Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of alkyl pentenoates comprises the following steps:a) reaction of a butadiene-containing C.sub.4 cut with an alkanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a cobalt carbonyl catalyst and heterocyclic aromatic tertiary nitrogen base at from 100.degree. to 160.degree. C. and under from 100 to 1,200 bar andb) treatment of the resulting reaction mixture, at the rate at which it is obtained, in a treatment zone, at from 100.degree. to 160.degree. C. under from 250 to 1,200 bar with a residence time of from 5 to 60 minutes, substantially without back-mixing.

Abstract: In a process for the continuous preparation of adipic acid by hydrolysis of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl adipates with water at an elevated temperature in the presence of a strongly acidic ion exchanger, the improvement that the esters and excess water are fed to the middle section of a column, reaction mixture is taken off at a plurality of trays of the column below the feed point, passed over a strongly acidic ion exchanger and recycled, alkanols or alkanol/water mixtures are taken off at the top of the column and an aqueous solution of adipic acid is taken off at the bottom of the column.