Patents by Inventor John A. Sofranko

John A. Sofranko has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Preparation of .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyric acid using a thallic halide catalyst
    Patent number: 4450293
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyric acid by the catalytic oxidation of isobutyric acid with oxygen in an aqueous solution in the presence of a TlCl.sub.3 or TlBr.sub.3 catalyst and a Cu, Sn, or Fe halide compound as a redox agent. Optionally alkali metal halides may be employed to promote catalysis and control the halide concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: John A. Sofranko, John J. Leonard
  • Oxidation of isobutyric acid to alpha-hydroxyisobutyric acid
    Patent number: 4448985
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of alpha-hydroxyisobutyric acid by the stoichiometric oxidation of isobutyric acid in aqueous solution at temperatures of from about 50.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. in the presence of a thallic (Tl.sup.+3) salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: John A. Sofranko, John J. Leonard
  • Preparation of dialkyl oxalates by the oxidative carbonylation of alcohols with a heterogeneous Pd-V-P-Ti containing catalyst system
    Patent number: 4447638
    Abstract: Synthesis of dialkyl oxalates by the heterogeneous catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of liquid monohydric saturated alcohols of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms with carbon monoxide and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalytic amount of a catalyst comprising palladium or a salt thereof in combination with a crystalline vanadium-phosphorus-titanium containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Anne M. Gaffney, John A. Sofranko
  • Oxidative carbonylation of alcohols to dialkyl oxalates using a heterogeneous iron promoted Pd-V-P catalyst
    Patent number: 4447639
    Abstract: Synthesis of dialkyl oxalates by the heterogeneous catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of liquid monohydric saturated alcohols of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms with carbon monoxide and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalytic amount of a catalyst comprising palladium or a salt thereof in combination with a crystalline vanadium-phosphorus-iron containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: John A. Sofranko, Anne M. Gaffney
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4444984
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of tin at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of tin is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide SnO.sub.2 is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4443645
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of germanium at a temperature of 500.degree. to 800.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of germanium is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide GeO.sub.2 is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4443646
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of bismuth at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 850.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of bismuth is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 is a particularly effective solid synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4443647
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of lead at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of lead is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide PbO is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4443648
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of indium at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 850.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of indium is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide In.sub.2 O.sub.3 is a particularly effective solid synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4443644
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of antimony at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of antimony is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko
  • Methane conversion
    Patent number: 4443649
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of manganese at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of manganese is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide Mn.sub.3 O.sub.4 is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: C. Andrew Jones, John J. Leonard, John A. Sofranko