Abstract: The synthesis of aryl alkyl ethers from methylbenzyl alcohol and, optionally, phenol using a rhenium heptoxide catalyst is disclosed.

Abstract: Dimethyl sebacate is recovered from a reaction mixture containing it in predominant amount and minor amounts of other dimethyl esters of C.sub.10 -dicarboxylic acids by stepwise recrystallization using a solvent selected from the group consisting of acetone, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, alkanols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, aromatic hydrocarbons having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, alkanes and alkenes having 5 to 8 carbon atoms or a mixture of one of those solvents which is miscible with water, and water as recrystallization solvent.

Abstract: A process for producing unsaturated methyl nonadienoate and methyl nonatrienoate monesters useful as precursors for pelargonic acid which comprises contacting, in a reaction inert medium, butadiene and methyl-2,4-pentadienoate in a molar ratio of 2:1 to 10:1 at a temperature of 40.degree. to 120.degree. C. under an inert atmosphere and in the presence of a catalytic amount of a homogeneous palladium (II) complex of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is alkyl, chloroalkyl, bromoalkyl or fluoroalkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or aryl having 6 to 12 carbon atoms; Q is phosphorous or arsenic and R' is alkyl, aminoalkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or aryl or aryloxy having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.The foregoing precursors may subsequently be hydrogenated to methyl pelargonate (methyl nonanoate) and pelargonic acid may then be obtained by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of methyl pelargonate.

Abstract: A process for producing an unsaturated diester useful as a precursor for sebacic acid which comprises contacting, in a reaction inert medium, methyl penta-2,4-dienoate at a temperature of 30 to 150.degree. C. under an inert atmosphere with a catalytic amount of a homogeneous palladium (II) complex of the formula ##STR1## wherein Q is phosphorous or arsenic; R is alkyl, trichloroalkyl, tribromoalkyl or trifluoroalkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or aryl having 6 to 12 carbon atoms and R' is alkyl, aminoalkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or aryl or aryloxy having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.The foregoing precursor may subsequently be hydrogenated to dimethyl sebacate and sebacic acid may then be obtained by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of dimethyl sebacate.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an unsaturated diester having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or aralkyl having 6 carbon atoms in the ring and from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and are each hydrogen, halogen, alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or aryl having 6 carbon atoms in the ring, by reacting carbon monoxide and oxygen with a diolefin having the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are as aforesaid, in the presence of a catalytic amount of a platinum group metal compound, a copper or iron oxidant salt compound, a soluble vanadium salt and a stoichiometric amount of a dehydrating agent. Optionally, an anhydrous-halogen containing acid may be included.Alternatively, a ligand or coordination complex compound of the metal salt compound, and catalytic quantities of an alcohol may be employed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of aromatic urethanes by reacting an aromatic amine, an alcohol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalytic quantity of a copper salt, oxygen and a dehydrating agent is disclosed. The reaction is preferably carried out using a copper halide catalyst and dehydrating agents which combine with water to release the alcohol used in the preparation of the urethane product.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of urethanes by reacting a tertiary amine, an alcohol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalytic quantity of a copper salt, oxygen and a dehydrating agent is disclosed. The reaction is preferably carried out using a copper halide catalyst and dehydrating agents which combine with water to release the alcohol used in the preparation of the urethane product.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an unsaturated monoester having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R' is hydrogen, a halogen or a methyl group, by reacting carbon monoxide, oxygen, and at least a stoichiometric amount of an enol ether, or a 1-alkoxycycloalkene dehydrating agent with a diolefin having the formula ##STR2## wherein R' is as hereinabove described, in the presence of a catalytic amount of a platinum group metal compound and a copper or iron oxidant salt compound.Alternatively, a ligand or coordination complex compound of the metal salt compound and catalytic quantitites of an alcohol may be employed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of aromatic formamides by reacting an aromatic amine with carbon monoxide in the presence of a solvent, a catalytic quantity of a copper salt and oxygen, or an oxygen-containing gaseous mixture. The reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of excess amine, a volatile alcohol solvent, and a copper halide catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an unsaturated monoester having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R' is hydrogen or a methyl group which comprises reacting carbon monoxide and oxygen with a diolefin having the formula ##STR2## wherein R' is as hereinabove described, in the presence of a catalytic amount of a platinum group metal compound, a copper or iron oxidant salt compound and a stoichiometric amount of a dehydrating agent.Alternatively, a ligand or coordination complex compound of the metal salt compound, and catalytic quantities of an alcohol may be employed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of dimethyl adipate by the hydrogenation of dimethyl hex-3-endioate, having the formula CH.sub.3 O.sub.2 CCH.sub.2 CH.dbd.CHCH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 CH.sub.3, derived from the oxidative carbonylation of 1,3-butadiene with a mixture of carbon monoxide and oxygen at a temperature of from 60.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. and pressures of from 15 psig to 5000 psig in the presence of a catalytic mixture of a platinum group metal compound and a copper or iron oxidant salt compound with at least a stoichiometric amount of a dehydrating agent, which comprises subjecting the dimethyl hex-3-endioate to a liquid phase hydrogenation at temperatures of from about ambient to about 150.degree. C. under hydrogen pressures of from about 10 psig to 1000 psig in the presence of an effective amount of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce dimethyl adipate, and recovering the dimethyl adipate.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an unsaturated diester having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an aralkyl group containing 6 carbon atoms in the ring and from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl substituent, and R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 is hydrogen, a halogen, an alkyl group of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group containing 6 carbon atoms in the ring, by reacting carbon monoxide and oxygen with a diolefin having the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 which may be the same or different is as hereinabove described, in the presence of a catalytic amount of a platinum group metal compound, a copper for iron oxidant salt compound and a stoichiometric amount of a dehydrating agent.Alternatively, a ligand or coordination complex compound of the metal salt compound, and catalytic quantities of an alcohol may be employed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an unsaturated diester having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an aralkyl group containing 6 carbon atoms in the ring and from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl substituent and R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 is hydrogen, a halogen, an alkyl group of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group containing 6 carbon atoms in the ring, by reacting carbon monoxide, oxygen, at least a stoichiometric amount of an enol ether or alkoxycycloalkene and at least an equal molar quantity of an alcohol based on the enol ether or alkoxycycloalkene, with a diolefin having the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 which may be the same or different is as hereinabove described, in the presence of a catalytic amount of a platinum group metal compound and a copper or iron oxidant salt compound.Alternatively, a ligand or coordination complex compound of the metal salt compound may be employed as a co-catalyst.