Abstract: C.sub.4 compounds including n-butanol and n-butanal are produced by reacting methanol, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide, in the presence of a cobalt catalyst selected from the group consisting of (a) a cobalt carbonyl, (b) a hydrido cobalt carbonyl and (c) a cobalt-containing material convertible to a cobalt carbonyl or a hydrido cobalt carbonyl, an iodine promotor and a thiol defined by the formula:RSHwherein R is selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alkyl radicals having from one to 24 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl radicals having from three to 40 carbon atoms, aryl radicals having from six to 20 carbon atoms, aralkyl and alkaryl radicals having from six to 40 carbon atoms and halogen substituted derivatives thereof. A high degree of selectivity towards the formation of butanol and butanal is provided by using the cobalt entity and the thiol in a molar ratio in the range of about 2:1 to about 10:1, based on elemental cobalt and sulfur.

Abstract: A novel process for selectively producing ethanol which comprises introducing into a reaction zone (1) methanol, (2) hydrogen, (3) carbon monoxide, (4) a cobalt carbonyl, a hydrido cobalt carbonyl or a cobalt-containing material convertible to a cobalt carbonyl or a hydrido cobalt carbonyl, (5) a tertiary organo Group VA compound of the Periodic Table, (6) an iodine compound and (7) a ruthenium compound; and then subjecting the contents of said reaction zone to an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure for a time sufficient to convert methanol to ethanol.

Abstract: Synthesis gas is converted to a gasoline boiling range product high in branched chain paraffins and olefins utilizing a catalyst consisting essentially of (A) silicalite and (B) cobalt, preferably promoted with a Group IIIB or IVB metal oxide on an alumina support of gamma-alumina, eta-alumina or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for selectively producing ethanol which comprises introducing into a reaction zone methanol, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, a cobalt tricarbonyl complex and an iodine promoter and then subjecting the contents of said reaction zone to an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure for a time period sufficient to convert methanol to ethanol.

Abstract: A novel catalyst system comprising (1) a cobalt carbonyl, a hydrido cobalt carbonyl or a cobalt-containing material convertible to a cobalt carbonyl or a hydrido cobalt carbonyl, (2) a tertiary organo Group VA compound of the Periodic Table, (3) an iodine compound and (4) a ruthenium compound and to a process for selectively producing ethanol which comprises introducing into a reaction zone (1) methanol, (2) hydrogen, (3) carbon monoxide, (4) a cobalt carbonyl, a hydrido cobalt carbonyl or a cobalt-containing material convertible to a cobalt carbonyl or a hydrido cobalt carbonyl, (5) a tertiary organo Group VA compound of the Periodic Table, (6) an iodine compound and (7) a ruthenium compound and then subjecting the contents of said reaction zone to an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure for a time sufficient to convert methanol to ethanol.

Abstract: A process and catalyst system for selectively producing n-butanol and n-butanal which process comprises introducing into a reaction zone methanol, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a catalyst system consisting essentially of (a) a cobalt carbonyl, a hydrido cobalt carbonyl or a cobalt-containing material convertible to a cobalt carbonyl or a hydrido cobalt carbonyl, (b) an iodine compound and (c) a tertiary organo Group VA compound and then subjecting the contents of said reaction zone to an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure for a time sufficient to convert methanol to n-butanol and n-butanal.

Abstract: C.sub.4 compounds including n-butanol and n-butanal are produced by reacting methanol, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide, in the presence of a cobalt catalyst selected from the group consisting of (a) a cobalt carbonyl, (b) a hydrido cobalt carbonyl and (c) a cobalt-containing material convertible to a cobalt carbonyl or a hydrido cobalt carbonyl, an iodine promotor and a biphosphine disulfide having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, the same or different, are selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, staight or branched chain alkyl radicals having from one to 24 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl radicals having from three to 40 carbon atoms, aryl radicals having from six to 20 carbon atoms, aralkyl and alkaryl radicals having from six to 40 carbon atoms and halogen substituted derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A catalyst is prepared by reacting tungsten hexafluoride with water in a molar ratio of 2:1 to 20:1. This catalyst can be used to oligomerize 1-butene to produce synthetic hydrocarbon oils.

Abstract: C.sub.4 compounds including n-butanol and n-butanal are produced by reacting methanol, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide, in the presence of a cobalt catalyst selected from the group consisting of (a) a cobalt carbonyl, (b) a hydrido cobalt carbonyl and (c) a cobalt-containing material convertible to a cobalt carbonyl or a hydrido cobalt carbonyl, an iodine promotor and a thiol defined by the formula:RSHwherein R is selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alkyl radicals having from one to 24 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl radicals having from three to 40 carbon atoms, aryl radicals having from six to 20 carbon atoms, aralkyl and alkaryl radicals having from six to 40 carbon atoms and halogen substituted derivatives thereof. A high degree of selectivity towards the formation of butanol and butanal is provided by using the cobalt entity and the thiol in a molar ratio in the range of about 2:1 to about 10:1, based on elemental cobalt and sulfur.

