Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids by thermal cracking of the polymeric intermediate product ("polyester") which is formed in the catalytic reaction of aldehydes or ketones with ketene. The reaction mixture containing polyester is heated with water, and the polyester is then isolated and subjected to cracking. Or the polyester is first isolated and then heated with water and finally subjected to cracking. In both cases the temperature when the mixture is heated with water is the same as the boiling point, or is less than 40.degree. C. below the boiling point, of the aqueous mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved process wherein an olefin, an alcohol, or an ester, halide or ether derivative of said alcohol is reacted with carbon monoxide in a liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst system containing a rhodium component and an iodine or bromine component. By passing at least a portion of the liquid reaction mass from the reaction zone to a separation zone of substantially lower CO partial pressure, at least a portion of the carbonylation products, as well as unreacted carbon monoxide, inert gases, and unreacted olefin, alcohol, or alcohol derivatives are vaporized and can be withdrawn from the separation zone. Precipitation of the rhodium catalyst under carbon monoxide deficient conditions is prevented or retarded by addition to the system of a stabilizer which is a tin component which may be tin or a tin compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved process wherein an olefin, an alcohol, or an ester, halide or ether derivative of said alcohol is reacted with carbon monoxide in a liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst system that contains (a) a rhodium component, and (b) an iodine or bromine component. By passing at least a portion of the liquid reaction mass from the reaction zone to a separation zone of substantially lower CO partial pressure, at least a portion of the carbonylation products, as well as unreacted carbon monoxide, inert gases, and unreacted olefin, alcohol, or alcohol derivatives are vaporized and can be withdrawn from the separation zone. Precipitation of the rhodium catalyst under carbon monoxide deficient conditions is prevented or retarded by addition to the system of a stabilizer component selected from N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-o-phenylenediamine and 2,3'-dipyridyl.

Abstract: The yield of hydroxyacetic acid produced from formaldehyde, water and carbon monoxide in the presence of a sulfuric acid catalyst and using crude recycled hydroxyacetic acid as the reaction medium is improved by azeotropic distillation of crude, recycle hydroxyacetic acid with toluene. The distillation step reduces the water content of feed thereby increases conversion of formaldehyde to hydroxyacetic acid and reduces formic acid content in the product.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons and esters and/or acids are produced by heating aldehydes in the presence of an alcohol or an alcohol equivalent and in the presence of an iodine or bromine moiety and a rhodium or iridium catalyst.

Abstract: Water, primary alcohols or secondary alcohols together with carbon monoxide can be added across ethylenic or acetylenic bonds in a wide variety of organic compounds to form acids or esters. The reaction is conducted in the presence of a catalyst system consisting of an organophosphorus palladium halide compound and certain metal halide compounds.

Abstract: A process for preparing glycolic acid which comprises contacting formaldehyde with formic acid in the presence of hydrogen fluoride present in an amount to serve as both catalyst and solvent for the reactants and reaction mixture.

Abstract: Alkali metal salts of polymeric acetal carboxylate are stable detergent builders under laundry use conditions but depolymerize in acid media, making the polymer fragments more readily biodegradable in waste streams. According to the improved process of the present invention, an ester of a polymeric acetal carboxylate is brought together in a reaction zone with a sufficient amount of an alkali metal base having a normality of at least 5 normal, and preferably at least 10 normal, to saponify at least 50 percent of the ester groups. In the preferred embodiment, the ester is contacted with a solvent to remove color-producing impurities.

Abstract: The hydrogen fluoride-catalyzed carbonylation of formaldehyde to prepare glycolic acid can be carried out with a significant reduction in by-product formation and at a significantly improved rate by incorporating minor amounts of acetic acid in the reaction medium.