A process for producing methanol includes combining a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO.sub.2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methanol and water. A process for coproduction of methanol and a glycol includes combining an epoxide, a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO.sub.2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methanol and a glycol.

The invention relates to ylide-functionalized phosphane ligands, the production of same and use in transition metal compounds, as well as the use of same as catalysts in organic reactions.

A process for producing methanol includes combining a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO.sub.2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methanol and water. A process for coproduction of methanol and a glycol includes combining an epoxide, a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO.sub.2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methanol and a glycol.

A process for producing methanol includes combining a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO.sub.2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methanol and water. A process for coproduction of methanol and a glycol includes combining an epoxide, a hydrogenation catalyst, hydrogen, and CO.sub.2 with a condensed phase solution comprising an amine under conditions effective to form methanol and a glycol.

Provided is a one-pot process for preparing propionic acid, which comprises (i) treating ethylene with a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkanol, water, and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising the reaction product of (a) a Group 8 to 10 transition metal compound such as a palladium or ruthenium compound; and (b) an activating anion, at elevated temperature and pressure. The process also provides a facile, continuous process for the preparation of propionic acid via the alkoxycarbonylation of ethylene at elevated temperature and pressure followed by hydrolysis, in one reaction vessel.

Provided is a one-pot process for preparing propionic acid, which comprises (i) treating ethylene with a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkanol, water, and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising the reaction product of (a) a Group 8 to 10 transition metal compound such as a palladium or ruthenium compound; and (b) an activating anion, at elevated temperature and pressure. The process also provides a facile, continuous process for the preparation of propionic acid via the alkoxycarbonylation of ethylene at elevated temperature and pressure followed by hydrolysis, in one reaction vessel.

The present invention relates to a catalyst precursor for forming a molybdenum disulfide catalyst through a reaction with sulfur in heavy oil and to a method for hydrocracking heavy oil by using same. According to the present invention, the yield of a low-boiling liquid product with a high economic value in the products by heavy oil cracking can be increased, and the yield of a relatively uneconomical gas product or coke (toluene insoluble component), which is a byproduct, can be significantly lowered.

The present invention relates to the use of a transition metal catalyst TMC1, which comprises a transition metal M selected from metals of groups 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the periodic table of elements according to IUPAC and a tetradentate ligand of formula I wherein R.sup.1 are identical or different and are each an organic radical having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, and R.sup.2 are identical or different and are each an organic radical having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, as catalyst in processes for formation of compounds comprising at least one carboxylic acid ester functional group OC(O) starting from at least one primary alcohol and/or hydrogenation of compounds comprising at least one carboxylic acid ester functional group OC(O). The present invention further relates to a process for hydrogenation of a compound comprising at least one carboxylic acid ester functional group OC(O), to a process for the formation of a compound comprising at least one carboxylic acid ester functional group OC(O) by dehydrogenase coupling of at least one primary alcohol with a second alcoholic OH-group, to a transition metal complex comprising the tetradentate ligand of formula I and to a process for preparing said transition metal complex.

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A catalytic reaction of ethylene oxide (EO) coupling with syngas to produce 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) is disclosed. The catalytic reaction of EO, carbon monoxide and the alcohol uses a N,O-ligand coordinated metal complex catalyst. The reaction is carried out in an organic solvent in the presence of an additive at the temperature of 30-190 C. and the CO pressure of 1-150 atm for 0.1-200 h to prepare 3-hydroxypropinate (3HP). The catalytic reaction of 3HP with dihydrogen uses a copper-containing mixed metal silicon oxide catalyst with a molecular formula of M.sub.uCu.sub.vSi.sub.yO.sub.z. The reaction is carried out at 80-400 C. and 20-150 atm for 0.1-200 h to prepare the 1,3-PDO. The yield of the 1,3-PDO can reach to 73%. The alcohol byproduct generated in the second step catalytic hydrogenation reaction can be recycled to use for the first step catalytic reaction by the ring opening-carbonylation-esterification.

A catalytic reaction of ethylene oxide (EO) coupling with syngas to produce 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) is disclosed. The catalytic reaction of EO, carbon monoxide and the alcohol uses a N,O-ligand coordinated metal complex catalyst. The reaction is carried out in an organic solvent in the presence of an additive at the temperature of 30-190 C. and the CO pressure of 1-150 atm for 0.1-200 h to prepare 3-hydroxypropinate (3HP). The catalytic reaction of 3HP with dihydrogen uses a copper-containing mixed metal silicon oxide catalyst with a molecular formula of M.sub.uCu.sub.vSi.sub.yO.sub.z. The reaction is carried out at 80-400 C. and 20-150 atm for 0.1-200 h to prepare the 1,3-PDO. The yield of the 1,3-PDO can reach to 73%. The alcohol byproduct generated in the second step catalytic hydrogenation reaction can be recycled to use for the first step catalytic reaction by the ring opening-carbonylation-esterification.