A process for the production of 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde is described. The process comprises reacting allyl alcohol with a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst system comprising a rhodium complex and a 2,3-O-isopropylidene-2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-bis[bis(3,5-di-n-alkylphenyl)phosp- hino]butane. The process gives high yield of 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde compared to 3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionaldehyde.

Nonmetallic, chiral organic catalysts are used to catalyze enantioselective fluorination of enolizable aldehydes. Reaction systems composed of an enolizable aldehyde, an electrophilic fluorination reagent, and a nonmetallic chiral catalyst in the form of an imidazolidinone salt are also provided.

3,3-Dimethylbutanal is prepared from 3,3-dimethybutanol. Intermediate 3,3-dimethylbutanol is obtained by reacting ethylene, isopropylene and a mineral acid to produce a 3,3-dimethylbutyl ester which is hydrolyzed to the alcohol. The hydrolysis step is effectively carried out by reactive distillation. Alternatively, 3,3-dimethylbutanal is prepared from 3,3-dimethylbutanol obtained by reduction of the corresponding carboxylic acid or 1,2-epoxy-3,3-dimethylbutane, or by hydrolysis of 1-halo-3,3-dim...

Process for the nonoxidative preparation of formaldehyde from methanol The invention relates to a process for preparing formaldehyde from methanol by dehydrogenation in a reactor at temperatures in the range from 300 to 1000.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst which is introduced into the reactor with the aid of a carrier gas to give a product gas mixture, wherein the formaldehyde is separated from the product gas mixture and at least part of the remaining product gas mixture is recirculate...

In converting an alkene such as ethylene to a carbonyl derivative such as acetaldehyde by a process which comprises passing the alkene through a tubular reactor along with an aqueous acidic catalyst solution comprising a noble metal such as palladium together with a cupric chloride redox agent, followed by separating the carbonyl product from the depleted catalyst solution which is then reoxidized with a source of molecular oxygen such as air prior to being returned to the reactor, continuous de...

A process for the post-purification in particular of pyrolysis gases for preparing pure formaldehyde, hemiformal being pyrolyzed in an evaporator, the resulting formaldehyde vapor being passed through a condensed liquid component collected in the bottom area of the evaporator, the condensed liquid component being passed out as a falling film situated on the inner wall through a cooled outlet tube disposed in the bottom area of the evaporator and the formaldehyde vapor being passed through the co...

The process dehydrogenates methanol in the presence of a catalyst based on aluminum oxide, alkali metal aluminate and/or alkaline earth metal aluminate with the exclusion of oxygen at a temperature of 650.degree. to 1050.degree. C. in a reactor whose inner wall is composed entirely or partly of aluminum oxide. The process gives anhydrous formaldehyde which contains only very minor impurities.

Methods for stereospecific synthesis of 9-cis olefins and retinoids. In one particular aspect, a cis olefin is generated via a lactol ring opening with complete retention of double bond configuration.

Allene and substituted allenes react with certain specified nucleophiles including carboxylic acids, alcohols, water and hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a Group VIII noble metal salt catalyst, e.g., palladous acetate to give allyl and isopropenyl derivatives. The reaction may be carried out in the presence of a redox system as a copper salt which may optionally be regenerated by means of molecular oxygen.

Liquid acrolein, whose hazardous properties make handling difficult, is used to dose aqueous systems with acrolein in a biocidally effective concentration. Disclosed are agents which increase the ease and safety of acrolein handling and which are characterized by a content of 30 to 95% by weight acrolein and 5 to 70% by weight inorganic carrier materials. Silicas are the preferred carrier materials. The powdery or highly viscous mixture of substances will preferably exist in molded form and is a...