Carbonylation of olefinically unsaturated compounds

A process for the production of predominantly branched chain esters and amides in the liquid phase comprising contacting acrylonitrile with carbon monoxide and a compound containing a replaceable hydrogen atom represented by the formula H-Y

• wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of:
• (1) OR.sub.5 wherein R.sub.5 is a C.sub.1-30 alkyl;
• and
• (2) ##STR5## wherein R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 are each independently selected from C.sub.1-10 alkyls;
• in the presence of H.sub.2 in an amount less than 10% by volume of total H.sub.2 and carbon monoxide present, and in the presence of a catalyst comprising a polyamine promoter ligand and at least one of cobalt carbonyl and ruthenium carbonyl, said polyamine promoter ligand being selected from the group consisting of alkyl-substituted and unsubstituted alkylenediamines, methyl-substituted and unsubstituted phenylenediamines, diazobicyclo (2.2.2) octane and polyvinylpyrrolidone, and wherein the process is conducted at a temperature of about 50.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. and a pressure of between about 100 and 2500 psi, and wherein the molar ratio of HY to said olefinically unsaturated compound is about 0.5-100:1.