Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of methanol to produce acetaldehyde comprising reacting methanol in the presence of hydrogen, cobalt, ruthenium, at least one ionic halide, and at least one alkyl halide, the molar ratio Ru/Co being at most equal to about 2, and the cobalt concentration being at most about 50 milligram atoms per liter of reaction medium.

Abstract: Acetaldehyde is prepared by reacting methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a palladium catalyst and an iodine moiety in a reaction zone wherein the reaction mixture is in a continuous boiling state.

Abstract: A process for hydrolysing allylethers of the general formula:R.sub.6 CH.dbd.CR.sub.5 --CR.sub.4 --O--CR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6, which may be the same or different, represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms or one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 and R.sub.6 together represent a covalent bond, with water in the presence of a supported Group VIII metal catalyst. Methyl sec-butenyl ether can be hydrolysed in high yield to methyl ethyl ketone.

Abstract: An organic tri-substituted phosphine having a boiling point of at least 200.degree. C. and a reaction medium having a boiling point of at least 200.degree. C. are used in a hydroformylation of allyl alcohol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a rhodium complex catalyst. The concentration of the organic phosphine is 5.times.10.sup.-4 to 0.3 mol. per 1 liter of the reaction medium. The reaction medium is distilled at lower than 80.degree. C. under a reduced pressure and the bottom residue as the catalyst solution is recycled. The hydroformylation can be repeated by using the bottom residue as the catalyst solution.