Abstract: The invention is a vapor phase process for the preparation of an a-substituted acrylate ester which comprises contacting a haloalkene, wherein the halogen is substituted on an olefinic carbon atom which is further substituted with a C.sub.1-10 alkyl, C.sub.3-10 cycloalkyl, C.sub.6-10 aryl, C.sub.7-10 alkaryl, C.sub.7-10 aralkyl, cyano, trihalomethyl group, with an alcohol or an ether, and carbon monoxide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst which comprises palladium, platinum, nickel, ruthenium or rhodium, on a support, under conditions such that an a-substituted acrylate ester and a hydrocarbyl halide is prepared wherein the catalyst productivity is 0.06 g of product per gram of catalyst per hour or greater.

Abstract: The vapor phase reaction of phenolic compounds with organic halides to form aromatic ethers is catalyzed by metal oxides. The halide value of the organic halide is retained as hydrogen halide which can be reacted with a halide acceptor such as methanol to form methyl halide and water.

Abstract: The invention is a process for preparing .alpha.-unsaturated carboxylic esters or amides comprising contacting a 1,2-dihaloalkane, an alcohol or amine, and carbon monoxide, in the presence of a catalytic amount of a group VIII metal at elevated temperatures and pressures. The invention further includes preventing the .alpha.-unsaturated carboxylic esters or amides prepared by the addition of a free radical inhibitor capable of improving catalyst lifetime to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A vapor-phase process for preparing aniline or a substituted aniline, the process comprising contacting vaporous benzamide or a vaporous substituted benzamide with a metal catalyst, is improved by using rhodium as the metal catalyst.