Abstract: A method for preparing tris[(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoroalkyl)aryl]phosphites consists in preparing a grignard reagent from an alkoxyhalogenobenzene, then reacting it with a iodo-1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoroalkane; transforming the alkoxy function of (1H,1H,2H,2H,2H-perfluoroalkyl)alkoxybenzene obtained into a hydroxy function, then reacting (1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoroalkyl)hydroxybenzene with PCl3. The invention also concerns fluorinated arylphosphites and their use as transition metal ligand for making catalysts to be used in two-phase catalysis with fluorinated phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the hydroformylation of an olefin chosen from the alkenes represented by the formula CnH.sub.2n in which n is an integer less than or equal to 30, or chosen from functionalized olefins, by a CO/H.sub.2 gas mixture in a two-phase medium, this process consisting in placing in contact, on the one hand, an aqueous solution containing a catalytic system consisting of a water-soluble transition metal complex and a water-soluble phosphine, and, on the other hand, an olefin, in heating the reaction mixture obtained with stirring, after it has been placed under a pressure of the CO/H.sub.2 gas mixture, in which process a modified cyclodextrin is introduced into the aqueous solution containing the catalytic system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of acetic anhydride, characterized in that a gas containing essentially CO, at a pressure of at least 1 MPa, is reacted with methyl formate in the presence ofa) a rhodium-based catalyst,b) two iodine-containing promoters of different kind, successively ionic and covalent, andc) an N-substituted cyclic amide as solvent.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a process for the preparation of methyl acetate starting from the methyl formate, characterized in that methyl formate is converted at a temperature of 170.degree. to 220.degree. C. in the presence of:a) a catalyst based on rhodium,b) an iodine-containing promoter selected from among the alkaline, alkaline earth, phosphonium or ammonium iodides and the mixtures of covalent compounds of iodine supplemented with a phosphine or a tertiary amine.c) a solvent selected from a cyclic N-alkyl amide.

Abstract: Saturated carboxylic esters are produced from alkyl formate and an olefin, without the presence of substantial amounts of carbon monoxide, at a temperature of 120.degree. to 280.degree. C., under a pressure of 1 to 3,000 bars, in the presence of a catalyst based on ruthenium coordinated by ligands selected from carbon monoxide, halogen atoms and amines, and in the presence of an amide as a solvent. The catalyst is selected from catalysts consisting essentially of RuCl.sub.3.3H.sub.2 O; catalysts consisting essentially of the combination of an RuCl.sub.3.3H.sub.2 O together with at least one stabilizer selected from iodine, covalent iodides and quaternary ammonium halides; catalysts comprising Ru.sub.3 (CO).sub.12 together with at least one stabilizer such as is mentioned above; and catalysts selected from RuI.sub.3, [RuCl.sub.2 (CO).sub.3 ].sub.2, Ru(NH.sub.3).sub.6 Cl.sub.3 and [Ru(NH.sub.3).sub.5 Cl]Cl.sub.2, comprising, where appropriate, in addition, at least one stabilizer such as is mentioned above.

Abstract: The process for the preparation of an aldehyde of formula R--CHO in which R is an alkyl group of C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 comprises according to the invention the reaction on an alkyl formate of formula H--COOR in which R has the meaning given above, of a gas constituted mainly by CO, in the presence of(a) a catalyst based on a metal chosen from among Rh, Ru, Ir, mixtures of them or a mixture of Rh and/or Ru and/or Ir with Co, Ni or Fe,(b) a promoter chosen from among iodides and mixtures of covalent compounds of iodine and a phosphine or a tertiary amine,(c) a solvent consisting of a cyclic N-alkyl amide.