Abstract: Process for the catalytic hydrogenation of methylolalkanals of the general formula where R1 and R2 are each, independently of one another, a further methylol group or an alkyl group having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms or an aryl or aralkyl group having from 6 to 33 carbon atoms, in the liquid phase by means of hydrogen over a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein hydrogen is used in a molar ratio to methylolalkanal of greater than 1.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing tetramethylcyclopentadiene from 2,3-dibromobutane is described. A 2-bromo-2-butene Grignard is reacted with an ethyl formate to produce a 3,5-dimethyl-2,5-heptadiene-4-ol magnesium bromide which is then quenched with acetic acid to produce 3,5-dimethyl-2,5-hepadiene-4-ol.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic addition of nucleophilic agents to alkynes or allenes to form alkenes substituted by the nucleophile which may further react with the nucleophile and/or isomerize comprises using a catalyst comprising a wholly or partly ionized complex of univalent gold.

Abstract: A process is provided for the catalytic asymmetric reduction of ketones to provide alcohol reaction products which are enriched in one enantiomer. The asymmetric reduction is accomplished utilizing an achiral metal precatalyst in combination with an optically active additive.

Abstract: A process is provided whereby organic carbonyl substrates, including esters, lactones, ketones, amides and imides are reduced in a reaction with a silane reducing reagent and a catalyst. Exemplary catalysts include metal alkoxides and metal aryloxides.

Abstract: Dihydromyrcenol is prepared from dihydromyrcenyl chloride by hydrolyzing dihydromyrcenyl chloride in an aqueous medium containing a base and a phase transfer catalyst in an amount of 0.001-10 mol %, based on the amount of dihydromyrcenyl chloride.

Abstract: Described is a novel process for preparing dihydromyrcenol defined according to the structure: ##STR1## or the acetate thereof comprising the steps of: (i) hydrogenating .alpha.-pinene to form .alpha.-pinane;(ii) pyrolizing the resulting .alpha.-pinane to form a mixture of hydrocarbons including dihydromyrcene (or, in the alternative, forming substantially the same mixture of hydrocarbons by other well known means);(iii) reacting the resulting pinane pyrolyzate or like mixture with hydrogen chloride gas in the presence of an acid catalyst, e.g., Lewis acid or protonic acid, to form a mixture of tertiary chlorides; then(iv) reacting the mixture of tertiary chlorides with water or acetic acid int he presence of a hydroxylation catalyst defined according to the formula:M.sub.P X.sub.Qwherein M represents an element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Ca, Mg, Mn and Co; wherein X represents O or an anion, e.g.