Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds represented by the formula I: wherein R1 comprises a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 2 carbon atoms; wherein R2 comprises an alkylene group, an arylene group, or a heterocyclic group; and wherein R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are identical or different and comprise a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or an alkylaryl group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the reductive carbonylation of a low molecular weight alcohol to produce the homologous aldehyde and/or alcohol. The process includes conducting the reaction to produce the aldehyde in the presence of a single component catalyst complex composed of cobalt, an onium cation and iodide in a ratio of 1:2:4 without additional promoters. A ruthenium co-catalyst is used in the production of the homologous alcohol. The reductive carbonylation reaction does not require an additional iodide promoter and produces a crude reductive carbonylation product substantially free of methyl iodide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the reductive carbonylation of a low molecular weight alcohol to produce the homologous aldehyde and/or alcohol. The process includes conducting the reaction to produce the aldehyde in the presence of a catalyst complex composed of cobalt, an onium cation and iodide in a ratio of 1:2:4 with a phosphine ligand. A ruthenium co-catalyst is used in the production of the homologous alcohol. The reductive carbonylation reaction does not require an additional iodide promoter and produces a crude reductive carbonylation product substantially free of methyl iodide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the reductive carbonylation of a low molecular weight alcohol to produce the homologous aldehyde and/or alcohol. The process includes conducting the reaction to produce the aldehyde in the presence of a single component catalyst complex composed of cobalt, an onium cation and iodide in a ratio of 1:2:4 without additional promoters. A ruthenium co-catalyst is used in the production of the homologous alcohol. The reductive carbonylation reaction does not require an additional iodide promoter and produces a crude reductive carbonylation product substantially free of methyl iodide.

Abstract: A liquid phase hydrogenolysis of acetal compounds, such as cyclic acetals and cyclic ketals, is disclosed. The acetal compounds are fed to a reaction zone and reacted in the presence of a noble metal catalyst supported on a carbon or silica support to make hydroxy mono-ether compounds in high selectivity, without the necessity of using acidic co-catalysts such as phosphorus containing acids or stabilizers such as hydroquinone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the reductive carbonylation of a low molecular weight alcohol to produce the homologous aldehyde and/or alcohol. The process includes conducting the reaction to produce the aldehyde in the presence of a single component catalyst complex composed of cobalt, an onium cation and iodide in a ratio of 1:2:4 without additional promoters. A ruthenium co-catalyst is used in the production of the homologous alcohol. The reductive carbonylation reaction does not require an additional iodide promoter and produces a crude reductive carbonylation product substantially free of methyl iodide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the reductive carbonylation of a low molecular weight alcohol to produce the homologous aldehyde and/or alcohol. The process includes conducting the reaction to produce the aldehyde in the presence of a catalyst complex composed of cobalt, an onium cation and iodide in a ratio of 1:2:4 with a phosphine ligand. A ruthenium co-catalyst is used in the production of the homologous alcohol. The reductive carbonylation reaction does not require an additional iodide promoter and produces a crude reductive carbonylation product substantially free of methyl iodide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the reductive carbonylation of a low molecular weight alcohol to produce the homologous aldehyde and/or alcohol. The process includes conducting the reaction to produce the aldehyde in the presence of a single component catalyst complex composed of cobalt, an onium cation and iodide in a ratio of 1:2:4 without additional promoters. A ruthenium co-catalyst is used in the production of the homologous alcohol. The reductive carbonylation reaction does not require an additional iodide promoter and produces a crude reductive carbonylation product substantially free of methyl iodide.

Abstract: Processes are provided for contacting at least one Cn alcohol equivalent having n carbon atoms and at least one Cn+1 alcohol equivalent having (n+1) carbon atoms with a Guerbet catalyst to form a product composition comprising a product compound having the structure: wherein: C is a carbon atom; H is a hydrogen atom; Q is an alcohol or aldehyde group having one carbon; R is a linear alkyl group having n carbon atoms; and T is an alkyl group having (n?1) carbon atoms, except that when n=1, T is methyl.

