Abstract: Olefin polymerisation uses catalysts based in pi-arene complexes of lanthanide metals in particular such catalysts supported on hydrophobic or hydroxylic surfaces particularly of alumina or silica halide surfaces particularly magnesium chloride. Such catalysts will polymerise ethylene and also propylene to give a largely isotactic polymer without using an electron donor to enhance stereo regularity. They also do not require co-catalysts to activate polymeriscation.

Abstract: A process for the production of ethylene glycol, methanol, ethanol and/or esters thereof from mixtures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthesis gas) which comprises contacting a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with a catalyst at elevated pressure in a liquid medium, said catalyst comprising ruthenium and at least one other metal from Group VIII of the Periodic Table, and wherein the molar proportion of ruthenium is at least 50 percent relative to the other Group VIII metals. The process is particularly applicable to the selective production of ethylene glycol. The preferred catalysts, which comprise ruthenium/rhodium, may be present in elemental form, as coordination compounds or salts, e.g. carbonyls, acetyl acetonates or carboxylates. It is especially preferred to use a co-catalyst comprising a compound of one or more the metals of Groups IA, IIA or IIB or a nitrogen containing cation and/or base. Suitable liquid media include carboxylic acids (e.g. acetic acid) and ethers (e.g. tetraglyme).

Abstract: A method for the selective, direct preparation of ethanol which comprises contacting a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen at a temperature of from 100.degree. to 400.degree. C. and at a pressure of from 50 to 1000 bars with a catalyst comprising ruthenium and at least one other metal selected from Groups VII and VIII of the Periodic Table and a source of halide ions in a liquid medium comprising an aprotic amide or imide or an aprotic heterocyclic compound containing an --OCO-- grouping in the ring.

Abstract: Supported ruthenium metal catalysts prepared by reduction of carbonyl compounds give improved yields of methane in the hydro-cracking of hydrocarbons, especially alkanes and alkyl aromatics. Alkanes may be cracked to methane at low temperature (200.degree.-300.degree. C.) and the de-alkylation of alkyl benzenes may be controlled sufficiently to allow removal of isomers e.g. ethylbenzene from xylenes. The novel catalysts comprise ruthenium clusters having average dimensions below 20 A.