Preparation of improved nickel-containing catalyst and process for conversion of alcohols to carboxylic acids therewith

In a process for the preparation of an improved nickel-containing catalyst suitable for the conversion of alcohols to the corresponding carboxylic acids which involves combining a nickel compound, an N-containing organic compound and an iodine promoter, bringing the combination into contact with an alcohol in the presence of carbon monoxide and subjecting the mixture to a temperature and pressure sufficient to initiate carbonylation of the alcohol and the instantaneous production in situ of said catalyst as an interactive composite of the nickel compound, N-containing organic compound and iodine promoter, the improvement comprising employing isoquinoline as the N-containing organic compound.