Abstract: Described is a method for the preparation of a chromium-free catalyst comprising Cu and at least one second metal in metallic or oxidic form, comprising the steps of a) preparing a final solution comprising ions of Cu and of at least one second metal, said final solution additionally comprising ions of a complexing agent and having a pH of above 5; b) contacting said final solution with inert carrier to form a final solution/carrier combination; c) optionally, drying the final solution/carrier combination; d) calcining the final solution/carrier combination obtained in step c) or d) to yield Cu and the at least one second metal in oxidic form; and e) reducing at least part of the thus obtained oxidic Cu on the carrier Further, a catalyst obtainable by the said method as well as uses thereof are described

Abstract: Described is a method for the preparation of Mo—V—Te—Nb catalyst comprising the steps of a) preparing a slurry comprising ionic species of Mo, V, Te and Nb and an inert carrier by combining the inert carrier in ceramic form with one or more solutions comprising the above metal ionic species; b) drying of the slurry to obtain a particulate product; c) precalcining the dried particulate product at a temperature of 150-350° C. in an oxygen-containing atmosphere; d) calcining the precalcined dried particulate product at a temperature of 350-750° C. in an inert atmosphere to obtain the catalyst. Further, a catalyst obtainable by the said method as well as uses thereof are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a catalyst or pre-catalyst suitable for assisting in the production of alkenyl alkanoates. The method includes contacting a modifier precursor to a support material to form a modified support material. One or more catalytic component precursors (palladium or gold) may be contacted to the modified support material. The atomic ratio of gold to palladium is preferably in the range of about 0.3 to about 0.90. The support materials with the catalytic component may then be reduced using a reducing environment. A composition for catalyzing the production of an alkenyl alkanoates including a modified support material with palladium and gold is also included within the invention. Catalysts of the present invention may be used to produce alkenyl alkanoates in general and vinyl acetate in particular and are useful to produce low EA/VA ratios while maintaining or improving CO2 selectivity.

Abstract: A system for the preparation and handling of multiple solid state samples, in particular for spectroscopic and microscopic analysis. The system comprises a sample holder assembly for multiple solid-state samples. The sample holder assembly comprises a sample holding body having first and second sides (3a, 4a), provided with multiple sample receiving open-ended bores (5) extending through said body between said first and second sides, each bore (5) having a first opening at the first side and a second opening at the second side. Furthermore a closure body (10) is provided adapted to be mounted against the second side of the sample holding body, said closure body (10) having a closure side adapted to rest against the second side of the sample holding body for closing off the second openings of the bores (5) in said sample holding body. Compacting (23) means are provided for compacting samples filled in bores (5) of the sample holding body as these bores are closed off on the second side by the closure body.