Abstract: A supported gold catalyst is used for selective oxidation. In particular, an alcohol or ketone is oxidized to produce the corresponding carboxylic acid, an alcohol is oxidized to produce the corresponding ketone, and xylene is oxidized to produce the corresponding mono-alcohol or di-alcohol.

Abstract: An improved catalytic process for decomposing alkyl or aromatic hydroperoxides is disclosed which utilizes a caalytic amount of a heterogeneous Au catalyst that has been treated with an organosilicon reagent.

Abstract: A composition and a process for using the composition in hydroformylation of unsaturated organic compounds are disclosed. The composition comprises a Group VIII metal and a phosphite-containing polymer having repeat units derived from (1) a carbonyl compound, a monomer, and phosphochloridite; (2) phosphorus trichloride, a polyhydric alcohol, and an aromatic diol; or (3) combinations of (1) and (2). The process comprises contacting an unsaturated compound, in the presence of the composition disclosed herein, with a fluid comprising hydrogen.

Abstract: A catalyzed vapor phase process for the hydrocyanation of acyclic diolefinic compounds to olefinic nitriles is described in which the olefinic double bond is not conjugated to the triple bond of the cyano group, wherein a catalyst composition comprising supported copper salts is used.

Abstract: A catalyzed vapor phase process for the hydrocyanation of acyclic diolefinic compounds to olefinic nitriles is described in which the olefinic double bond is not conjugated to the triple bond of the cyano group, wherein a catalyst composition comprising supported copper salts is used.

Abstract: A composition and a process for using the composition in hydroformylation of unsaturated organic compounds are disclosed. The composition comprises a Group VIII metal and a phosphite-containing polymer having repeat units derived from (1) a carbonyl compound, a monomer, and phosphochloridite; (2) phosphorus trichloride, a polyhydric alcohol, and an aromatic diol; or (3) combinations of (1) and (2). The process comprises contacting an unsaturated compound, in the presence of the composition disclosed herein, with a fluid comprising hydrogen.

Abstract: Supported bis(phosphorus) ligands are disclosed for use in hydroformylation reactions, including the hydroformylation of olefins. Catalysts are formed when the ligands are complexed with a catalytically active metal (e.g., rhodium or iridium).

Abstract: An improved process for decomposing alkyl or aromatic hydroperoxides to form a decomposition reaction mixture containing the corresponding alcohol and ketone. The improvement relates to decomposing the hydroperoxide by contacting the hydroperoxide with a catalytic amount of a heterogenous catalyst of Au, Ag, Cu or a sol-gel compound containing particular combinations of Fe, Ni, Cr, Co, Zr, Ta, Si, Mg, Nb, Al and Ti wherein certain of those metals have been combined with an oxide, such as an inorganic matrix of hydroxides or oxides, or combinations thereof. The catalysts may also optionally be supported on a suitable support member and used in the presence of an additional metal.

Abstract: Supported bis(phosphorus) ligands are disclosed for use in hydroformylation reactions, including the hydroformylation of olefins. Catalysts are formed when the ligands are complexed with a catalytically active metal (e.g., rhodium or iridium).

Abstract: An improved process for decomposing alkyl or aromatic hydroperoxides to form a decomposition reaction mixture containing the corresponding alcohol and ketone. The improvement relates to decomposing the hydroperoxide by contacting the hydroperoxide with a catalytic amount of a heterogeneous catalyst of Nb or Hf hydroxide or oxide. The improvement also relates to decomposing a secondary hydroperoxide by contacting the secondary hydroperoxide with a catalytic amount of a heterogeneous catalyst of Zr or Ti hydroxide or oxide. The catalysts may optionally be supported on SiO2, Al2O3, carbon or TiO2.

Abstract: A catalytic process is disclosed for oxidizing cycloalkanes directly to form, in a single step, a mixture containing the corresponding alcohol and ketone. In particular, the invention relates to oxidizing a cycloalkane by contacting it with a source of oxygen and a catalytic amount of a heterogeneous catalyst. The catalysts of the invention include gold (including gold sol-gel compounds) and sol-gel compounds containing particular combinations of Cr, Co, Zr, Ta, Si, Mg, Nb, Al and Ti, wherein certain of those metals have been combined with an oxide, such as an inorganic matrix of hydroxides or oxides, or combinations thereof. The catalysts may also optionally be supported on a suitable support member.

Abstract: Supported bis(phosphorus) ligands are disclosed for use in a variety of catalytic processes, including the hydrocyanation of unsaturated organic compounds. Catalysts are formed when the ligands are combined with a catalytically active metal (e.g., nickel).