Methods for the preparation of alkenes including insect pheromones are described. The methods include homologation reactions employing reagents such as 1,3-diesters, epoxides, cyanoacetates, and cyanide salts for elongation of starting materials and intermediates by one or two carbon atoms. The alkenes include insect pheromones useful in a number of agricultural applications.

Methods for the preparation of alkenes including insect pheromones are described. The methods include homologation reactions employing reagents such as 1,3-diesters, epoxides, cyanoacetates, and cyanide salts for elongation of starting materials and intermediates by one or two carbon atoms. The alkenes include insect pheromones useful in a number of agricultural applications.

The invention relates to a process for producing a product gas comprising acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from a feed stream comprising ammonia and methanol over a solid catalyst comprising a support, a first metal and a second metal on the support, wherein the first metal and the second metal are in the form of a chemical compound, wherein the first metal is Fe, Ru or Co and the second metal is Sn, Zn, or Ge. The pressure is ambient pressure or higher and the temperature lies in a range from about 400 C. to about 700 C. Thus, the process for producing acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from ammonia and methanol may be catalyzed by a single catalyst and may be carried out in a single reactor. The invention also relates to a catalyst, a method for activating a catalyst and use of a catalyst for catalysing production of acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from ammonia and methanol.

The invention relates to a process for producing a product gas comprising acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from a feed stream comprising ammonia and methanol over a solid catalyst comprising a support, a first metal and a second metal on the support, wherein the first metal and the second metal are in the form of a chemical compound, wherein the first metal is Fe, Ru or Co and the second metal is Sn, Zn, or Ge. The pressure is ambient pressure or higher and the temperature lies in a range from about 400 C. to about 700 C. Thus, the process for producing acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from ammonia and methanol may be catalyzed by a single catalyst and may be carried out in a single reactor. The invention also relates to a catalyst, a method for activating a catalyst and use of a catalyst for catalysing production of acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from ammonia and methanol.

The invention relates to a process for producing a product gas comprising acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from a feed stream comprising ammonia and methanol over a solid catalyst comprising a support, a first metal and a second metal on the support, wherein the first metal and the second metal are in the form of a chemical compound, wherein the first metal is Fe, Ru or Co and the second metal is Sn, Zn, or Ge. The pressure is ambient pressure or higher and the temperature lies in a range from about 400 C. to about 700 C. Thus, the process for producing acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from ammonia and methanol may be catalyzed by a single catalyst and may be carried out in a single reactor. The invention also relates to a catalyst, a method for activating a catalyst and use of a catalyst for catalysing production of acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from ammonia and methanol.

A process for purifying ethylene cyanohydrin involves incubating an industrial grade ethylene cyanohydrin product with at least one titanium(IV)alkoxide. Ethylene cyanohydrin products with purities of >99% contain less than 0.05% of ethylene glycol (EG), and/or contain a water content of less than 1000 ppm.

A process for purifying ethylene cyanohydrin involves incubating an industrial grade ethylene cyanohydrin product with at least one titanium(IV)alkoxide. Ethylene cyanohydrin products with purities of >99% contain less than 0.05% of ethylene glycol (EG), and/or contain a water content of less than 1000 ppm.

One embodiment provides a method of preparing a phthalonitrile-based compound, including: (a) preparing a mixture including a phthalic acid-based compound and a nitrile-based compound; and (b) reacting the mixture, wherein step (b) is performed under supercritical conditions of the nitrile-based compound.

One embodiment provides a method of preparing a phthalonitrile-based compound, including: (a) preparing a mixture including a phthalic acid-based compound and a nitrile-based compound; and (b) reacting the mixture, wherein step (b) is performed under supercritical conditions of the nitrile-based compound.

A composition derived from the acid treatment of ashes obtained after heat treatment of selected plants or plant material is provided. The selected plants accumulate metal from the platinum group (platinoids). The compositions can be used to produce catalysts for performing various organic synthesis reactions.