Abstract: In the acid-catalyzed etherification of olefins with alcohols, substantially complete recovery of alcohol and catalyst is obtained when small amounts of water (1-10%) are added to the reaction. The addition of water provides a two-phase reaction medium in which olefin and ether are in the upper phase and alcohol and catalyst are in the lower phase. These phase are maintained during the course of the reaction, which continues as a two-phase system.Certain novel ethers produced by this process are likewise disclosed herein.

Abstract: Paraphenylene diacetate is the predominant product when phenylacetate, acetic acid and acetic anhydride are reacted in the presence of palladium and a gas mixture containing an inert gas and no more than 13 vol.% oxygen.

Abstract: In the acid-catalyzed etherification of olefins with alcohols, substantially complete recovery of alcohol and catalyst is obtained when small amounts of water (1-10%) are added to the reaction. The addition of water provides a two-phase reaction medium in which olefin and ether are in the upper phase and alcohol and catalyst are in the lower phase. These phases are maintained during the course of the reaction, which continues as a two-phase system. Certain novel ethers produced by this process are likewise disclosed herein.

Abstract: Equimolar amounts of phenol and formaldehyde may be prepared from oxygen and toluene. The catalytic oxidation of toluene, when carried out in the presence of acetic anhydride, forms phenyl acetate and methylene diacetate. Pyrolysis of these two intermediates yields phenol and formaldehyde.Significant improvements in this process are achieved when the first stage of the reaction is carried out in the presence of MoO.sub.3.In a further embodiment of this invention it has been found that Group VIII dithiosemibenzil compounds, particularly nickel dithiosemibenzil, serves as a superior promoter for the toluene oxidation reaction.In still a further embodiment of this invention it has been found that persulfate promoters such as potassium persulfate, persulfuric acid, or Caro's dry acid are particularly effective promoters for the toluene oxidation reaction.In a like manner, hydroquinone or resorcinol may be obtained from cresyl acetates.

Abstract: The oxidation of methyl benzenes, such as toluene, with air or oxygen in the presence of acetic anhydride and sulfuric acid catalyst to form a phenolic acetate and methylene diacetate may be carried out under mild conditions when small amounts of benzaldehyde are added to the reaction.The resulting acetates may then be pyrolyzed to yield phenolic compounds and formaldehyde, respectively.

Abstract: The oxidation of methyl benzenes with air or oxygen in the presence of acetic anhydride, benzaldehyde and an acid catalyst under mild reaction conditions yields a phenolic acetate and formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde when the ratio of acetic anhydride to methyl benzene is adjusted to provide the selective formation of the phenolic acetate and formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde. In this process, it is essential that the flow of air or oxygen through the reaction medium be maintained at a sufficient rate to provide for the continuous removal of formaldehyde as it is formed. The formaldehyde may then be recovered in the form of paraformaldehyde.

Abstract: Oxidation of methyl benzenes with air or oxygen to form a phenolic acetate and formaldehyde or methylene diacetate may be carried out in the presence of acetic acid, phosphorus pentoxide, benzaldehyde and an acid catalyst. The resulting acetates may then be pyrolyzed to yield phenolic compounds and formaldehyde, respectively.

Abstract: Equimolar amounts of vinyl acetate and phenol may be prepared by oxidation of ethyl benzene. The catalytic oxidation, of ethyl benzene, when carried out in the presence of acetic anhydride, forms phenyl acetate and ethylidene diacetate. Pyrolysis of these two intermediates yields vinyl acetate and phenol.In a further embodiment of this invention it has been found that persulfate promoters such as potassium persulfate, persulfuric acid, or Caro's dry acid are particularly effective promoters for this oxidation reaction.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and 1,3-pentadiene are catalytically codimerized to an olefinic codimer using a three-component homogeneous catalytic system of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, triphenylphosphine and an alkyl aluminum chloride. The codimer, after hydrogenation, has utility as a high energy missile fuel or a diluent for a higher viscous missile fuel.

Abstract: A highly selective, one-step conversion of toluene to benzylidene diacetate is provided by the reaction of toluene with O.sub.2 and acetic anhydride in the presence of an acid catalyst. No metal catalysts are required.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and nobornene are catalytically codimerized to the saturated exo-exo hexacyclic dimer of norbornadiene. Used is a three-component homogeneous catalytic system consisting of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride. Resulting dimer can be used as a component of high energy fuel.

Abstract: Catalytic codimerization of norbornadiene and 1,3-pentadiene yields an olefinic codimer which, after hydrogenation, has utility as a high energy missile fuel or a diluent for a higher viscous missile fuel. Used is a three-component homogeneous catalytic system, consisting of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphina ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride.

Abstract: Acylic or cyclic epoxyalcohols can be prepared by direct oxidation of an olefin when there is employed an ion-exchanged bimetallic catalyst, wherein one metal is from Groups IB or VIII, and the other from Group V.

Abstract: Novel codimers (I) of norbornadiene and phenylacetylenes and their hydrogenated derivatives (II), having the following structures ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen, a phenyl, or a phenyl having alkyl substitutents and R.sub.1 is a phenyl or a phenyl having alkyl substituents and processes for preparing both are disclosed. Codimer (II) can be used as a high energy fuel or a diluent for such a fuel. Process for making codimer (I) involves reacting norbornadiene and phenylacetylene or diphenylacetylene with a catalyst system of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and an alkyne are catalytically codimerized in the presence of a homogeneous catalytic system of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl alluminum chloride. Also, novel codimers of norbornadiene and an alkyne containing at least three carbons are disclosed. After hydrogenation, resulting codimers can be used as high energy fuels or diluents for such fuels.

Abstract: Benzylidene diacetate may be converted to phenyl acetate and methylene diacetate by an acid-catalyzed reaction in the presence of oxygen or air, and acetic anhydride, at elevated temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: Novel codimers (I) of norbornadiene and phenylacetylenes and their hydrogenated derivatives (II), having the following structures ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen, a phenyl, or a phenyl having alkyl substituents and R.sub.1 is a phenyl or a phenyl having alkyl substituents and processes for preparing both are disclosed. Codimer (II) can be used as a high energy fuel or a diluent for such a fuel. Process for making codimer (I) involves reacting norbornadiene and phenylacetylene or diphenylacetylene with a catalyst system of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride.

Abstract: Geometrical isomerization of cyclic epoxy alcohols such as cis- or trans-1,2-epoxy-3-hydroxycyclohexane may be equlibrated by the use of soluble transition metal complexes having the formulaLxM.sup.n Xywherein L is a neutral ligand such as a phosphine, arsine, stibine, amine, olefin, diene, CO or the like, x is an integer of from 0-6 but when x is 2 or more L may be the same or different; M is a Group VIII metal; n is an integer of from 0-3 and denotes the valence state of the metal; X is an anionic ligand such as hydrogen, chloride, bromide, iodide, lower alkyl, trichlorostanato, cyano or the like; y is an integer of from 0-3 which is equal to n but when y is 2 or 3, X may be the same or different. When n is 0, then x equals at least 1, but when either x or y is 0, then the other integer must be at least 1.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and an alkyne are catalytically codimerized in the presence of a homogeneous catalytic system of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride. Also, novel codimers of norbornadiene and an alkyne containing at least three carbons are disclosed. After hydrogenation, resulting codimers can be used as high energy fuels or diluents for such fuels.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and isoprene are catalytically codimerized to an olefinic codimer. Used is a three-component homogeneous catalytic system consisting of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride. The codimer upon hydrogenation forms .beta.-methyltetramethylene nortricyclane having utility as a diluent for a high energy hydrocarbon missile fuel.