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: Mixtures of isomeric decyl alcohols are obtained by hydroformylation of 1-butene- and 2-butene-containing mixtures in two stages to give aldehyde mixtures, condensation of the isolated and combined aldehyde mixtures to form an aldol mixture, and isolation and hydrogenation of the aldol mixture. The mixture of isomeric decyl alcohols, esterified with phthalic acid, gives a mixture of isomeric decyl phthalates which are useful as plasticizers.

Abstract: Recovery of rhodium from the distillation residues from the crude products of oxo synthesis, the residue or the starting material containing the residue is treated with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a monocarboxylic acid with 2 to 5 carbon atoms and of an alkali metal salt of a monocarboxylic acid with 2 to 5 carbon atoms. The rhodium is subsequently extracted with water as a water-soluble compound.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of 5-alkylpyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic esters by reaction of 2-oxosuccinic esters with 2-alkylacrolein oximes.

Abstract: The recovery of rhodium, present as a homogeneous dissolved complex compound especially in residues of products of the oxo process, is carried out in a two-stage process. In the first stage, the residues are treated with a gas-containing oxygen in the presence of a C.sub.2 - to C.sub.4 - monocarboxylic acid and an alkali metal salt of a C.sub.2 - to C.sub.4 -monocarboxylic acid, and are then extracted with water. In the second reaction stage, they are treated again with a gas-containing oxygen, an aldehyde, a C.sub.2 - to C.sub.4 -monocarboxylic acid, and an alkali metal salt of a C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 monocarboxylic acid, and are extracted once more with water.

Abstract: To prepare a mixture of oil-soluble iron and magnesium salts of saturated aliphatic C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 monocarboxylic acids, magnesium oxide is reacted with a C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 monocarboxylic acid in a solution of an iron salt of a saturated C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 monocarboxylic acid. The mixture is used as a combustion auxiliary.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of rhodium from distillation residues of crude products from the oxo synthesis with rhodium complexed with an organic phosphorous III compound comprising treating the said distillation residues with oxygen or an oxygen containing gas in the presence of an alkali metal salt of a monocarboxylic acid of 2 to 5 carbon atoms at 60.degree. to 120.degree. C. at atmospheric or elevated pressure to form a water-soluble rhodium compound and extracting the mixture with water to obtain an aqueous phase containing the water soluble rhodium compound in a very simple manner without any substantial loss of rhodium.

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 preparation of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyric acid from 4-chlorobenzaldehyde by conversion of the benzaldehyde to 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methylpropenal, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methylpropanol, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methylpropene-1, and 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methylbutyraldehyde, and finally to the desired corresponding butyric acid.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diol by an addition reaction between isobutyraldehyde and formaldehyde in the presence of tertiary amines as the catalyst, hydrogenation of the reaction mixture, and subsequent distillation. Before the distillation, formaldehyde is added to the hydrogenation product to remove unwanted basic impurities.

Abstract: A process for the separation of 2-methylalkanals from a mixture thereof with at least one alpha unbranched aldehyde thereof comprising distillation of said mixture in the presence of formaldehyde and an aldolization catalyst whereby the alpha unbranched aldehydes are converted to alpha alkylacrolein and the 2-methylalkanals are recovered in a high purity.

Abstract: Copper is separated from aqueous basic solutions by extraction with 3-hydroxy-2-alkylalkanaloxime or 2-hydroxymethyl-2-alkylalkanaloxime solution.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of 2-methylbutanal from mixtures of isomeric aldehydes having 5 carbon atoms wherein the mixture is distilled in the presence of formaldehyde and an aldolization catalyst. The 2-methylbutanal obtained is useful as an intermediate for the preparation of various useful compounds, including the corresponding alcohol, amine, and acid.

Abstract: Preparation of 2,2-dimethylpropanediol-1,3 by the aldol addition of isobutyraldehyde and formaldehyde using tri-n-propylamine as a catalyst, followed by hydrogenation of the reaction mixture, and subsequent distillation of the hydrogenation product in the presence of isobutanol and water.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of methyl carboxylates by the reaction of mono or dicarboxylic acids having more than 5 carbon atoms and methanol in the presence of acidic catalysts at temperatures from 100.degree. to 150.degree. C. and below the boiling point of the carboxylates being produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to new quaternary ammonium salts of di and trisulfonated triarylphosphines as well as a process for their preparation. The salts are of Formula I ##STR1## wherein Ar.sub.1, Ar.sub.2, and Ar.sub.3 are each independently an aryl; X.sup.1, X.sup.2, and X.sup.3 are each independently a sulfogroup; y.sup.1, y.sup.2, and y.sup.3 are each independently 0 or 1, provided that their sum is at least 1; A is an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aralkyl, or aryl having 6-25 carbon atoms; B, C, and D are straight chain or branched alkyl having 1-4 carbons; and n is a whole number of 1-3.

Abstract: The invention relates to new quaternary ammonium salts of di and trisulfonated triarylphosphines as well as a process for their preparation. The salts are of Formula I ##STR1## wherein Ar.sub.1, Ar.sub.2, and Ar.sub.3 are each independently an aryl; X.sup.1, X.sup.2, and X.sup.3 are each independently a sulfo group; y.sup.1, y.sup.2, and y.sup.3 are each independently 0 or 1, provided that their sum is at least 1; A is an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aralkyl, or aryl having 6-25 carbon atoms; B, C, and D are straight chain or branched alkyl having 1-4 carbons; and n is a whole number of 1-3.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of mono, di or trisulfonated aryl phosphines whereby triaryl phosphine is sulfonated with oleum at 0.degree. to 40.degree. C. After dilution of the reaction product with water, the sulfonated triaryl phosphine is extracted with an amine dissolved in an organic solvent; both the amine and organic solvent being insoluble in water. From the organic phase the sulfonated phosphine is transferred to the aqueous phase by treatment with an aqueous solution of a base.