Abstract: C.sub.4 compounds including n-butanol and n-butanal are produced by reacting methanol, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide, in the presence of a cobalt catalyst selected from the group consisting of (a) a cobalt carbonyl, (b) a hydrido cobalt carbonyl and (c) a cobalt-containing material convertible to a cobalt carbonyl or a hydrido cobalt carbonyl, an iodine promotor and an organic sulfide having the formula:R.sub.1 --S--R.sub.2wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 can be the same or different members selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alkyl radicals having from one to 24 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl radicals having from three to 40 carbon atoms, aryl radicals having from six to 20 carbon atoms, aralkyl and alkaryl radicals having from six to 40 carbon atoms and halogen substituted derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A synthetic hydrocarbon fluid is prepared by oligomerizing an olefin reactant in the presence of a catalyst prepared by reacting tungsten hexafluoride and water at a moderate temperature. For example, 1-butene is oligomerized at a temperature of about 40.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst obtained by reacting tungsten hexafluoride and water in a four to one mol ratio. The liquid oligomer product is then hydrogenated to remove residual unsaturation.

Abstract: A synthetic hydrocarbon fluid is prepared by oligomerizing an olefin reactant in the presence of a catalyst prepared by reacting tungsten hexafluoride and hydrogen fluoride at a moderate temperature. For example, 1-butene is oligomerized at a temperature of about 40.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst obtained by reacting tungsten hexafluoride and hydrogen fluoride in a four to one mol ratio. The liquid oligomer product is then hydrogenated to remove residual unsaturation.

Abstract: Propylene is converted to propylene glycol at high selectivity in a process in which ethylbenzene hydroperoxide and water are reacted with propylene in the presence of osmium tetroxide catalyst and a base at a pH of about 14.

Abstract: Cumene hydroperoxide in a solvent comprising phenol and acetone is decomposed to phenol and acetone using a soluble rhenium compound.

Abstract: An aromatic hydrocarbon is alkylated with an alpha olefin containing three to 10 carbon atoms, or more, by intimately contacting the alpha olefin and the aromatic hydrocarbon with a catalyst produced by contacting (a) a refractory metal oxide/silica support such as alumina/silica wherein the silica content of the support is from two to 95 weight percent and the metal oxide content of the support is from five to 98 percent with (b) a tris(cyclopentadienyl)trinickel dicarbonyl. This process results in the production of significant quantities of alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Ethylene is oligomerized by intimately contacting ethylene with a metal modified catalyst. The catalyst is produced by contacting (a) a refractory metal oxide/silica support, such as alumina/silica wherein the silica content of the support is from about 2 to about 95 weight percent and the metal oxide content of the support is from about 5 to about 98 percent with (b) a solution of a basic metal and then (c) contacting the resulting metal modified support with a tris(cyclopentadienyl)trinickel dicarbonyl.

Abstract: An alpha olefin containing three to 10 carbon atoms, or higher, is oligomerized by intimately contacting the alpha olefin, e.g., in a non-aromatic solvent, with a catalyst produced by contacting (a) a refractory metal oxide/silica support such as alumina/silica wherein the silica content of the support is from about 2 to about 95 weight percent and the metal oxide content of the support is from about 5 to about 98 percent with (b) a tris(cyclopentadienyl)trinickel dicarbonyl. This process is characterized by a relatively high reaction rate at moderate temperatures and pressures and results in the production of significant quantities of dimers, trimers and tetramers.

Abstract: Ethylene is oligomerized by contacting ethylene with a catalyst produced by contacting (a) a refractory metal oxide/silica support such as alumina/silica wherein the silica content of the support is from about 2 to about 95 weight percent and the metal oxide content of the support is from about 5 to about 98 percent with (b) a tris(cyclopentadienyl)trinickel dicarbony. This process is characterized by a relatively high reaction rate at moderate temperatures and pressures and results in the production of relatively high proportions of desirable trimer, tetramer, pentamer, and higher olefinic products.

Abstract: A catalyst residue containing osmium catalyst having a substantial component with a valency state less than +5 is regenerated to a valency state greater than +5 by contacting the residue with an organic hydroperoxide at a pH greater than 7 and the regenerated catalyst residue is recycled to a hydroxylation reactor containing ethylene or propylene, a polar organic solvent, an aqueous solution of cesium, rubidium, potassium or tetraalkylammonium hydroxide and an organic hydroperoxide.

Abstract: A catalyst that is highly active at low operating temperatures and pressures in the oligomerization of lower olefins such as ethylene is produced by contacting (a) a refractory metal oxide/silica support such as alumina/silica wherein the silica content of the support is from about 2 to about 95 weight percent and the metal oxide content of the support is from about 5 to about 98 percent with (b) a tris(cyclopentadienyl)trinickel dicarbonyl. When used to oligomerize ethylene, these catalysts are characterized by a relatively high reaction rate at moderate temperatures and pressures. Their use permits the production of relatively high proportions of desirable trimer, tetramer, pentamer, and higher olefinic products.