Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of a mixture of alcohols and ketones by the liquid phase oxidation of higher alkanes using a catalyst system consisting of transition group metal such as palladium and support such as alumina, silica, carbon, preferably carbon in the presence of alkyl hydroperoxide as oxygen carrier, under stirring conditions at a temperature range of 10°–120° C. and at atmospheric pressure in a stirred glass reactor for a period of 1–30 h. The present invention produces a mixture of alcohols and ketones with high selectivity (preferably 60–90%) along with other byproducts such as diketones and acids.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of organic compounds using water soluble catalyst in a biphasic media by: (A) forming an organo-water dispersion of (i) an organic phase having (a) an organic compound and (b) an organic solvent, and (ii) an aqueous phase having a water soluble group VIII metal catalyst composition and a water soluble ligand; and (B) contacting said dispersion with hydrogen to provide an interfacial reaction between said organic compound and said hydrogen, giving significant enhancement in the rate of reaction to produce saturated organic compound as compared to a reaction carried out in the absence of said water immiscible ligand.