Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes and alkylaromatic hydrocarbons is achieved by contact with an active carbon catalyst. In various aspects of the invention, the oxidative dehydrogenation is performed at a pressure above about 100 psia, and/or at a temperature in the range from about 500.degree. C. to about 800.degree. C., and/or the active carbon catalyst contains a metal, for example, molybdenum.

Abstract: New chemical compounds, bis(pyrrol-2-yl)halocarbylmethanes, also known as meso-halocarbyl dipyrromethanes, are made by recting pyrrole in either of two reaction schemes. Once such scheme converts pyrrole through an intermediate, a halocarbyl carbonyl pyrrole, to a 2-(1-hydroxyl-1-hydro-1-halocarbyl)pyrrole!, and then converts the latter to the desired halocarbyldipyrromethane; the last step in this scheme is a novel and useful method in itself. The other such sequence converts pyrrole, by reaction with a halocarbyl aldehyde, directly to the desired halocarbyl dipyrromethane.

Abstract: A naphtha upgrading process is provided which process utilizes a sulfated solid catalyst comprising (1) oxide or hydroxide of Group III or Group IV element, e.g. zirconium, and (2) a first metal comprising a metal or combination of metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, nickel, platinum and rhenium, and platinum and tin. The sulfated support is calcined prior to incorporation of the first metal and subsequent to said incorporation. The catalyst may further comprise (3) a second metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIII elements, e.g. iron. One embodiment of the invention further comprises (4) a third metal selected from the group consisting of Group V, VI and VII elements, e.g. manganese. Said second and third metals are added prior to the first calcination.

Abstract: A hydrocracking process is provided which process utilizes a sulfated solid catalyst comprising (1) oxide or hydroxide of Group III or Group IV element, e.g. zirconium, and (2) a first metal comprising a metal or combination of metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, nickel, platinum and rhenium, and platinum and tin. The catalyst may further comprise (3) a second metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIII elements, e.g. iron. One embodiment of the invention further comprises (4) a third metal selected from the group consisting of Group V, VI and VII elements, e.g. manganese.

Abstract: Isoparaffins and olefins are alkylated by contact with a solid superacid such as sulfated zirconia optionally containing added metals, and containing added heteropolyacids (HPA's) or polyoxoanions (POA's). The presence of HPA's or POA's in the solid superacid catalyst results in higher yields of desired high-octane components in the product mixture than are obtained in the absence of HPA's or POA's.

Abstract: Isoparaffins and olefins are alkylated in the liquid phase by contact with a solid superacid such as sulfated zirconia containing heteropolyacids or polyoxoanions. High octane number blending components for motor fuel and other valuable products are obtained, with important advantages over processes using liquid acid catalysts, and over vapor phase alkylation with solid superacid catalysts.

Abstract: The invention provides novel methods for the oxidation of hydrocarbons with oxygen-containing gas to form hydroxy-group containing compounds and for the decomposition of hydroperoxides to form hydroxygroup containing compounds. The catalysts used in the methods of the invention comprise transition metal complexes of a porphyrin ring having 1 to 12 halogen substituents on the porphyrin ring, at least one of said halogens being in a meso position and/or the catalyst containing no aryl group in a meso position. The catalyst compositions are prepared by halogenating a transition metal complex of a porphyrin.

Abstract: Organic compounds are dehydrogenated by contact with a catalyst prepared by oxidizing and then sulfiding a composition comprising Group VIIIA (first or second row) catalytic metal on a nonacidic porous support, for example alumina, to produce compositions which have good dispersion of a catalytically active metal component and of sulfide species over the surface of the compositions and high activity as catalysts for the dehydrogenation of organic compounds. In one embodiment of the invention the catalyst used in the process of the invention has ratios of nickel, and/or sulfide species to peak areas of aluminum in the support, as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which improve their activity and stability for use as dehydrogenation catalysts.

Abstract: Transition metal complexes of Gable porphyrins having two porphyrin rings connected through a linking group, and having on the porphyrin rings electron-withdrawing groups, such as halogen, nitro or cyano. These complexes are useful as catalysts for the oxidation of organic compounds, e.g. alkanes.

