Around 30 years ago the transition metal chemistry received great impulses. In the focus have been reactions of nickel and cobalt and herein especially their carbonyls. Also industrial processes have been developed. When the technical oxidation of ethylene with palladium chloride had been discovered, and a great number oflaboratory reactions, many groups have turned towards this subject. Apart from two important industrial processes - acetaldehyde and vinylacetate from ethylene - a great number of conversions and catalytic reactions with palladium compounds have been researched. Their mechanisms have been cleared up and have con tributed to a better understanding of the complex chemistry of palladium. Last but not least these reactions have also served for more understanding of organic transition metal compounds and catalyses in general. Numerous conventional reactions appear today in a different light. The effects of co-
