Processes for producing nitriles and phosphorus-containing catalysts for use in such processes

A process for the hydrocyanation of an organic compound containing at least one olefinic group comprising reacting the organic compound with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalyst complex comprising at least one transition metal and a phosphorus-containing ligand comprising a calixarene backbone and at least two aryl phosphite or aryl phosphoramidite groups chemically bonded to the backbone,

• wherein, when at least two aryl phosphite groups are chemically bonded to the backbone, either:
• (i) the phosphorous atom of each aryl phosphite group is bonded to two adjacent benzene rings of the calixarene backbone through oxygen atoms of hydroxyl groups of the calixarene and each of the phosphorous atoms has an —OR2 substituent, wherein R2 is a phenyl ring substituted with 1-5 primary alkyl groups and all other carbon atoms are unsubstituted;
• or
• (ii) the phosphorus atom of each aryl phosphite group is bonded to one benzene ring of the calixarene backbone through an oxygen atom of hydroxyl groups of the calixarene and each of the phosphorous atoms has two —OR3 substituents, wherein R3 is an optionally substituted aryl group.

A process for double bond isomerization of a monoethylenically unsaturated compound comprising contacting said compound with a catalyst complex comprising at least one transition metal and a phosphorus-containing ligand comprising a calixarene backbone and at least two aryl phosphite or aryl phosphoramidite groups chemically bonded to the backbone,

• wherein, when at least two aryl phosphite groups are chemically bonded to the backbone, either:
• (i) the phosphorous atom of each aryl phosphite group is bonded to two adjacent benzene rings of the calixarene backbone through oxygen atoms of hydroxyl groups of the calixarene and each of the phosphorous atoms has an —OR2 substituent, wherein R2 is a phenyl ring substituted with 1-5 primary alkyl groups and all other carbon atoms are unsubstituted;
• or
• (ii) the phosphorus atom of each aryl phosphite group is bonded to one benzene ring of the calixarene backbone through an oxygen atom of hydroxyl groups of the calixarene and each of the phosphorous atoms has two —OR3 substituents, wherein R3 is an optionally substituted aryl group.