Abstract: Solid superacid catalyst, for example sulfated zirconia, is used in the oxidative dehydrogenation of saturated or partially saturated hydrocarbons, for example the conversion of isobutane to isobutylene in the presence of an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent at reaction conditions typically including temperatures from 500 to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, superatmospheric pressures, and oxygen/alkane molar ratios from 0.2 to 20. Performance of a metal-oxide or metal-hydroxide oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst may be enhanced by pretreating a solid superacid or other catalyst containing metal oxides or hydroxides at a carbonizing temperature with an organic material, for example an oxygen-containing organic material, to form a carbonaceous layer on the surface thereof prior to use of the catalyst in oxidative dehydrogenation.

Abstract: Compositions of matter comprising sulfided nickel and nonacidic alumina, and having certain ratios of specific peak areas for nickel, for aluminum, for sulfide ion and/or for cesium, as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, are useful as catalysts for dehydrogenation of organic compounds, and are superior as such catalysts to otherwise similar compositions not having such ratios.

Abstract: The process of the invention comprises oxidizing and then sulfiding materials comprising Group VIA or Group VIIIA (first or second row) catalytic metal on a nonacidic porous support, to produce compositions which have good dispersion of a catalytically active metal component and of sulfide species over the surface of the compositions and high activity as catalysts for the dehydrogenation of organic compounds.

Abstract: Alkanes are dehydrogenated by passage through alternating dehydrogenation zones and selective oxidation zone(s), in which latter zone(s) hydrogen produced in the preceding endothermic dehydrogenation reaction is selectively oxidized to generate heat for the succeeding dehydrogenation reaction. New catalyst compositions are prepared comprising reduced and sulfided nickel crystallites on siliceous supports which have been treated with chromium compounds and oxidized to provide surface-anchored chromyl species. Also new catalyst compositions are prepared by sulfiding nickel-containing compositions with carbonaceous sulfur compounds such as dialkylsulfoxides. Another embodiment of the invention is catalyst and dehydrogenation therewith, in which pores having radius of 50 to 200 Angstroms occupy pore volume from 0.30 to 1.50 ml per gram of the support, and pores having radius of 20 to 50 Angstroms occupy pore volume less than 0.1 ml per gram of the support.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are provided for oxidation of oxidation of organic compounds in which a reaction zone is provided, containing an open space and a bed of solid granular catalyst, an organic feedstock and oxygen are passed in gas phase through the open space and then into contact with the catalyst bed, and reaction products are removed from the open space after relatively less contact with the catalyst, and from at least one other location after relatively greater contact with the catalyst. Greater yield of desired product may be obtained in such operation than in operation where all of the reaction products are removed after the greater contact with the catalyst.

Abstract: Organic hydroperoxides are decomposed by drying a reaction mixture containing the organic hydroperoxide and an organic solvent and contacting the dried reaction mixture with a metal organic ligand catalyst under hydroperoxide decomposition conditions. An organic co-solvent for the hydroperoxide may also be used.

Abstract: Barium peroxide in which has been incorporated a transition metal compound is used as a catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of organic compounds in the presence of terminal oxidants.

Abstract: New compositions of matter comprising cyano-substituted metal complexes of porphyrins are catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes. The metal is iron, chromium, manganese, ruthenium, copper or cobalt. The porphyrin ring has cyano groups attached thereto in meso and/or .beta.-pyrrolic positions.

Abstract: A process for regeneration of spent sulfated and calcined solid superacid catalyst is disclosed. Said process comprises heating said catalyst to a temperature of approximately 450.degree. C. and contacting said catalyst with a gas stream comprising oxygen or air and sulfur dioxide. This regeneration process can be performed in situ.

Abstract: As a new composition of matter, alkali metal or ammonium or tetraalkylammonium diazidoperfluorophthalocyanatoferrate. Other embodiments of the invention comprise compositions wherein the metal of the coordination complex is cobalt, manganese and chromium.

Abstract: Hydroperoxides are decomposed by contact with metalloporphyrin coordination complex catalysts in which hydrogen in the porphyrin molecule has been substituted with at least one nitro group and may be further substituted with other electron-withdrawing elements or groups, for example, halogen or halocarbons, or with hydrocarbon groups. Preferred catalysts are iron tetranitro-.beta.-octaethylporphyrins and iron tetrakispentafluorophenyl-.beta.-nitroporphyrins.