Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of a diaryl ester containing only small amounts of the corresponding monoesters comprises reacting a mixture of an aryl diacid, a monohydroxy aromatic compound and a catalyst, cooling, adding a controlled amount of water, and cooling further. Typically, diaryl esters, such as diphenyl isophthalate (DPI), containing only about 1-5% of the monoester, such as monophenyl isophthalate are obtained upon addition to the reaction mixture of approximately 5-15% by weight of water at 60.degree.-80.degree. C., followed by cooling to about 15.degree.-35.degree. C.

Abstract: Lactones, particularly gamma-butyrolactone, are hydrogenated in the vapor phase to glycols over a copper chromite catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of such valuable chemicals as polyhydric alcohols, their ether and ester derivatives, oligomers of such alcohols and monohydric alcohols and their ether and ester derivatives by reacting oxides of carbon and hydrogen in the presence of a quaternary phosphonium cation and a rhodium carbonyl complex.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of such valuable chemicals as polyhydric alcohols, their ether and ester derivatives, oligomers of such alcohols and monohydric alcohols and their ether and ester derivatives by reacting oxides of carbon and hydrogen in the presence of a bis(triorgano phosphine)iminium cation and a rhodium carbonyl complex provided to the reaction as a rhodium carbonyl cluster anion which possesses an infrared spectrum which exhibits three intense wavelength bands between about plus and minus 10 cm.sup.-.sup.1 of about 1868 cm.sup.-.sup.1, about 1838 cm.sup.-.sup.1, and about 1785 cm.sup.-.sup.1 at a pressure of at least about 500 pounds per square inch absolute.