Abstract: To separate and recover rhodium, the distillation residues of oxo synthesis products are initially treated with an oxidant. Then the reaction mixture is reacted, in the presence of carbon monoxide (or a compound which splits off carbon monoxide), with an aqueous solution of a reagent forming a water-soluble complex compound with rhodium. The reaction mixture breaks into an organic phase and an aqueous phase, the complex goes to the aqueous phase as it is substantially insoluble in the organic phase.

Abstract: A process for recovering rhodium from an aqueous solution containing its complex compounds and optionally complex ligands in the presence of a water-soluble salt of a carboxylic acid by treatment of the aqueous solution at 20.degree. to 120.degree. C. with hydrogen peroxide (or a substance forming hydrogen peroxide) and with oxygen (or an oxygen-containing gas). The rhodium is then removed as a water-insoluble compound.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of rhodium from aqueous solutions of rhodium complex carbon atoms comprising adding a molar excess of a water-soluble salt of an organic carboxylic acid of 7 to 22 carbon atoms to an aqueous solution of a rhodium complex compound, treating the solution with an oxidant at 50.degree. to 200.degree. C. and recovering the rhodium as a water-insoluble compound.

Abstract: Novel copolymers of ethylene containing per 100 parts by weight ethylene 0.2 to 5.0 parts by weight of 2,4,4-trimethylpentene-(1) and optionally 2.0 to 20 parts by weight of vinyl ester or vinyl ether or ester of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with alcohols of 1 to 8 carbon atoms having a melt index MFI (190/2.16) of 0.4 to 20 g/10 min. a density of 0.915 to 0.960 g/ml and an impact tensile strength of 850 to 2,600 mJ/mm.sup.2 and a process for their preparation useful for making transparent films.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of aldehydes by the reaction of olefinic compounds with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system containing rhodium and aromatic phosphines. The aromatic phosphines are soluble in organic media and represent salts of sulfonated or carboxylated triarylphosphines which are insoluble in water. After hydroformylation, the reaction product is treated with a diluted aqueous solution of a base and the aqueous phase containing rhodium and aromatic phosphines is separated. Thus, thermal loading of the catalyst, for example by the redistillation of the reaction product, is avoided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of nonadecanediols by the hydroformylation of oleyl alcohol. Rhodium and salts of sulfonated or carboxylated triarylphosphines, which are soluble in organic media and insoluble in water, are used as hydroformylation catalysts. The hydroformylation product is then treated with a diluted solution of a base dissolved in water, the aqueous phase separated and the hydroformylation product treated with hydrogen at elevated temperature in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the purification of salts of at least one member of the group consisting of diphenylphosphine-phenyl-m-sulfonic acid, phenylphosphine-di-(m-phenylsulfonic acid) and triphenylphosphine-tri-(m-sulfonic acid) from aqueous solutions thereof comprising adding at least a molar equivalent amount of at least one member of the group consisting of di-(n-pentyl)-amine, di-(n-hexyl)-amine and water-soluble salts of said amines to an aqueous solution containing at least one member of the group consisting diphenylphosphine-phenyl-m-sulfonic acid, phenylphosphine-di-(m-phenylsulfonic acid), triphenylphosphine-tri(m-sulfonic acid) and salts thereof to adjust the pH value to .ltoreq.7, recovering the precipitate, washing the precipitate and dissolving the same in an aqueous basic solution.

Abstract: To recover a hydroformylation catalyst system containing rhodium and phosphine, the aqueous solution containing the catalyst system is mixed with acid and then extracted with an amine which is dissolved in an organic solvent. The organic phase is separated and treated with the aqueous solution of an inorganic base, thereby recovering the catalyst in essentially pure form as an aqueous solution.

Abstract: An improvement in the process for the continuous manufacture of an aldehyde by reaction of an olefin with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a rhodium catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure followed by distillative separation of the non-converted feedstocks and low boiling components of the reaction mixture, the improvement residing in employing a carbon monoxide/hydrogen mixture containing 2-20 ppm sulfur and recycling residual rhodium compounds, both dissolved and suspended in the distillation residue, to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for the isolation of n-aldehyde from a mixture of n-aldehyde and i-aldehyde in a solvent by the addition of no more than a stoichiometric amount of an alkali metal hydrogen sulfite in aqueous solution to the mixture. The resulting precipitate is separated, washed, and later decomposed to yield substantially pure n-aldehyde.