Abstract: A process for transition metal-catalyzed, asymmetric hydrogenation of acrylic acid derivatives of the formula (I) in which R1 is H or an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl radical, R2 is an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl radical, and R3 is H or a C1-C6-alkyl radical, which comprises hydrogenating compounds of the formula (I), optionally in a solvent, in the presence of one or more hydrogen donors, using a catalyst system which comprises a transition metal from the group of ruthenium, rhodium and iridium and a combination of a chiral phosphorus ligand of the formula (II) in which Cn, together with the two oxygen atoms and the phosphorus atom, forms an optionally substituted ring having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and R4 is an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, alkoxy or aryloxy radical or NR5R6 where R5 and R6 may each independently be H or an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl radical, or, together with the nitrogen atom, may form a ring, and an achiral phosph

Abstract: The invention relates to an indenyl compound of the general formulaR'Ind--M--(Cp)Q.sub.kin which the symbols have the following meanings:Ind: an indenyl groupR': a substituent, other than hydrogen, to the Ind group,Cp: a cyclopentadienyl groupM: a transition metal from group 3, 4, 5 or 6 of the Periodic System of ElementsQ: a ligand to Mand k is an integer linked to the valence of M.The invention is characterized in that the R' group is bound to the Ind group at the 2-position. The indenyl compound is a catalyst component for the polymerization of olefins. The invention also relates to polymers obtainable with such indenyl compounds.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a heterocyclic o-dicarboxylic acid containing at least one N atom, in which a corresponding benzo-fused heterocyclic compound containing at least one N atom is oxidised in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, a Bronsted acid and an iron compound.Preferably Fe(NO.sub.3).sub.3 is used as the iron compound and HNO.sub.3 as the Bronsted acid. The amount of iron compound to be used preferably lies between 0.1 and 2 mol. %, relative to the amount of employed benzo-fused heterocyclic compound containing at least one N atom. Even higher yields can be obtained if a copper compound or an organic electron-transferring compound is also used, in addition to the iron compound.In particular, the process according to the invention can be used to prepare 2,3-pyridine dicarboxylic acids from corresponding quinoline compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bidentate phosphine ligand, the phosphorus atoms of the phosphine being connected via a bridge group, the bridge group of the bidentate phosphine ligand consisting of an ortho-anellated annular system, comprising two aryl groups, which aryl groups are connected by two bridges, the first bridge consisting of an --O-- or an --S-- atom and the second bridge being a group that contains an oxygen, sulphur, nitrogen, silicon or carbon atom or a combination of these atoms, the two phosphorus atoms being connected to the two aryl groups of the bridge group at the ortho-position relative to the --O-- or --S-- atom of the first bridge.The invention also relates to the use of this bidentate phosphium ligand in a catalyst system comprising also a transition metal compound which is used in the following type of reactions: hydroformylation hydrogenation, hydrocyanation, polymerization, isomerisation, carboxylation, cross coupling and metathesis.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a linear aldehyde organic compound by hydroformylation (b) starting from an internally unsaturated functionalised organic compound whereby first (a) a portion of the internally unsaturated functionalized organic compound is isomerized to a terminally unsaturated functionalised organic compound in the presence of a suitable isomerization catalyst, wherein following the isomerization step (a), the hydroformylation (b) is effected in the presence of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and a catalyst which preferentially catalyzes the hydroformylation reaction of the terminally unsaturated functionalised organic compound to the linear aldehyde organic compound, the internally unsaturated functionalised organic compound remaining practically unhydroformylated, whereupon (c) the linear aldhyde organic compound is separated out of the mixture and (d) the remainder of the unsaturated functionalised organic compound-containing mixture is recirculated to the isomerization step (a).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 5-formylvaleric acid or the corresponding 5-formylvalerate by hydroformylation of 3-pentenoic acid or 3-pentenoate ester with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising of rhodium and a phosphite ligand, wherein the phosphite ligand is represented by the following general formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different aromatic organic groups and where A is an n-valent group or atom and where n is an integer chosen upwards of 2 and where the respective ?--O--P(OR.sup.1)(OR.sup.2)! group may be the same group or different groups and where the phosphite forms a chelate-type complex with rhodium.

Abstract: The invention relates to an indenyl compound of the general formulaR'Ind--M--(Cp)Q.sub.kin which the symbols have the following meanings:Ind: an indenyl groupR': a substituent, other than hydrogen, to the Ind group,Cp: a cyclopentadienyl groupM: a transition metal from group 3, 4, 5 or 6 of the Periodic System of ElementsQ: a ligand to Mand k is an integer linked to the valence of M.The invention is characterized in that the R' group is bound to the Ind group at the 2-position. The indenyl compound is a catalyst component for the polymerization of olefins.The invention also relates to polymers obtainable with such indenyl compounds.