Abstract: A process for the preparation of aldehydes by hydroformylation of olefins in the presence of an aqueous solution containing rhodium as a catalyst. The aqueous solution preferably contains rhodium in a concentration of 450 to 800 weight-ppm and sulfonated or carboxylated triarylphosphines as complex ligands in a concentration of 25 to 30% by weight, both based on the aqueous solution.

Abstract: In a hydroformylation process for the preparation of aldehydes by reacting aliphatic olefins of 2 to 12 carbon atoms with carbon monoxide and hydrogen at temperatures of 20.degree. to 150.degree. C. and pressures of 0.1 to 20 mPa in the liquid phase and in the presence of an aqueous solution of a catalyst containing originally 50 to 800 wt. ppm of rhodium and 25 to 30 wt. % of complex-forming, sulfonated or carboxylated triarylphosphines, in each case based on the aqueous solution, the improvement comprising adding fresh phosphine solution to maintain the original phosphine concentration, until the total concentration of complex-forming phosphines and secondary and degradation products of the phosphines not capable of forming complexes amounts to about 35 to 45 wt. % based on the aqueous solution to selectively form n-aldehydes.

Abstract: A process for removing organic components from the waste water effluent obtained in the production of an ester plasticizer through esterification of a polybasic aliphatic or aromatic carboxylic acid with an aliphatic alcohol in the presence of a sulfuric acid catalyst, which waste water contains an alkyl hydrogen sulfate or a dialkyl sulfate, esterification reactants and esterification products, which comprises:A. heating said waste water to a temperature above 200.degree. C under the particular prevailing pressure; andB. thereafter thermally or mechanically removing an organic phase from an aqueous phase.

Abstract: In an oxo process, a gas mixture of approximately equal amounts of hydrogen and carbon monoxide for re-use in the process is made by catalytically cracking the "thick oil" residue from the oxo step at elevated temperatures in presence of water vapor and carbon dioxide over a supported metal catalyst.

Abstract: Isobutyraldehyde is cleaved to form propylene, carbon monoxide and hydrogen over a supported rhodium and/or platinum catalyst at a temperature of 200.degree. to 400.degree. C and a pressure of 0.1 to 20 atmospheres. Preferably the isobutyraldehyde is obtained from the oxo synthesis of n-butyraldehyde from propylene and the gases resulting from the cleavage are returned to the oxo synthesis step.