Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the production of urethanes (i.e. carbamic acid esters) by reacting organic nitro compounds with carbon monoxide and organic compounds containing at least one hydroxy group in the presence of a unique catalyst system. The catalyst system consists of palladium or a palladium compound and iron oxychloride or a mixture of iron compounds containing iron oxychloride.

Abstract: A process has been developed for the catalytic conversion of organic chlorine compounds into carbon dioxide and hydrogen chloride, using molecular oxygen, in which process the catalyst system is provided by using platinum in a first catalyst zone and palladium in a second catalyst zone.

Abstract: An improved process has been invented for the production of (1-chloroethenyl)-oxirane which comprises dehydrochlorinating (1,2-dichloroethyl)-oxirane with a solution of the sodium salt of an alcohol having at least 5 carbon atoms in said alcohol and separating the (1-chloro-ethenyl)-oxirane from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Catalysts for the catalytic oxidation of organic compounds containing silicon, vanadium, sulfur, oxygen and at least one alkali metal element. The catalyst is prepared from a silicic acid which has an average particle size of less than 50 microns and an alkali metal content of less than 2% by weight, calculated as Na.sub.2 O and expressed relative to anhydrous silicic acid.

Abstract: Process for the production of 2-chlorobuta-1,3-diene (chloroprene) which comprises reacting 3,4-dichlorobut-1-ene and sodium butylate in n-butanol to produce a reaction mixture containing the 2-chlorobuta-1,3-diene and sodium chloride in the n-butanol with the sodium chloride being a suspended solid. The reaction mixture is distilled in a distillation column to separate the 2-chlorobuta-1,3-diene as top product and n-butanol having the sodium chloride suspended therein as sump product. The reaction can be performed in the distillation column.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of acetoxybutanal by reaction of allyl acetate with carbon monoxide and hydrogen under pressure and at elevated temperature, in the presence of a metal carbonyl compound. The reaction is carried out at 130.degree. to 180.degree. C and at concentrations of allyl acetate of less than 20% by weight, relative to the liquid phase. High yields are obtained.

Abstract: 1,4-Naphthoquinone is prepared by reacting naphthalene with molecular oxygen in a gaseous phase in the presence of a catalyst containing vanadium. Prior to reacting the naphthalene with oxygen, the catalyst is pre-treated with molecular oxygen at 300.degree. to 400.degree. C in the absence of organic compounds and immediately thereafter a gas mixture containing naphthalene and molecular oxygen is passed over the pretreated catalyst at temperatures in the range of 300.degree. to 400.degree. C. The catalyst pre-treatment can be carried out in the presence of water vapor and the subsequent reaction of naphthalene with molecular oxygen can also be carried out in the presence of water vapor.

Abstract: 1,4-NAPHTHOQUINONE IS REMOVED FROM PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE BY HEATING WITH ELEMENTARY SULFUR AT TEMPERATURES IN THE RANGE OF FROM 200.degree. TO 300.degree. C.

Abstract: In the preparation of isopropyl chloride wherein propylene and hydrogen chloride are reacted at elevated temperature in the gaseous phase in the presence of aluminum oxide as catalyst, the improvement which comprises effecting the reaction at a pressure of about 3 to 8 atm, at a temperature of about 50.degree. to 200.degree. C and in the presence of aluminum oxide having an internal surface area of about 200 to 500 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: Allyl alcohol is produced in simple and economical fashion from propylene and oxygen by reacting propylene, oxygen and acetic acid over a palladium-containing catalyst in the presence of water; condensing the reaction product to form a condensate containing allyl acetate, acetic acid and water; treating the condensate with an acid catalyst and separating the resulting product by distillation into a head product consisting essentially of an allyl acetate/allyl alcohol/water azeotrope and into a sump product consisting essentially of acetic acid, allyl alcohol and water; recycling the head product to the acid catalyst stage; separating the sump product in a second distillation into an allyl alcohol/water head product and into a second sump product consisting essentially of acetic acid and water and recycling this sump product to the initial reaction.

Abstract: Primary alkenols are produced by transesterifying a primary alkenol acetate with methanol in the presence of the hydroxide or alkoxide of a metal in the first to third main group of the Periodic Table as catalyst. Preferably the methanol is present in large excess and the by-product methyl acetate is removed as an azeotrope with the excess methanol. The reaction is preferably effected under anhydrous conditions and it is substantially quantitative.

Abstract: A process for producing chloroprene from 3,4-dichlorobutene-1 and sodium hydroxide solution wherein a dehydrated mixture of n-butanol and aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is reacted with 3,4-dichlorobutene-1 to form chloroprene and solid sodium chloride.