Abstract: An acetal is produced at a high yield and a high selectivity by contacting an olefin and an alcohol with each other in the presence of (a) a nitrite, (b) a platinum group metal or the salts thereof and (c) a halide at a high reaction rate without requirement of any troublesome operations for the separation, recovery and regeneration of the catalyst.

Abstract: An acetal is produced at a high yield and a high selectivity by contacting an olefin and an alcohol with each other in the presence of (a) a nitrite, (b) a platinum group metal or the salts thereof and (c) a halide at a high reaction rate without requirement of any troublesome operations for the separation, recovery and regeneration of the catalyst.

Abstract: An acetal is produced at a high yield and a high selectivity by contacting an olefin and an alcohol with each other in the presence of (a) a nitrite, (b) a platinum group metal or the salts thereof and (c) a halide at a high reaction rate without requirement of any troublesome operations for the separation, recovery and regeneration of the catalyst.

Abstract: Uracil or 5-alkyluracil is prepared by a process wherein a 3,3-dialkoxypropionic acid ester of the formula:(R.sup.2 O).sub.2 CHCH(R.sup.1)COOR.sup.3wherein R.sup.1 =H or (C.sub.1-6) alkyl, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are (C.sub.1-8) alkyl or (C.sub.7-9) aralkyl, is reacted with urea in liquid ammonia in the presence of an alkali metal amide, and then, the reaction product is cyclized in the presence of an acid catalyst.

Abstract: A novel process for preparing an ester of cyanoacetic acid which comprises reacting a cyanoacetaldehyde acetal, hydroxylamine and an alcohol.

Abstract: A process for preparing a diester of a dicarboxylic acid having two more carbon atoms than the unsaturated hydrocarbon used as a starting material, which comprises subjecting an unsaturated hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and an ester of nitrous acid to catalytic vapor phase reaction at a temperature of 50.degree. to 200.degree. C. in the presence of a platinum group metal or a salt thereof and a halogen compound.

Abstract: A process for preparing a diester of a dicarboxylic acid having two more carbon atoms than the unsaturated hydrocarbon used as the starting material, which comprises subjecting an unsaturated hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and an alcohol to reaction in the presence of a platinum group metal or a salt thereof; a compound selected from the group consisting of nitric acid, a nitrogen oxide and an ester of nitrous acid; and a halogen compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vapor phase catalytic oxidation process for preparing an aliphatic carboxylic acid ester of a monoaromatic compound having 1 to 2 hydroxymethyl substituents, such as benzyl acetate, p-methylbenzyl acetate, p-xylylenediacetate, benzyl propionate and benzyl butyrate. A gaseous feed comprised of a benzene compound having 1 to 2 methyl substituents, an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and molecular oxygen is contacted with an improved catalyst. The metal ingredients of the catalyst consist essentially of (a) palladium, (b) arsenic and (c) at least one metal selected from alkali metals and alkali earth metals, and the atomic ratio of palladium:arsenic:the alkali or alkali earth metal is 1:0.05-4:0.1-10.

Abstract: A process for preparing a diester of a dicarboxylic acid having two more carbon atoms than the unsaturated hydrocarbon used as a starting material, which comprises subjecting an unsaturated hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and an alcohol to reaction in the presence of a platinum group metal in combination with one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of nitric acid, a nitrogen oxide and an ester of nitrous acid.