Abstract: A copper catalyst obtained by reducing a precursor containing copper and aluminum and not containing substantially malachite and aluminum hydroxide permits preparation of amides with a high productivity and in a high selectivity by the hydration of nitrites.

Abstract: A method for preparing an unsaturated compound mainly comprising monoolefins, or a mixture of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated nitriles and monoolefins comprises coming a mixed gas which comprises paraffins and oxygen, or paraffins, oxygen and ammonia in contact with a catalyst which comprises (1) an oxide of phosphorus and (2) at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of indium oxide and tin oxide or comprises, in addition to the foregoing catalytic components, (3) at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of vanadium oxide, tungsten oxide and molybdenum oxide. The method makes it possible to prepare monoolefins, or a mixture of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated nitriles and monoolefins in high yield and high selectivity from cheap starting materials, parafins.

Abstract: A method for preparing an unsaturated compound mainly comprising monoolefins, or a mixture of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated nitriles and monoolefins comprises coming a mixed gas which comprises paraffins and oxygen, or paraffins, oxygen and ammonia in contact with a catalyst which comprises (1) an oxide of phosphorus and (2) at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of indium oxide and tin oxide or comprises, in addition to the foregoing catalytic components, (3) at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of vanadium oxide, tungsten oxide and molybdenum oxide. The method makes it possible to prepare monoolefins, or a mixture of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated nitriles and monoolefins in high yield and high selectivity from cheap starting materials, parafins.

Abstract: A method for preparing an unsaturated compound mainly comprising monoolefins, or a mixture of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated nitriles and monoolefins comprises coming a mixed gas which comprises paraffins and oxygen, or paraffins, oxygen and ammonia in contact with a catalyst which comprises (1) an oxide of phosphorus and (2) at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of indium oxide and tin oxide or comprises, in addition to the foregoing catalytic components, (3) at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of vanadium oxide, tungsten oxide and molybdenum oxide. The method makes it possible to prepare monoolefins, or a mixture of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated nitriles and monoolefins in high yield and high selectivity from cheap starting materials, parafins.

Abstract: A composite oxide catalyst represented by the general formula: Mo-V-P-X-Y (wherein X represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sb, Cu, Co, Bi and As; Y represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of K, Rb, Cs and Tl) and a method for preparing methacrylic acid through gas phase catalytic oxidation of methacrolein with molecular oxygen in the presence of the foregoing catalyst are herein disclosed. The catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activity, selectivity to methacrylic acid, catalytic stability and lifetime.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of an indole from aniline or a derivative thereof and a polyhydric alcohol. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst composed of a carrier having a specific surface area of at least 10 m.sup.2 /g and silver supported on the carrier. The catalyst also contains as an additional component a specific amount of at least one element selected from Co, Fe and Ni. Deterioration in catalytic performance of the catalyst during the reaction and its regeneration are therefore minimized.

Abstract: A method for preparing acrolein or methacrolein comprises subjecting propylene, secondary propanol, isobutylene or tertiary butanol to gas phase catalytic oxidation with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalyst represented by the following general formula (I):Mo.sub.a Bi.sub.b Fe.sub.c X.sub.d Y.sub.O Z.sub.f O.sub.g (I)wherein X represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni and Co; Y represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of K, Rb, Cs and Tl; and Z represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ce, Ti, Zr, Nb, Cr, W, Mn, Cu, Ag, Zn, Cd, B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, P, As, Sb, S, Se and Te; a, b, c, d, e, f and g each represents an atomic ratio of the corresponding element and when a is assumed to be 12, b=0.1.about.10, c=0.1.about.20, d=2.about.20, e=0.01.about.2, f=0.about.

Abstract: A method for preparing an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitrile comprises bringing an .alpha.-oxycarboxylic acid amide represented by the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R' and R" each represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, with the proviso that at least one of R' and R" represents an alkyl group, into contact with a solid acid catalyst with heating in the presence of water in a molar ratio of not more than 15 with respect to the .alpha.-oxycarboxylic acid amide. The method makes it possible to directly produce an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitrile at high yield and high selectivity utilizing an .alpha.-oxycarboxylic acid amide as a starting material, which can easily be obtained from an .alpha.-oxynitrile.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is to react an aniline and an ethylene glycol at a superatmospheric pressure in preparing an indole by subjecting the aniline and ethylene glycol to a gas-phase catalytic reaction in the presence of a catalyst, thereby improving the selectivity of the reaction and the service life of the catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a preparation process for an indole, which process comprises subjecting an N-(.beta.-hydroxy)-alkylaniline, in the presence of a catalyst and at a super-atmospheric pressure, to a gas-phase catalytic reaction. The present process improves the selectivity of the reaction and the service life of the catalyst.

