Abstract: Cobalt catalysts whose catalytically active composition comprises from 55 to 98% by weight of cobalt, from 0.2 to 15% by weight of phosphorus, from 0.2 to 15% by weight of manganese and from 0.05 to 5% by weight of alkali metal, calculated as oxide, are prepared by calcining the catalyst composition, reducing it at final temperatures of from 200.degree. to 400.degree. C. in a stream of hydrogen and subsequently surface-oxidizing it by treatment in a stream of air at final temperatures of from 20.degree. to 60.degree. C. and can be used in a process for hydrogenating organic nitriles and/or imines.

Abstract: A process for preparing caprolactam by cyclization of 6-aminocapronitrile in the presence of water at elevated temperature and in the presence or absence of a catalyst and a solvent, comprisesa) removing from the cyclization reaction effluent ("reaction effluent I") caprolactam and all components boiling higher than caprolactam ("high boilers"),b) treating the high boilers of stage a) with phosphoric acid and/or polyphosphoric acid at from 200 to 350.degree. C. to obtain a reaction effluent II, andc) removing caprolactam formed and any 6-aminocapronitrile from reaction effluent II of stage b) to obtain separation from unconverted high boilers and acid used.

Abstract: A process for preparing benzophenone imines of the general formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 to R.sup.6 are hydrogen, C.sub.1 -to C.sub.4 -alkoxy, C.sub.1 -to C.sub.2 -alkylamine or C.sub.2 -to C.sub.4 -dialkylamine, by reacting benzophenones of the general formula II ##STR2## where R.sup.1 to R.sup.6 have the abovementioned meanings, in liquid ammonia in the presence of oxides of the elements boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, scandium, yttrium, titanium, zirconium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum or mixtures thereof at from 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. and from 50 to 350 bar is described.

Abstract: Cobalt catalysts whose catalytically active material comprises from 55 to 98 wt % of cobalt, from 0.2 to 15 wt % of phosphorus, from 0.2 to 15 wt % of manganese, and from 0.2 to 15 wt % of alkali metal, calculated as oxide, in which the catalyst material is calcined in a first step at final temperatures of from 550.degree. to 750.degree. C. and in a second step at final temperatures of from 800.degree. to 1000.degree. C., and a process for the hydrogenation of organic nitriles and/or imines, in which the novel cobalt catalyst is used.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of aminopropionitriles of the general formula I ##STR1## in which R denotes hydrogen or methyl, wherein ammonia is caused to react with an acrylonitrile of the general formula II ##STR2## In which the substituent has the aforementioned meanings, in a molar ratio of from 1:1 to 500:1 over a heterogenic catalyst at temperatures ranging from 40.degree. to 180.degree. C. and pressures ranging from 10 to 350 bar.