein: the x and y bonds are adjacent on ring structures,each R when present as a substituent is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, cyano, aralkyl, alkaryl, or the like;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or the like;each R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R.sub.1 substituents; andeach Y is independently selected from the elements N, P, As, Sb and Bi.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process comprising contacting hydroformylation stock in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 15 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a catalyst comprising rhodium in chemical complex with one or more ligands of the formula ##STR1## wherein: the x and y bonds are adjacent on ring structures,each R when present as a substituent is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, cyano, aralkyl, alkaryl, or the like;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or the like;each R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R.sub.1 substituents; andeach Y is independently selected from the elements N, P, As, Sb and Bi.

Abstract: A hydroformylation process for preparing dialdehydes from dienes by contacting a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 diene in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 15 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a catalyst containing rhodium, the ligand having the formula ##STR1## wherein: n is 1-4;each R is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or cyano;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl or cycloaliphatic;each R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R.sub.1 substituents; andeach Y is independently selected from the elements N, P, As, Sb and Bi.

Abstract: A novel ligand for use in hydroformylation reactions wherein at least one olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms is contacted in a reaction zone at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure of from about 50 psig to about 800 psig with hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a catalyst containing rhodium, the ligand having the formula ##STR1## wherein: n is 1-4;each R is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloaliphatic, halogen, alkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or cyano;each R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl or cycloaliphatic;each R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is independently selected from hydrogen and the R.sub.1 substituents; andeach Y is independently selected from the elements N, P, As, Sb and Bi.