Abstract: A synthesis experiment automation system is provided with a robot, which transports synthesis reaction containers from a reaction container rack to a dispensing/separation position of a dispensing and separation device, and transports the synthesis reaction containers to a predetermined position in a temperature regulator unit of a reaction device, where a reaction is carried out under previously set experiment conditions; and with a computer, which controls the actions of the robot and the operations of the dispensing and separation device and the reaction device in accordance with a plurality of previously set experiment conditions. Accordingly, the synthesis experiment automation system is capable of simultaneously performing a plurality of different experiments as complex as those usually performed by researchers, and, moreover, has a large number of possible experiment operations, and can easily be improved and/or extended.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing high quality .epsilon.-caprolactam which comprises allowing crude .epsilon.-caprolactam obtained by gas phase Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime to contact with hydrogen at 100.degree.-200.degree. C. in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: In the production of .epsilon.-caprolactam from cyclohexanon oxime in gaseous phase in the presence of solid catalysts, the catalysts, no matter whether they may have worked, are brought into contact with either aqueous solution of ammonium salts and at least one basic material or ammonia water.

Abstract: In the production of .epsilon.-caprolactam from cyclohexanon oxime in gaseous phase in the presence of solid catalysts, the catalysts, no matter whether they may have worked, are brought into contact with either aqueous solution of ammonium salts and at least one basic material or ammonia water.

Abstract: A dimer of a lower .alpha.-olefin is prepared by dimerizing a lower .alpha.-olefin in the presence of a catalyst comprising(A) nickel chloride,(B) a trialkylaluminum(C) at least one phosphorus compound selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulae:PR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 (I)P(NR.sup.1.sub.2).sub.3 (II)andP(OR.sup.1).sub.3 (III)wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and each an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or a phenyl group and(D) 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol,wherein the catalyst has improved activity because of the use of nickel chloride as a nickel component, so that the amounts of expensive trialkylaluminum and hexafluoroisopropanol can be decreased and the cost of the catalyst can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: .epsilon.-caprolactam is prepared by gas phase catalytic synthesis where cyclohexanone oxime is brought into contact with a crystalline zeolite, for example, aluminosilicate zeolite or metallosilicate zeolite having a constraint index of 1-12 which has been surface treated with an organometallic compound represented by the general formula: R.sub.4-n MX.sub.n wherein R which may be identical or different represent an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms or phenyl group, M represnets Si or Ge, X represents Cl or an alkoxy group of 1-6 carbon atoms and n represents 1 or 2.

Abstract: .epsilon.-caprolactam is produced by gas phase catalytic synthesis with high selectivity of lactam wherein cyclohexanone oxime is brought into contact with a crystalline metallo-silicate catalyst having Si/metal atomic ratio is more than 500. The metal moiety in the catalyst is Ga, Fe, B, Zr, Bi, Nb, Zn, Be, Cr, La, Ti, Hf, V and/or Cu.

Abstract: An improved process for dimerizing lower .alpha.-olefins using a novel nickel-containing Ziegler catalyst system including(A) an organic acid salt or complex of nickel,(B) a trialkylaluminum,(C) a trivalent phosphorus compound of the formula:PR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 (I)P(NR.sup.1.sub.2).sub.3 (II)P(OR.sup.1).sub.3 (III)wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 are alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl,(D) a fluorinated isopropanol of the formula: ##STR1## wherein m and n are in 4.ltoreq.m+n.ltoreq.6, and optionally (E) a catalyst co-activator: halogenated compounds of the formulae: ##STR2## wherein X is halogen, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 are alkyl, and n is 1 to 3, and further optionally,(F) a compound selected from aliphatic alcohol and aliphatic carboxylic acid or ester thereof,which yields the dimers with high selectivity of isomers and uniformity of the catalyst without corrosion of the apparatus.

Abstract: 1,1,3,4,4,6-Hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (HMT), which is an intermediate for the production of acetyl HMT valuable in the art of perfumery because of its musk-like odor properties, is produced with industrial advantages by reacting p-cymene with 2,3-dimethylbutene using a catalytic amount of an anhydrous aluminum halide in the presence of at least one member selected from secondary alkyl halides, tertiary alkyl halides, propargyl halides and allyl halides; and 7-acetyl HMT is obtained by acetylation of the above-obtained HMT.

Abstract: A process for isomerization of .alpha.-olefin dimers which comprises dimerizing a lower .alpha.-olefin with a Ziegler type catalyst comprising a nickel compound and an organo-aluminum compound, and then continuing the reaction with addition of at least one compound, prior to deactivation of said catalyst, which is selected from the group consisting of the following organo-halogen compounds of the formulae (I), (II), (III) and (IV), ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 to X.sup.11 are the same or different and are each a halogen or hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and at least one of them in each formula is a halogen atom, R is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and are each a hydrogen or halogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R.sup.4 is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R.sup.5 and R.sup.