Abstract: A method for acylating a hexakis (arylmethyl) hexaazaisowurtzitane (WB6) by reductively removing the arylmethyl groups in the presence of an acylating agent, characterized by contacting a WB6 (a) with a heterogeneous system reduction catalyst (b) in the presence of an acylating agent (c) and a reducing agent (d) in a solvent (e) for the WB6 (a) to reductively remove the arylmethyl groups from the WB6 (a) and acylate the same, and by preventing the WB6 (a) and the catalyst (b) from being contacted with each other when at least either of the acylating agent (c) and the reducing agent (d) is not present. In this method, the decomposition of the WB6 skeleton, which readily occurs in the beginning of the acylation of the WB6 as a starting material, can be highly effectively inhibited. This method can hence stably produce a tetraacylhexaazaisowurtzitane derivative in a high yield and is industrially advantageous.

Abstract: A noble metal-supported article which comprises a carrier and a palladium-containing metal component supported on the carrier, which article has (A) a layer in which substantially no palladium is supported in the interior of the carrier and (B) a layer in which palladium is supported in the region from the outer surface to a depth of less than 100 &mgr;m of the carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an acyl group-containing hexaazaisowurtzitane derivative represented by the following formula (1),WA.sub.n H.sub.(6-n) (1)wherein n represents an integer of 4 or 6, each A independently represents an acyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, H represents a hydrogen atom, and W represents a hexavalent hexaazaisowurtzitane residue represented by the following formula (2): ##STR1## which comprises: providing a composition system comprising a mixed solvent of a first solvent and a second solvent respectively having high and low dissolving abilities for the desired compound, wherein the mixed solvent has the desired compound dissolved therein; and removing the first solvent having a high dissolving ability from the composition system to thereby deposit crystals of the desired compound. The desired compound, which is useful as a precursor of high performance explosive additive, i.e.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel catalyst for use in producing a carboxylic ester from an aldehyde, an alcohol and molecular oxygen, which comprises a carrier having supported thereon Pd and Pb in a Pd/Pb atomic ratio (S) of 3/0.7.ltoreq.S.ltoreq.3/1.3, and which exhibits a maximum intensity peak at a diffraction angle (2.theta.) in the range of from 38.55.degree. to 38.70.degree. in a powder X-ray diffraction pattern thereof, wherein the peak is ascribed to the (111) crystal face diffraction of a Pd--Pb intermetallic compound.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing methacrylic acid and methacrolein in one step which comprises subjecting isobutane to catalytic oxidation in the presence of molecular oxygen in the vapor phase, with a catalyst comprising a P and/or As--Mo--V and/or Cu composition containing a heteropoly acid. The catalytic oxidation is performed at a temperature of not greater than 350.degree. C., at which temperature the decomposition of the heteropoly acid is unlikely to occur, preferably at a temperature of not greater than 320.degree. C. By means of this process, methacrylic acid and methacrolein are produced with high productivity and in high yield while maintaining a stable activity of the catalyst for a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A process for purifying a polyalkylene ether, which comprises mixing a polyalkylene ether or a mixture of a polyalkylene ether and an organic solvent containing a heteropoly acid and/or its salt with at least one solvent for purification selected from hydrocarbons having 3 to 15 carbon atoms or halogenated hydrocarbons having 1 to 15 carbon atoms and separating by precipitation the phase composed mainly of the heteropoly acid and/or its salt, and a process wherein the polyalkylene ether or a mixture of a polyalkylene ether and an organic solvent containing a heteropoly acid and/or its salt is brought into contact with a solid adsorbent capable of adsorbing the heteropoly acid and/or its salt in the presence of at least one solvent for purification as described above, either further after the separation according to the process described above, or in the state unseparated.

Abstract: A method for preparing a carboxylic ester by reacting an aldehyde with an alcohol in the presence of oxygen with a catalyst, characterized in that the catalyst is a solid catalyst comprising palladium and bismuth, which may form an intermetallic compound, and which catalyst may comprise an alkali metal compound or an alkaline earth metal compound. The aforesaid catalyst avoids decomposition reactions simultaneously with the desired reaction, and therefore, the desired compound can be obtained in a high yield.

Abstract: Carboxylic amides can be produced simply and in good yield by reacting primary alcohols with at least one compound selected from ammonia, primary amines, and secondary amines, in the presence of a molecular oxygen-containing gas and a palladium or platinum catalyst under oxidative conditions.

Abstract: A carboxylic ester is produced in one step in a high yield and with a high selectivity by reacting an aldehyde with an alcohol in the presence of oxygen by using a catalyst comprising (I) palladium, (II) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of lead compounds, thallium compounds and mercury compounds and (III) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal compounds and alkaline earth metal compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel catalyst for use in producing a carboxylic ester from an aldehyde, an alcohol and molecular oxygen, which comprises a carrier having supported thereon Pd and Pb and a Pd/Pb atomic ratio (S) of 3/0.7≦S≦ from 3/0.7 to 3/1.3, and which exhibits a maximum intensity peak at a diffraction angle (2&thgr;) in the range of from 38.55° to 38.70° in a power X-ray diffraction pattern thereof, wherein the peak is ascribed to the (111) crystal face diffraction of a Pd—Pb intermetallic compound.