Abstract: Catalyst composition produced by combining a cobalt-containing precursor in an alkyl alcohol with a phosphine ligand to the solution; and subsequently adding an iodine compound. Reductive carbonylation processes using the catalyst composition to produce aldehydes are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the reductive carbonylation of methanol to produce acetaldehyde. The process includes conducting the reaction to produce acetaldehyde in the presence of a catalyst comprising a complex composed of cobalt, an onium cation and iodide in a ratio of 1:2:4, a phosphine ligand, and a phosphonium iodide. The reductive carbonylation reaction produces a crude reductive carbonylation product substantially free of methyl iodide.

Abstract: A process for making ethylene glycol by feeding reactants including 1,2-dioxygenated organic compounds, an organometallic homogeneous catalyst, and hydrogen to a hydrogenation reactor, reacting at least a portion of the reactants with hydrogen in the presence of the organometallic homogeneous catalyst to produce a reaction product mixture containing ethylene glycol, and passivating the catalyst by contacting the catalyst with a carbon monoxide to thereby suppress the formation of by-product diols other that the ethylene glycol primary product, and suppress the formation of by-product tetrols and by-product glycolaldehyde acetals; and separating at least a portion of the ethylene glycol from the reaction product mixture.

Abstract: A process for making ethylene glycol by feeding reactants including 1,2-dioxygenated organic compounds, an organometallic homogeneous catalyst, and hydrogen to a hydrogenation reactor, reacting at least a portion of the reactants with hydrogen in the presence of the organometallic homogeneous catalyst to produce a reaction product mixture containing ethylene glycol, and passivating the catalyst by contacting the catalyst with a carbon monoxide to thereby suppress the formation of by-product diols other thatn the ethylene glycol primary product, and suppress the formation of by-product tetrols and by-product glycolaldehyde acetals; and separating at least a portion of the ethylene glycol from the reaction product mixture.

Abstract: A liquid phase hydrogenolysis of acetal compounds such as cyclic acetals and cyclic ketals are fed to a reaction zone and reacted in the presence of a noble metal catalyst supported on a carbon or silica support to make hydroxy ether mono-hydrocarbons in high selectivity, without the necessity to use acidic co-catalysts such as phosphorus containing acids or stabilizers such as hydroquinone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process wherein a first olefin selected from certain ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates is reacted with a second olefin reactant to produce an olefin metathesis product. When the first olefin reactant is an optically enriched or enantiomerically pure ?,?-dihydroxyalkene, cross metathesis reactions produce products possessing the same optical purity. The ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylene carbonates may be converted to hydrogenated products, and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates may be decarboxylated to provide the corresponding epoxides. The products of the disclosure may be used as monomers for the preparation of specialty polyesters and as intermediates in the manufacture pharmaceuticals and other chemicals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process wherein a first olefin selected from certain ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates is reacted with a second olefin reactant to produce an olefin metathesis product. When the first olefin reactant is an optically enriched or enantiomerically pure ?,?-dihydroxyalkene, cross metathesis reactions produce products possessing the same optical purity. The ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylene carbonates may be converted to hydrogenated products, and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates may be decarboxylated to provide the corresponding epoxides. The products of the disclosure may be used as monomers for the preparation of specialty polyesters and as intermediates in the manufacture pharmaceuticals and other chemicals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process wherein a first olefin selected from certain &agr;,&bgr;-dihydroxyalkenes and 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates is reacted with a second olefin reactant to produce an olefin metathesis product. When the first olefin reactant is an optically enriched or enantiomerically pure &agr;,&bgr;-dihydroxyalkene, cross metathesis reactions produce products possessing the same optical purity. The &agr;,&bgr;-dihydroxyalkenes and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylene carbonates may be converted to hydrogenated products, and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates may be decarboxylated to provide the corresponding epoxides. The products of the disclosure may be used as monomers for the preparation of specialty polyesters and as intermediates in the manufacture pharmaceuticals and other chemicals.