Abstract: A process for the selective hydrogenation of hydrocarbons having three and more carbon atoms and several double bonds or with triple bonds in monoene-containing hydrocarbon mixtures is described. These compounds are selectively hydrogenated to monoenes in a practically quantitative fashion. Before beginning the hydrogenation, a small amount of carbon monoxide and once to twice the stoichiometric quantity of hydrogen are homogeneously dissolved in the hydrocarbon mixture. The mixture is hydrogenated as a homogeneous liquid phase on a fixed palladium catalyst under a moderately high pressure and at a moderately high temperature. No isomerization can be found in the monoenes and no side reactions or secondary reactions occur.

Abstract: In an improved process for the production of carboxylic acid esters by catalytic oxidation of alcohols in the liquid phase, primary alcohols of 1-4 carbon atoms are oxidized with molecular oxygen at temperatures of about 100.degree.-250.degree. C. in the presence of catalytic amounts of a compound of Co, Mn, Cr, or Fe, and an acid having a first dissociation constant K.sub.1 greater than 10.sup.-3, dissolved in the reaction mixture.