Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of a lower hydrocarbon to form at least one higher hydrocarbon and/or lower olefin. In one embodiment, the catalyst includes a nonstoichiometric rare earth oxycarbonate of the formula MXCYOZ having a disordered and/or defect structure, wherein M is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm; X=2; Z=3+AY; A is less than about 1.8, and Y is the number of carbon atoms in the oxycarbonate. When used for the oxidative dehydrogenation of a lower hydrocarbon at a pressure above about 100 psig, the catalyst has a selectivity of at least about 40% to at least one higher hydrocarbon and/or lower olefin. Methods for preparing catalysts taught by the invention and processes for using the catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of lower hydrocarbons are also provided.

Abstract: Included is the oxydehydrogenation of saturated dinitriles, for example, succinonitrile, to prepare unsaturated dinitriles, for example, fumaronitrile and maleonitrile. Succinonitrile can be oxydehydrogenated by passing it in a vapor phase over a calcined calcium nickel phosphate catalyst, and the selectivity to fumaronitrile can be varied by the presence of water vapor in the vapor phase feed mixture.

Abstract: 1,1-disubstituted ethylene compounds of the general formula I ##STR1## where Z is COOR.sup.2, CN or COR.sup.3, R.sup.1 is an aliphatic, cycloalophatic, araliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic radical which may be further substituted by functional groups which are inert under the reaction conditions, R.sup.2 is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or araliphatic radical of 1 to 15 carbon atoms and R.sup.3 is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or araliphatic radical of 1 to 15 carbon atoms which may be substituted by groups which are inert under the reaction conditions, and R.sup.1 together with R.sup.2 or R.sup.1 together with R.sup.3 may furthermore form an alkylene chain of 2 to 10 carbon atoms which may be substituted by groups which are inert under the reaction conditions, are prepared from a formyl compound of the general formula II ##STR2## where Z, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 have the above meanings, by a process in which the reaction is carried out in the presence of formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde and(a) a C.sub.

Abstract: A process for preparing an unsaturated aliphatic nitrile comprising contacting a saturated aliphatic nitrile with oxygen in the presence of a carbon catalyst under conditions such that the unsaturated aliphatic nitrile is formed. A preferred form of the catalyst is a carbon prepared by the pyrolysis of a synthetic polymer. Unsaturated aliphatic nitriles, such as acrylonitrile, fumaronitrile and maleonitrile, are prepared in high selectivity by this process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a 1,1-disubstituted ethylene derivative of the formula ##STR1## which comprises reacting lead with a carbinol derivative of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, X, Y, m and n are defined in the specification. The reaction is conducted more advantageously in the presence of a metal having higher ionization tendency than lead.

Abstract: A process is provided for the oxydehydrogenation of saturated carboxylic acids or a lower alkyl ester thereof with oxygen in the presence of iron phosphorus oxide catalysts containing promoters selected from the group Ag, Al, B, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Ga, Ge, In, Mn, Ni, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, Zn, Zr, rare earths and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for the isomerization reaction from quadricyclanes to norbornadienes in a conversion system from light energy to heat energy which comprises cyclopropenylidene palladium complex represented by the formula, ##STR1## wherein R represents hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl or cyano group and X represents a halogen atom, and further relates to a fixed catalyst for the isomerization reaction from quadricyclanes to norbornadienes in a conversion system from light energy to heat energy which is obtained by adsorption-fixing a porphyrin Co(II) complex represented by the formula, ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 represents a lower alkyl group and R.sub.3 represents a hydroxycarbonyl lower alkyl group, to a modified inorganic carrier in which a polyamine sulfone comprising a recurring unit represented by the formula, ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 represents a lower alkyl group and X represents a halogen atom, has been adsorbed on a solid inorganic carrier.