Abstract: The invention is a process for regioselective nitration of substituted aromatic compounds and the corresponding reaction products. The reaction is conducted in the presence of a solid zeolite with small pores and with nitrogen pentoxide as the nitrating agent. The reaction products have a very high proportion of para-nitro substituted isomer.

Abstract: A process for condensing aldehydes where an aldehyde having an a hydrogen and having the formula R.sub.1 CHO, wherein R.sub.1 is selected from alkyl having one to twelve carbon atoms and aralkyl having one to fourteen carbon atoms, is combined with hydrated MgO to form a reaction product comprising an aldol of said aldehyde, the unsaturated aldehyde derived by dehydration of said aldol, or mixtures thereof. In a second embodiment, a first composition selected from aldehydes containing an a hydrogen and having the formula R.sub.1 CHO, wherein R.sub.1 is as defined above, is combined with a second composition selected from aldehydes having the formula R.sub.2 CHO, wherein R.sub.2 is selected from H, alkyl having one to twelve carbon atoms, and aralkyl having one to fourteen carbon atoms, and with hydrated MgO, to form a reaction product mixture comprising an aldol of said aldehyde, the unsaturated aldehyde derived by dehydration of said aldol, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Cationic rhodium bis(dioxaphosphorus heterocycle) complexes of the formula: ##STR1## in which R is preferably ##STR2## or (CH.sub.2).sub.2-5, Y . . . Y is any backbone chain of 2-5 atoms, and L and L' are any stabilizing ligands, used in hydroformylation of olefins to obtain regioselectivity of branched aldehyde products. The formula of the catalyst may include substituents which do not interfere with the branched product regioselectivity of the catalyst as a whole. In the hydroformylation method the olefin is reacted with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of the catalyst at a temperature and pressure sufficient to permit the desired branched product regioselectivity.

Abstract: Cationic rhodium bis(dioxaphosphorus heterocycle) complexes of the formula: ##STR1## in which R is preferably ##STR2## or (CH.sub.2).sub.2-5, Y . . . Y is any backbone chain of 2-5 atoms, and L and L' are any stabilizing ligands, used in hydroformylation of olefins to obtain regioselectivity of branched aldehyde products. The formula of the catalyst may include substituents which do not interfere with the branched product regioselectivity of the catalyst as a whole. In the hydroformylation method the olefin is reacted with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of the catalyst at a temperature and pressure sufficient to permit the desired branched product regioselectivity.