Abstract: A process for the preparation of carbonyl compounds by oxidation of alcohols in the gas phase with a gas containing oxygen in the presence of catalysts containing copper and silver.

Abstract: Aldehydes and ketones of the general formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an organic radical of 1 to n carbon atoms and R.sup.2 is a non-aromatic organic radical of 1 to m carbon atoms, (m+n) ranging from 2 to 24 and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 being combinable to form a 4- to 12-membered ring, are prepared in a continuous manner by oxidizing an alcohol of the general formula II ##STR2## with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas at elevated temperatures in the gas phase in the presence of a catalyst, by effecting the oxidation by means of a supported catalyst composed of an inert carrier having a smooth surface and from 0.1 to 20% by weight, based on the amount of carrier, of an active layer of copper, silver and/or gold in a tubular reactor or tube bundle reactor where the internal diameter D of the tube or tubes ranges from 10 to 50 mm and the largest diameter d of the coated supported catalysts is subject to the relationship d=from 0.1 to 0.2 D.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of carbonyl compounds by oxidation of alcohols in the gas phase with a gas containing oxygen in the presence of catalysts containing copper or silver and a phosphorus compound that is volatile under the conditions of the reaction, the ratio of the mass of phosphorus to the mass of the alcohol being less than 0.5 ppm.