Abstract: A catalyst support consisting mainly of synthetic silica, with 0.5-10 parts by weight of one or more oxides or phosphates of the elements of group IIA, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, VIII, IB, IIB, IIIA, IVA and the lanthanides characterised in that the support preparation method comprises mixing particulate synthetic silica with particulate oxides or phospates of the elements of Groups IIA, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, VIII, IB, IIB, IIIA, IVA and the lanthanides, or with precursors thereof, a forming step and calcination. The catalyst support is used together with phosphoric acid in the production of alcohols from olefins by hydration.

Abstract: Moldings based on pyrogenic silicon dioxide with a pore volume of 0.5 to 1.8 ml/g are prepared by homogenizing pyrogenic silicon dioxide with methylhydroxyethyl cellulose, wax and polyethylene glycol with the addition of water, subjecting this mixture to a compounding and shaping process, extruding, optionally cutting the extrudate to the desired length using a cutting device, drying at a temperature of 70° to 150° C. and conditioning for a period of 30 minutes to 10 hours at a temperature of 400° to 1200° C. The moldings may be used as catalysts or catalyst supports for the preparation of vinyl acetate monomer, the hydration of ethylene and the hydration of propylene.

Abstract: Moldings based on silica having a hollow cylindrical configuration with internal reinforcing stays or spokes leading from an inner wall of a hollow cylinder to the center of the molding or in the form of miniliths having passageway channels therethrough, are produced by homogenizing silica with methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, wax and/or polyethylene glycol. Water and optionally aqueous alkaline ammonia solution are added, and the mixture is subjected to kneading and forming, extruding, optionally cutting the extrudate to the desired length by means of a cutting device, drying at a temperature from 20 to 150° C., and annealing for a period from 30 minutes to 10 hours at a temperature of 400 to 1200° C. The moldings can be used as catalyst supports for the production of unsaturated esters from olefins, organic acids and oxygen in the gas phase and and can be used in particular for the production of vinyl acetate monomer.

Abstract: Compacts based on pyrogenically produced silicon dioxide and having the following physical and chemical characteristics: Outer diameter 0.8-20 mm BET surface area 30-400 m2/g Pore volume 0.5-1.3 ml/g Breaking strength 10-250N Composition >99.8 wt. % SiO2 Other constituents <0.2 wt. % Abrasion <5 wt. % Apparent weight 350-750 g/l are produced in that pyrogenically produced silicon dioxide is homogenized with methyl cellulose, microwax and polyethylene glycol with addition of water, dried at a temperature of 80-150° C. and comminuted to a powder, optionally the powder is compressed into compacts, and heat-treated at a temperature of 400 to 1200° C. for a time of 0.5 to 8 hours. These compacts can be used as catalysts or catalyst carriers in vinyl acetate monomer production and ethylene hydration.

Abstract: A phosphoric acid catalyst on a shaped, inorganic support and its use for the hydration of olefins. At least 90 wt. % of the catalyst support consists of titanium dioxide and/or zirconium dioxide and has outstanding ageing stability under the hydrothermal conditions existing during hydration processes.