Abstract: Process for the catalytic preparation of &ggr;-butyrolactone having the general formula 1

Abstract: A method for the reduction in iodine content in a mixture, particularly in a mixture of carboxylic acids and/or carboxylic anhydrides with alkyl iodides and/or hydriodic acid, comprises contacting the organic medium in the vapor phase at elevated temperature with a metal salt dispersed on activated charcoal. The metal salt may be a carboxylate salt, a carbonate, an oxide, a hydroxide and any other salt, which may react with the organic medium to give a metal carboxylate salt. The metal may be a main group element, a lanthanide, an actinide, zinc and copper. This process converts alkyl iodide compounds converted to their corresponding carboxylate esters, while the iodine is bound in the purification mass as inorganic iodide.

Abstract: Process for the production of a hydrogen rich gas without formation of hydrocarbons comprising water gas shift conversion of a gas containing carbon monoxide and steam at a temperature of between 400° C. and 850° C. in the presence of a catalyst, which catalyst comprises one or more of the elements Mg, Mn, Al, Zr, La, Ce, Pr, and Nd, being able to form basic oxides, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method for generating a solution containing rhodium at a concentration of at least 0.01 M and preferably at least 0.20 M, comprising treating solid rhodium iodide or other solid source of rhodium with a reducing agent selected from a source of hydrazine, hydrazine hydrate, hydrazinium salts, organic derivatives of hydrazine, hypophosphorous acid and salts of hypophosphorous acid.