Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing formoxysilane. A silane of the formula RnSiH4−n, wherein R is an organic or inorganic substituent and n=0, 1, 2 or 3, is converted with carbon dioxide in a solvent in the presence of a catalyst consisting of a compound of a transitional metal pertaining to the subgroup VIIIb of the periodic system. The aim of the invention is to find a catalyst for the method mentioned above. The catalyst should be more simple, easy to produce and thus more cost-effective, easily available in large quantities and being provided with high activity and product selectivity. To this end, a halide of the transitional metal or a compound of the transitional metal are used as catalyst. Said compound is produced by converting a halide of the transitional metal with a nitrile in the presence of the silane of the formula RnSiH4−n.

Abstract: The invention relates to the reaction of 1,3-butadiene and carbon dioxide. The invention aims at providing a catalyst for said reaction, which can be easily recovered and does not contaminate the final product. The invention also relates to a method for producing &dgr;-lactone. According to the invention, a phosphinoalkyl-functionalized polystyrene is used to produce such a catalyst. The catalyst can be obtained by reacting phosphinoalkyl-functionalized polystyrene with (&eegr;5-cyclopentadienyl) (&eegr;3-allyl)palladium. The catalyst is used in the method to produce &dgr;-lactone.