Abstract: A method of producing a compound of formula (i): wherein R?H or CH3 the method comprising exposing a source of a compound of formula (ii) to reaction conditions of temperature and pressure: formula (ii) wherein R is defined as above wherein, when R?CH3, the source of a compound of formula (ii) is exposed to reaction conditions of temperature and pressure while being in a liquid phase.

Abstract: A novel bidentate catalytic ligand of general formula (I) is described. R represents a hydrocarbyl aromatic structure having at least one aromatic ring to which Q1 and Q2 are each linked, via the respective linking group, if present, on available adjacent atoms of the at least one aromatic ring. The groups X3 and X4 represent radicals joined via tertiary carbon atoms to the respective atom Q1 and the groups X1 and X2 represent radicals joined via primary, or substituted aromatic ring carbon atom(s) to the respective atom Q2. A and B represent an optional lower alkylene linking group. Q1 and Q2 each represent phosphorus, arsenic or antimony. A process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds comprising reacting the compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a source of hydroxyl groups, optionally, a source of anions and catalyst system obtainable by combining a metal of Group 8, 9 or 10 or a compound thereof and the bidentate ligand of general formula (I) is also described.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of an ethylenically unsaturated compound comprising the step of reacting said compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a co-5 reactant having a mobile hydrogen atom and a catalyst system is described. The catalyst system is obtainable by combining: (a) a metal of Group 8, 9 or 10 or a suitable compound thereof; (b) a ligand of general formula (I): and c) optionally, a source of anions. The invention is characterised in that the catalyst system includes an enhancer compound comprising an aromatic ring or ring system substituted by at least one hydroxyl group wherein the hydroxyl group pKa at 25° C. is greater than 3.0 and less than 9.1, the said enhancer compound excluding 3-quinolinol.

Abstract: Novel bidentate ligands of general formula (I) are described Formula (I): R represents a hydrocarbyl aromatic structure. The substituent(s) Yx on the aromatic structure has a total X=1-n ?tYX of atoms other than hydrogen such that X-1-n?tYX is 4 where n is the total number of substituent(s) YX and tYX represents the total number of atoms other than hydrogen on a particular substituent YX. The groups X1, X2, X3 and X4 are joined to Q1 or Q2 via tertiary carbon atoms to the respective atom Q1 or Q2; and Q1 and Q2 each independently represent phosphorus, arsenic or antimony. A catalyst system and a process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds utilising the catalyst system is also described.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of a conjugated diene is described. The process comprises the steps of reacting a conjugated diene with carbon monoxide and a co-reactant having an active hydrogen in the presence of a solvent system and a catalyst system. The solvent system comprises a an aromatic carboxylic acid or, under some conditions, any carboxylic acid. The catalyst system is obtainable by combining: a. a metal of Group 8, 9 or 10 or a compound thereof: and b.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of carboxylic acids and/or derivatives, particularly amides, is described. The process includes reacting an acid or derivative such as an amide with a source of hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst system. The catalyst system obtainable by combining: (a) a source of ruthenium, and (b) a phosphine compound of general Formula I: (Formula I). The hydrogenation reaction is carried out in the presence of a low concentration of water or at low pressure or in the presence of a source of ammonia or the hydrogenation reaction is carried out in the absence of water or a combination of these factors is utilised. The invention also relates to the use of ammonia in the production of primary amines by hydrogenation of carboxylic acids and/or derivatives thereof or a process for the production of primary amines generally.

Abstract: The invention concerns metal complexes and their preparation, in particular a metal complex MLnXm, where M is a metal of group 8, 9 or 10 and X is a halide, HCO3—, NO3—, CO32— or carboxylate. n is a number equal to or less than the coordination number of the metal and m is 1 or 2 and is equal to the oxidation state of the metal. The ligand L may be a bidentate phosphine of formula (I), (II), (III) or (IV) as set out herein. The process of production comprises reacting an ammine compound of metal M with a complexing compound, which is preferably a phosphine.

Abstract: A continuous carbonylation process for high turnover carbonylation, and a carbonylation reaction medium and product stream thereof. The process comprises carbonylating an ethlenically unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a source of hydroxyl groups and a catalyst system. The catalyst system comprising: (a) a bidentate phosphine, arsine or stibine ligand; and (b) a catalytic metal selected from a group VIB or group VIIIB metal or a compound thereof. The catalytically active concentration of said catalytic metal, measured as the ACCF (product Kg·hr?1·Dm?3), is maintained at less than 0.5.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds including vinyl esters and a process for the production of 3-hydroxy propanoate esters or acids. The process comprises reacting said compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a source of hydroxyl groups and of a catalyst system. The catalyst system is obtainable by combining: (a) a metal of Group 8, 9 or 10 or a compound thereof: and (b) a bidentate ligand of general formula (I): X1(X2)-Q2-A-R—B-Q1-X3(X4).

Abstract: A liquid-phase chemical reaction medium comprises one or more reactants, optionally in the presence of a reaction product(s) and one or more solvents, diluents or other form of liquid carrier, a catalyst system comprising at least a metal or metal compound and optionally further compounds such as ligands or complexing agents; characterized in that the reaction medium further comprises a polymeric dispersant dissolved in said liquid carrier, said polymeric dispersant being capable of stabilizing a colloidal suspension of particles of said metal or metal compound within the liquid carrier. The presence of the polymeric dispersant enables metal formed by catalyst deactivation to be more easily recovered and recycled. Preferably, the polymeric dispersant has sufficiently acidic or basic functionality to stabilize the colloidal suspension of said metal or metal compound.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a compound of general formula (R3—C)2P—L1—X—L2—P—(C—R3)2, in which each R is independently a pendant, optionally substituted, organic group through which the group is linked to tertiary carbon atom C; L1, L2 are independently a linking group selected from an optionally substituted lower alkylene chain connecting the respective phosphorus atom to the group X and X is a bridging group comprising an optionally substituted aryl moiety to which the phosphorus atoms are linked on available adjacent carbon atoms, comprises: i) reacting together a compound of formula H—L1—X—L2—H with an organometallic compound to form an intermediate compound of formula M—L1—X—L2—M, where M is an alkali metal atom; ii) reacting said intermediate compound with a compound of formula (R3—C)2P—A, where A is a halogen atom, to form said compound of general formula (R3—C)2P—L1—X—L2—P&

Abstract: A catalyst system capable of catalyzing the carbonylation of ethylene and a process which uses such a system wherein the catalyst system is obtainable by combining a metal of Group VIII, e.g., palladium, or a compound thereof and a bidentate phosphine, e.g. bis(di-t-butyl phospino)-o-xylene, according to the equation C2H4+CO+ROH→C2H5CO2R,.

Abstract: A method of preparing a compound (I) of general formula (R3—C)2P—L1—X—L2—P—(C—R3)2, in which R is independently a pendant, optionally substituted, organic group through which the group is linked to tertiary carbon atoms C; L1 and L2 are independently, a linking group selected from an optionally substituted lower alkylene chain connecting the respective phosphorous atom to the group X, and X is a bridging group comprising an optionally substituted aryl moiety to which the phosphorous atoms are linked on available adjacent carbon atoms; comprising: (i) reacting together a compound (II) of formula A—L1—X—L2—A, in which A is a halogen atom, with a metal M in a suitable solvent or form an intermediate compound (III) of formula: A—M—L1—X—L2—M—A; (ii) reacting said intermediate compound (III) with a compound (IV) of formula: (R3—C)2P—A1, wherein A1 is a halogen atom which may be the same as or different