Abstract: In a process for preparing an indole by reacting an aniline with a diol, a catalyst the activity of which has been reduced through its use in the reaction is brought into contact with an inert gas containing 5 vol. % or less of oxygen so that the catalyst is regenerated for its repeated utilization. The activity of the regenerated catalyst is enhanced further when it is subjected to a reducing treatment for activation upon its reutilization.

Abstract: Magnetic powder protected from subsequent oxidation and deterioration can be obtained by effecting contact of starting magnetic powder, which is formed of an intermetallic compound containing a rare-earth metal and an iron-group metal as principal components thereof, with a phosphorus compound containing at least one active proton having a pKa of 4 or smaller and exposure of the starting magnetic powder to an oxygen-containing atmosphere in an arbitrary order or simultaneously. Production of a plastic magnet with the magnetic powder of this invention allows to avoid danger and deterioration in magnetic characteristics of the resulting product due to oxidation of the magnetic powder even if exposed to elevated temperatures during its production or use.

Abstract: A process for preparing alkyl nitroacetates by reacting an alkyl phenyl carbonate with a nitroparaffin in a polar aprotic solvent in the presence of a cyanide ion. The process permits a higher reaction rate, and thus the reaction can be completed even at room temperature.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of indoles which comprises reacting aniline or a derivative thereof with a 1,2-glycol in the presence of a catalyst comprising silver supported on a carrier having a specific surface area of not less than 10 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: Preparation process of indole from aniline and ethylene glycol. Upon preparing indole by reacting aniline and ethylene glycol in a gas phase and in the presence of a catalyst, ethylene glycol is charged in portions to a multiplicity of catalyst stages formed by dividing a catalyst bed and connected in series. This divided supply of ethylene glycol permits the suppresing of the decomposition of ethylene glycol, even if the molar ratio of feed aniline to total feed ethylene glycol is small. The above process permits making the yield of indole large and reducing the amount of unreacted aniline to be separated and recovered from the reaction effluent.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of indole and derivatives thereof wherein an aniline is reacted with a 1,2-glycol in the vapor phase, the liquid phase or a mixed vapor-liquid phase. A salt of a metal of group IIa of the periodic table, a salt of iron, a salt of cobalt and/or a salt of nickel are used as the catalyst for this reaction. The present invention makes it possible to prepare indole and derivatives thereof in a single step by using inexpensive compounds as the starting materials.

Abstract: A process for producing an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid or esters thereof which comprises bringing an .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid amide into contact with a solid acid catalyst independently or along with water, or along with water and an aliphatic alcohol, or along with an aliphatic alcohol.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of indole and derivatives thereof wherein an aniline is reacted with a 1,2-glycol in the vapor phase, the liquid phase or a mixed vapor-liquid phase. A sulfide or selenide or cadmium and/or zinc are used as the catalyst for this reaction. The present invention makes it possible to prepare indole and derivatives thereof in a single step by using inexpensive compounds as the starting materials.

Abstract: A method for the separation of indole by distilling an indole-containing reaction fluid obtained by the reaction of aniline with ethylene glycol or by the reaction of N-(.beta.-hydroxyethyl)aniline, which comprises bringing the reaction fluid into contact with a basic substance prior to and/or during the distillation. This method can prevent the deterioration of indole during the distillation procedure.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of acrylamide obtained by catalytic hydration of acrylonitrile in the presence of a copper-based catalyst is purified by the steps, in sequence, of (a) removal of the unreacted acrylonitrile, (b) removal of copper, (c) treatment under basic conditions, (d) cation exchanging treatment and (e) weakly basic anion exchanging treatment. The acrylamide obtained by this process has good storage stability. An acrylamide polymer produced from this monomer is useful as a flocculant having a reduced content of the unreacted monomer, a high molecular weight and excellent solubility in water.