Abstract: Caprolactam is prepared by a process in which(a) a 5-formylvalerate is reacted with excess ammonia and hydrogen in the presence of an alkanol as a solvent and in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under superatmospheric pressure in the liquid phase at from 40.degree. to 130.degree. C.,(b) excess ammonia and hydrogen are separated off from the reaction mixture and(c) the reaction mixture thus obtained is heated to 150.degree.-250.degree. C. and .epsilon.-caprolactam is obtained.

Abstract: Ethylene glycol is prepared from carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a homogeneous liquid phase under superatmospheric pressure and at elevated temperatures in the presence of a rhodium-containing catalyst and in the presence of a porphyrin as organic nitrogen-containing promoter.

Abstract: Ethylene glycol is prepared from carbon monoxide and hydrogen under superatmospheric pressure and at an elevated temperature in the presence of a rhodium-containing catalyst together with a cobalt catalyst, the molar ratio of rhodium to cobalt being from about 20:1 to 60:1.

Abstract: Carbonates are prepared by reacting carbamic acid esters with alcohols at above 140.degree. C., the ammonia formed being stripped from the reaction mixture during the reaction by passing an inert gas or vapor therethrough.The carbonates obtainable by the process of the invention are valuable starting materials for the preparation of dyes, crop protection agents and plastics.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an aryl mono-, di-, and/or polyurethane comprising the steps of A. reacting a primary aromatic mono-, di-, and/or polyamine with an O-alkyl carbamate in the presence of an alcohol at temperatures greater than 160.degree. C., andB. separating the ammonia and other by-products from the aryl mono-, di-, and/or polyurethane.The reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of urea. The aryl mono-, di-, and/or polyurethanes produced are valuable end and intermediate products. They can be transferred into the corresponding isocyanates which can then be used for the preparation of polyurethanes.

Abstract: A process for the production of mixtures of diphenylmethane diisocyanates and polyphenyl polymethylene polyisocyanates comprising the steps ofA. reacting aniline and an O-alkyl carbamate to form N-phenylurethanes;B. isolating the N-phenylurethanes;C. condensing, in the presence of an acid, the N-phenylurethanes with formaldehyde or bifunctional compounds having the formulaX--CH.sub.2 --Xin which X stands for a RO--, RS-- or ROCO radical and R denotes an alkyl radical, to form mixtures of methylene bis(phenylurethanes) and polymethylene polyphenylurethanes;D. cleaving the mixtures of methylene bis(phenylurethanes) and polymethylene polyphenylurethanes at temperatures of 175.degree. C. to 600.degree. C.; andE. isolating the mixtures of diphenylmethane diisocyanates and polyphenyl polymethylene polyisocyanate resulting from step D.