Abstract: Esters or carboxylic acids are prepared from olefins containing at least two carbon atoms by reacting the olefin with carbon monoxide in the presence of:(i) a first complex of a selected Lewis acid with the ester or carboxylic acid, whichever is the reaction product recovered;(ii) a second complex of the Lewis acid with an alcohol, if an ester is being prepared, or with water, if a carboxylic acid is being prepared; and(iii) a metal carbonyl compound containing a Group IB transition metal in the first oxidation state; andby recovering the reaction product(s).The preferred olefin is propylene, the preferred ester to be prepared is methylisobutyrate, the preferred metal is copper and the preferred Lewis acid is boron trifluoride.

Abstract: The present invention is an isomerically specific improvement of the oxo process reaction. It comprises the reaction of an olefin with carbon monoxide and water or hydrogen in a basic solution in the presence of a ruthenium carbonyl catalyst to preferentially produce the next higher normal aldehyde, or alcohol.

Abstract: Ethylene glycol is produced by the liquid phase reaction of ethylene, oxygen and water in the presence of a catalyst comprising iodine or an iodine-containing compound and bromine or a bromine-containing compound.