Abstract: Dendrimers were directly and covalently attached to solid supports via siloxy bonds. After complexation with transition metals, the dendrimers were used as catalysts. The supported dendrimers were stable and easily separated from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing (3S,4R)-4-[(R)-1′-formylethyl]azetidin-2-one derivatives represented by formula (3) wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a protective group, through asymmetric hydroformylation of 4-vinylazetidin-2-one represented by formula (1) wherein R1 has the same meaning as described above; in the presence of a rhodium complex and a (2S,4S)-diphosphine compound represented by formula (2) wherein R2 represents a phenyl group which may be substituted with 1-5 substituent(s) selected from a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, and a halogen atom. By use of both an inexpensive optically active diphosphine compound and a rhodium complex as catalysts, intermediate compounds important for carbapenem antibiotics can be manufactured with high selectivity and efficiency.

Abstract: Urethanes are converted to isocyanates by reaction with a chloro-, bromo- or iodo-borane compound and a tertiary amine in a nonpolar solvent. With the preferred borane compound, chlorocatecholborane, the reaction goes speedily and under gentle conditions to give the isocyanate in good yield. Also formed is a borate which can be readily converted to the borane compound, for reuse.

Abstract: Thioesters of the formula RCOSR are produced from a mercaptan of the formula RSH wherein R is a benzylic, aromatic or aliphatic moiety by reacting the mercaptan with carbon monoxide in the presence of a polyunsaturated olefinic hydrocarbon and as catalyst a metal component selected from iron, cobalt, nickel, molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium and iridium, the metal component being in free or combined form.

Abstract: Benzylic and aromatic mercaptans are desulphurized by contacting the mercaptan with carbon monoxide at elevated temperatures in the presence of an aqueous hydrocarbon and a cobalt carbonyl catalyst.

Abstract: Carbamate esters are produced by reacting at ambient or elevated temperature an amine with carbon monoxide and an alcohol in the presence of a protonic acid, a dehydrating agent, for example a molecular sieve, and a catalyst comprising (a) at least one metal selected from the group palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and cobalt, and (b) at least one of the metals copper, molybdenum and iron, the components (a) and (b) being in the form of elemental metals or compounds thereof. The presence of the dehydrating agent reduces the formation of by-product carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Carboxylic acid esters are produced by reacting an unsaturated hydrocarbon, for example an olefin or an alkyne, with carbon monoxide and an alcohol in the presence of a protonic acid and as catalyst (a) at least one of the metals palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and cobalt, and (b) copper. In a modification of the invention carboxylic acids are produced by omitting the alcohol reactant and replacing it with water in an amount up to 8 mole equivalents based on the unsaturated hydrocarbon and a solvent other than an alochol, for example tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: Carboxylic acid esters are produced by reacting an olefinic hydrocarbon with an ester of formic acid in the presence of both carbon monoxide and oxygen at a temperature of up to 200.degree. and a pressure of up to 300 bar in the presence of water, typically in an amount of from 0.01 to 5% w/w, a source of protons, which is preferably a mineral acid or a tectometallosilicate in the hydrogen form, and as catalyst (a) a source of palladium, and (b) a source of copper.

Abstract: Carboxylic acids and/or esters thereof are produced by reacting either a benzylic or an aromatic mercaptan with carbon monoxide and either water or an aqueous alcohol at elevated temperature, suitably in the range from 100.degree. to 300.degree. C., in the presence as catalyst of a cobalt carbonyl, the product using water as the reactant being a carboxylic acid and using aqueous alcohol as the reactant a carboxylic acid ester, mixtures of acids and esters being formed using aqueous alcohols having high water concentrations.

Abstract: Carboxylic acid esters are produced by reacting (i) carbon monoxide, (ii) a compound of the formula M(OR).sub.x wherein M is either boron, silicon, aluminum, titanium or zirconium, x is the valency of M and R is a hydrocarbyl group and (iii) a hydrocarbyl halide, wherein the halide moiety is bromide, chloride or iodide, in the presence of a catalyst comprising one or more of the metals rhodium, iridium and cobalt in either elemental or compound form. When M is boron, silicon or aluminum and the halide moiety is chloride, there is preferably added a source of iodide.

Abstract: Lactones are produced by reacting an unsaturated alcohol capable of intramolecular esterification to form a lactone ring with carbon monoxide in the presence of a protonic acid and a catalyst comprising (a) at least one of the metals palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and cobalt, and (b) at least one of the metals copper, molybdenum and iron, the metals (a) and (b) being in the form of either the elemental metal or a compound thereof.

Abstract: Terminal carbon-carbon double bonds of olefinic hydrocarbons are converted to carbonyl groups by reacting the olefin with oxygen in the presence of (a) a catalyst comprising (i) one or more of the metals palladium, rhodium, ruthenium or iridium, and (ii) copper, (b) a diluent comprising two liquid phases, and (c) a surfactant, provided that when the metal is palladium no alkali or alkaline earth metal is present and the surfactant is dodecyltrimethylammonium or cetyltrimethylammonium chloride or bromide.