Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an organophosphine ligand comprising a phosphabicyclohydrocarbyl group in which the phosphorus atom is further substituted with a hydrocarbyl or heterohydrocarbyl moiety containing at least one branch at the ?-carbon position. The present invention also provides a catalytic composition for the hydroformylation of an ethylenically unsaturated compound, said catalytic composition comprising i) a source of Group VIII metal cations; and ii) the above ligand. Furthermore, the present invention also provides a process for the hydroformylation of an ethylenically unsaturated compound, said process comprising contacting the ethylenically unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence the above catalytic composition.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an organophosphine ligand comprising a phosphabicyclohydrocarbyl group in which the phosphorus atom is further substituted with a hydrocarbyl or heterohydrocarbyl moiety containing at least one branch at the ?-carbon position. The present invention also provides a catalytic composition for the hydroformylation of an ethylenically unsaturated compound, said catalytic composition comprising i) a source of Group VIII metal cations; and ii) the above ligand. Furthermore, the present invention also provides a process for the hydroformylation of an ethylenically unsaturated compound, said process comprising contacting the ethylenically unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence the above catalytic composition.

Abstract: A branched ester composition obtainable by the reaction of a carboxylic acid with a branched alcohol composition under esterification reaction conditions wherein the branched alcohol composition has from about 8 to about 36 carbon atoms and an average number of branches per molecule of from about 0.7 to about 3.0, said branching comprising methyl and ethyl branches. The present invention further relates to personal care compositions for topical application to the skin or hair comprising said branched ester composition. The branched ester composition of the invention provides improved formulation flexibility.

Abstract: A catalyst system comprising: (a) one or more bisarylimino pyridine iron or cobalt catalysts; (b) a first co-catalyst compound which is selected from aluminium alkyls, aluminoxanes, and mixtures thereof; and (c) a second co-catalyst compound which comprises one or more compounds of the formula ZnR?2 wherein each R?, which may be the same or different, is selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C1–C20 hydrocarbyl, phenyl, Cl, Br, I, SR?, NR?2, OH, OR?, CN, NC wherein R?, which within the same molecule may the same or different, is C1–C20 hydrocarbyl.

Abstract: A catalyst system comprising:

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of linear, substantially gel free, high cis 1,4 poly(butadiene) comprising polymerization in the presence of (a) a catalyst comprising at least one cobalt compound, at least one organoaluminium compound, and water, and (b) a cycloalkane as main solvent component, and (c) at least one substituted benzene as polymerization regulator of the general formula ##STR1## wherein n is an integer in the range of from 3 to 5, and wherein each R represents a lower alkoxy group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.