Abstract: A process for the hydroformylation of unsaturated compounds containing a group C.dbd.C.dbd.C--OH, in the presence of a catalyst system containing rhodium and a ligand of the formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 P--R--NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group and R represents a bivalent organic bridging group containing from 1 to 5 atoms in the bridge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkenoic acid derivatives by reaction of an aliphatic conjugated diene with carbon monoxide and a hydroxyl group-containing compound. The reaction is carried out in a liquid reaction medium of controlled polarity in the presence of a catalyst system containing a palladium compound, a multidentate phosphine ligand, and optionally a protonic acid. By controlling the polarity of the reaction medium to a calculated dielectric constant .epsilon..sub.calc of below a value of 8, higher reaction rates are achieved.

Abstract: A carbonylation catalyst system, which comprises:a) a source of a Group VIII metal;b) a source of a phosphine having an aromatic substituent containing an imino nitrogen atom;c) a source of protons; andd) a source of an alkylsulfonate anion, and the use of such a catalyst system in the carbonylation of an acetylenically or olefinically unsaturated compound.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an alpha,beta-olefinically unsaturated compound, which comprises reacting an acetylenically unsaturated compound with monoxide and a hydroxyl-containing compound in the presence of a catalyst system comprising:(a) a source of a Group VIII metal cation,(b) a source of an organic diphosphine having at least one of the phosphorus atoms substituted by an aromatic substituent containing an imino nitrogen atom, and(c) a source of an anion.

Abstract: A carbonylation catalyst system, which comprises:a) a source of a Group VIII metal;b) a source of a phosphine having an aromatic substituent containing an imino nitrogen atom;c) a source of protons; andd) a source of an alkylsulfonate anion, and the use of such a catalyst system in the carbonylation of an acetylenically or olefinically unsaturated compound.

Abstract: A catalyst system, which containsa) a source of a group VIII metal, andb) a phosphine of general formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from an optionally substituted aryl group and a group of general formula: ##STR2## wherein eachh of A, X, Y and Z is independently selected from a nitrogen atom, a CH group and a group of formula CR wherein R represents a hydroxyl group, an amino group, an amido group, a cyano group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyloxy group, it also being possible for two adjacent CR groups to form a ring, provided that at least one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represents a group of formula (II) in which at least one of A and Z represents a group of formula CR; or an acid addition salt thereof.Also disclosed is the use of the catalyst system in the selective carbonylation of unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A catalyst system, which containsa) a source of a Group VIII metal, andb) a phosphine of general formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from an optionally substituted aryl group and a group of general formula: ##STR2## wherein each of A, X, Y and Z is independently selected from a nitrogen atom, a CH group and a group of formula CR wherein R represents a hydroxyl group, an amino group, an amido group, a cyano group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyloxy group, it also being possible for two adjacent CR groups to form a ring, provided that at least one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represents a group of formula (II) in which at least one of A and Z represents a group of formula CR; or an acid addition salt thereof.Also disclosed is the use of the catalyst system in the selective carbonylation of unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for the production of methanol comprising contacting a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with a catalytic system, obtainable by combination of:component (a): a substantially dry nickel formate,component (b): water in a predetermined amount in relation to the nickel formate amount and,component (c): an alcoholate derived from an alkali metal or from an alkaline earth metal, and activation the combined components,and a catalyst system to be used in this process.Preferably the molar ratio between nickel formate and water is in the rate from 1:3.5 to 1:1 and more preferably from 1:3.0 to 1:1.5.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of methanol by contacting CO and H.sub.2 with a novel catalytic system formed by combining (a) a nickel salt having a pK.sub.a <4.70, (b) an alcohol, and (c) a hydride of an alkali metal or of an alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenation of esters of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 represent a hydrocarbyl group, and wherein R.sub.3 represents a hydrocarbylene group, which process comprises contacting said ester with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system which comprises:(a) a compound containing a cation of an element selected from Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements,(b) an alcoholate of an alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal, and(c) an alcohol.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of methanol by contacting CO and H.sub.2 with a novel catalytic system formed by combining (a) a nickel salt of a carboxylic acid having a pK.sub.a >4.76, (b) an alcohol, and (c) a hydride of an alkaki metal or of an alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: A process for the production of methanol comprising contacting a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with a catalytic system, obtainable by combination of:component (a): a substantially dry nickel formate,component (b): water in a predetermined amount in relation to the nickel formate amount and,component (c): an alcoholate derived from an alkali metal or from an alkaline earth metal, and activation the combined components,and a catalyst system to be used in this process.Preferably the molar ratio between nickel formate and water is in the range from 1:3.5 to 1:1 and more preferably from 1:3.0 to 1:1.5.

Abstract: A process for the production of methanol comprising contacting a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with a catalytic system, obtainable by combination of:component (a): a salt containing a cation of an element of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements,component (b): an alcohol, andcomponent (c): an alcoholate derived from an alkali metal or from an alkaline earth metal,and activation the combined components, and a catalyst system to be used in this process.

Abstract: A process for producing methanol which comprises the following consecutive steps:Step 1: Preparing a novel catalytic system by combining (a) a nickel (b) a hydride of an alkali metal or of an alkaline earth metal, and (c) an ester of formic acid which originates from an external source, and allowing the combined components (a), (b) and (c) to react; andStep 2: Contacting a gaseous mixture of CO and H.sub.2 with the catalytic system prepared in step 1.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of methanol by contacting CO and H.sub.2 with a novel catalytic system formed by combining (a) a nickel salt of a carboxylic acid having a pK.sub.a >4.76, (b) an alcohol, and (c) a hydride of an alkali metal or of an alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of methanol by contacting CO and H.sub.2 with a novel catalytic system formed by combining (a) a nickel salt having a pK.sub.a <4.70, (b) an alcohol, and (c) a hydride of an alkali metal or of an alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: A process for producing methanol which comprises the following consecutive steps:Step 1: Preparing a novel catalytic system by combining (a) a nickel (b) a hydride of an alkali metal or of an alkaline earth metal, and (c) an ester of formic acid which originates from an external source, and allowing the combined components (a), (b) and (c) to react; andStep 2: Contacting a gaseous mixture of CO and H.sub.2 with the catalytic system prepared in step 1.