A catalyst system includes a transition metal salt containing a halo group, an acetate group, or a combination thereof, and an organic phosphine ligand. The molar ratio of the organic phosphine ligand to the transition metal salt is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 50.

The present invention provides a process for preparing aldehydes from C2 to C20 olefins using a subsequent membrane separation to separate the homogeneously dissolved catalyst system, wherein prior to the membrane separation a gas exchange that increases the partial pressure fraction of carbon monoxide or hydrogen is carried out in order to boost catalyst retention by the membrane.

The present invention discloses a diphenylamine-linked chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand without C.sub.2-symmetry of formula 3 and its synthesis method and application in an asymmetric catalytic reaction, wherein C.sub.2-symmetry is lost by introducing different groups into the diphenylamine backbone to realize precise control of “electronic effect” of the ligand backbone. An anthranilic acid derivative and an orthochlorobenzoic acid derivative are used as starting materials to prepare a compound of formula 1, and then the compound of formula 1 is reacted with a chiral amino alcohol compound to prepare a β-bishydroxy amide compound of formula 2, and the compound of formula 2 is further subjected to condensation to obtain the diphenylamine-linked chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand without C.sub.2-symmetry of formula 3. The present invention also provides an application of a catalyst formed by coordination of the diphenylamine-linked chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand without C.sub.2-symmetry with copper salt, zinc salt, nickel salt, iron salt or rhodium salt, in an asymmetric catalytic reaction.

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Methods for preparing isotopically modified 1,4-diene systems from non-isotopically modified 1,4-dienes involve selective oxidation of one or more bis-allylic position(s), or the preparation of isotopically modified 1,4-diene systems via trapping pi-allylic complexes with a source of deuterium or tritium. Such methods are useful for preparing isotopically modified polyunsaturated lipid including polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acid derivatives.

A process for producing isomerized olefins, branched aldehydes, branched alcohols, branched surfactants and other branched derivatives through isomerization, hydroformylation, hydrogenation, surfactant forming reactions and other derivative forming reactions.

A process for producing isomerized olefins, branched aldehydes, branched alcohols and branched surfactants through isomerization, hydroformylation, hydrogenation and surfactant forming reactions.

A process for producing branched alcohols through isomerization, hydroformylation and hydrogenation.

A reactor for performing a gas/liquid biphasic high-pressure reaction with a foaming medium, comprising an interior formed by a cylindrical, vertically oriented elongate shell, a bottom and a cap, wherein the interior is divided by internals into a backmixed zone and a zone of limited backmixing, wherein the backmixed zone and the zone of limited backmixing are consecutively traversable by the reaction mixture, wherein the backmixed zone comprises means for introducing gas and liquid and a gas outlet and also comprises at least one mixing apparatus selected from a stirrer, a jet nozzle and means for injecting the gas, and the zone of limited backmixing comprises a reaction product outlet, a first cylindrical internal element which in the interior extends in the longitudinal direction of the reactor and which delimits the zone of limited backmixing from the backmixed zone, backmixing-preventing second internal elements in the form of random packings, structured packings or liquid-permeable trays arranged in the zone of limited backmixing and a riser tube whose lower end is arranged within the backmixed zone and whose upper end opens into the zone of limited backmixing so that liquid from the backmixed zone can ascend into the zone of limited backmixing via the riser tube, wherein flow into the zone of limited backmixing enters from below. The reactor is configured such that the high-pressure reaction space is optimally utilized and contamination of workup steps or subsequent reactions arranged downstream of the high-pressure reaction with foam is substantially avoided. The invention further relates to a process for performing a continuous gas/liquid biphasic high-pressure reaction in the reactor.

There is provided a novel optically active bisphosphinomethane useful as a ligand for an asymmetric catalyst, excellent in oxidation resistance in air, and easy in handling. There is also provided a transition metal complex using the optically active bisphosphinoraethane having excellent asymmetric catalytic ability as a ligand. The optically active bisphosphinomethane is represented by the general formula (1), and the transition metal complex has the optically active bisphosphinomethane as a ligand.

##STR00001##

(In the formula, R.sup.1 represents an adamantyl group; R.sup.2 represents a branched alkyl group having 3 or more carbon atoms; and * represents an asymmetric center on a phosphorus atom.)

A process of co-feeding gaseous ethylene with liquid allyl alcohol in the presence of a catalyst to produce 1,4-butanediol and n-propanol may include: introducing a gaseous mixture of ethylene, carbon monoxide and hydrogen into a reactor in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst in a solvent; introducing liquid allyl alcohol (AA) into the reactor; and carrying out hydroformylation reaction at a temperature between 50 and 100° C. to obtain hydroformylation products.