Abstract: 6-Aminocaproic acid is prepared by(a) reacting a 5-formylvaleric acid ester with water in the presence of an acid agent at 30.degree.-200.degree. C. and(b) reacting the 5-formylvaleric acid thus obtained with excess ammonia and hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst and of a solvent which is inert under the reaction conditions at 50.degree.-150.degree. C. under superatmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Acrylates or methacrylates I ##STR1## (A and B=C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 -alkylene, R.sup.1 =H, CH.sub.3) are prepared by reacting an acrylate or methacrylate II ##STR2## (R.sup.2 =C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl) with a heterocycle III ##STR3## in the presence of titanium alcoholates chelate compounds of the metals titanium, zirconium, iron and zinc with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds.

Abstract: In an improved process for preparing caprolactam by heating 6-aminocaproic acid, an ester or amide or mixture thereof in the presence of an inert reaction medium which is liquid under the reaction conditions and has a boiling point above that of caprolactam, the improvement comprises using as the reaction medium a hydrocarbon, maintaining a temperature of from 150.degree. to 350.degree. C., charging the 6-aminocaproic acid, ester, amide or mixture thereof at a rate commensurate with their rate of conversion, and separating caprolactam from the reaction mixture at a rate commensurate with its rate of formation.

Abstract: In an improved process for the preparation of 6-aminocaproates by reacting a 5-formylvalerate with ammonia and hydrogen using an alkanol as a solvent in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst at elevated temperatures and under superatmospheric pressure, the improvement comprises carrying out the reaction at from 40.degree. to 95.degree. C.

Abstract: Caprolactam is prepared by a process in which(a) the 5-formylvalerate is reacted with excess ammonia and hydrogen in the presence of an alkanol as the solvent and in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under superatmospheric pressure in the liquid phase at from 40.degree. to 130.degree. C.,(b) excess ammonia and hydrogen are separated off from the reaction mixture,(c) the resulting reaction mixture is reacted with water at elevated temperatures with simultaneous removal of alkanols, and(d) the reaction mixture thus obtained is heated to 150.degree.-370.degree. C. and .epsilon.-caprolactam is obtained.

Abstract: .epsilon.-caprolactam is prepared by a process in which(a) a 5-formylvalerate is reacted with water in the presence of an acidic agent at from 30.degree. to 200.degree. C.,(b) the 5-formylvaleric acid thus obtained is reacted with excess ammonia and hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst and of a solvent which is inert under the reaction conditions, at from 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. under superatmospheric pressure, and(c) after the ammonia has been separated off, the resulting solution of 6-aminocaproic acid is heated to 150.degree.-370.degree. C. and the caprolactam formed is isolated.

Abstract: Caprolactam is prepared by a process in which(a) a 5-formylvalerate is reacted with excess ammonia and hydrogen in the presence of an alkanol as a solvent and in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under superatmospheric pressure in the liquid phase at from 40.degree. to 130.degree. C.,(b) excess ammonia and hydrogen are separated off from the reaction mixture and(c) the reaction mixture thus obtained is heated to 150.degree.-250.degree. C. and .epsilon.-caprolactam is obtained.

Abstract: Ethylene cyanohydrin (Ia) and its ethersR--O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CN Ib(where R is an organic radical) are prepared jointly by reacting an alcohol R--OH (II) with 2,2'-dicyanodiethyl ether (III) in the presence of a base.

Abstract: 1-Alkenyl isocyanates are prepared by reacting aldehydes with carbamates to give N-(1-alkenyl)-carbamates and splitting these compounds at elevated temperatures. The 1,2-unsaturated isocyanates obtained are valuable starting materials for the preparation of pest control agents, dyes, drugs, textile water repellents, detergents, plastics, bleaches and adhesives, since they possess an activated double bond or an activated .alpha.-carbon atom, in addition to a reactive isocyanate group.

Abstract: .alpha.,.beta.-Unsaturated nitriles are prepared by reacting an aldehyde with formamide in the presence of an acid and the presence or absence of a non-aromatic solvent to give an N-alkenyl-formamide, which is then passed, in the gas phase, over a dehydration catalyst at an elevated temperature.The nitriles obtainable by the process of the invention are valuable starting materials for the preparation of dyes, crop protection agents, plasticizers and drugs.