Abstract: An ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon is hydroformylated to an aldehyde having one more carbon than the unsaturated hydrocarbon by contacting the unsaturated hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a reaction medium comprising a Group VIII noble metal and a bicyclo or tricyclo(heterocyclo) saturated amine having 2 to 10 carbons, 1 to 4 nitrogens and at least one nitrogen in a bridgehead position. Liquid phase contacting is employed with the catalyst dispersed in a liquid phase at temperatures from 50.degree. to about 200.degree. C. and pressures from 1 to 300 atmospheres. A typical reaction comprises contacting ethylene, carbon monoxide and hydrogen at a temperature of about 88.degree. C. and a pressure of 50 atmospheres with an inert liquid reaction medium containing rhodium chloride and triethylenediamine. Preferably the reaction medium also contains a biphyllic ligand which is a trivalent phosphorus, antimony or arsenic organic compound.

Abstract: The destructive oxidation of oxalic acid is catalyzed by a vanadium compound in liquid phase oxidation. The oxalic acid is contacted with oxygen in the presence of a vanadium compound in aqueous solution and the oxidation proceeds selectively without any appreciable oxidation of other components of the reaction medium such as acetaldehyde and ethylene. The oxidation is performed at temperatures between 30.degree. and 300.degree.C. and atmospheric or superatmospheric pressure.