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: A process for the preparation of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid containing additional functional groups wherein a substituted cyclobutane is contacted with an anhydride of acetic, propionic or butyric acid at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: Lower aliphatic acids, e.g., isobutyric acid and esters, e.g., methyl isobutyrate are dehydrogenated in the presence of oxygen and a solid heterogenous dehydrogenation catalyst at temperatures in the range of from about 250.degree. C. to about 600.degree. C. The catalyst is the calcined residue of a base catalyst described as the mixed phosphates of iron and lead and a modifier component selected from the group consisting of manganese, uranium, praseodymium, calcium, strontium and chromium wherein such modifier is present in the amount of from about 0.1 to about 10% based on the weight of said base catalyst.

Abstract: Lower aliphatic acids, e.g., isobutyric acid and esters, e.g., methyl isobutyrate are dehydrogenated in the presence of oxygen and a solid heterogenous dehydrogenation catalyst at temperatures in the range of from about 250.degree. to about 600.degree. C. The catalyst is the calcined residue of a base catalyst described as the mixed phosphates of iron and lead and a modifier component selected from the group consisting of manganese, uranium, praseodymium, calcium, strontium and chromium wherein such modifier is present in the amount of from about 0.1 to about 10% based on the weight of said base catalyst.

Abstract: Lower aliphatic acids, e.g., isobutyric acid, and esters, e.g., methyl isobutyrate, are dehydrogenated in the presence of oxygen and a solid heterogeneous dehydrogenation catalyst at temperatures in the range of from about 250.degree.C. to about 600.degree.C. The catalyst is the calcined residue of the mixed phosphates of iron and lead.