A catalytic compound of formula I, II, or III is described; wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu; R.sup.1, N is an integer from 1 to 3; R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are independently selected from lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, C.sub.5-C.sub.8 aryl, and NR.sup.6.sub.2, wherein R.sup.6 is CH.sub.3 or C.sub.2H.sub.5; and R.sup.5 is selected from H, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, and benzylic. Methods of using the compound to catalyze the formation of polylactides, and polylactides prepared using these methods are also described.

Processes for preparing supported gold nanoparticle catalysts are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the process includes adding a solution of a phosphorus compound to a solution of chloro (dimethyl sulfide) gold (I) to obtain a solution of chloro (phosphorus compound) gold (I) complex, adding the solution of chloro (phosphorus compound) gold (I) complex to a solution of silver nitrate to obtain a solution of nitro (phosphorus compound) gold (I) complex, applying the solution of nitro (phosphorus compound) gold (I) complex to a metal hydroxide support, drying the metal hydroxide support; and calcining the dried metal hydroxide support to form the supported gold nanoparticle catalyst. Supported gold nanoparticle catalysts prepared by the process and processes for oxidizing ethylene to ethylene oxide in the presence of the supported gold nanoparticle catalysts are also provided.

Processes for producing acetic acid herein generally include contacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a reaction medium under carbonylation conditions sufficient to form acetic acid, the reaction medium including a carbonylation catalyst selected from rhodium catalysts, iridium catalysts and palladium catalysts; from 1 wt. % to 14 wt. % water; and a plurality of additives, in-situ generated derivatives of the plurality of additives or combinations thereof; the plurality of additives including a first additive including one or more phosphine oxides and a second additive selected from heteropolyacids, metal salts and combinations thereof, the heteropolyacids represented by the formula H.sub.nM.sub.12XO.sub.40, wherein H is hydrogen, M is selected from tungsten and molybdenum, X is selected from phosphorous and silicon and O is oxygen and n is 3 or 4, the metal salts are selected from transition metal salts, lanthanide metal salts and combinations thereof; and recovering acetic acid from the process.

An eggshell type catalyst, and a preparation method and application thereof in propylene hydroformylation reaction are provided. The eggshell type catalyst uses phosphine ligand resin pellets with developed pore structure as a carrier and one, two or more than two of metals Rh, Co, Ir, Ru and Pd as active components. The spatial distribution of the active metal components in the resin pellets is effectively regulated through a method of finely regulating the porous channel structure of the carrier resin pellets and adding competitive adsorption and coordination, so that the prepared eggshell type catalyst has the characteristics of high activity in the propylene hydroformylation reaction and good selectivity of n-butyraldehyde in the product aldehyde.