Patents by Inventor Robert K. Grasselli

Robert K. Grasselli 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).

  • Patent number: 4604244
    Abstract: Disclosed is the reaction of propylene with acrylonitrile or acrylamide to make a cyano- or amidopentene and reacting that compound with NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 to form mucononitrile or 5-cyano-2,4-pentadiene amide. Also disclosed is a process which comprises contacting a reactant of the formula H--(CH.sub.2).sub.a --(CH.dbd.CH)--(CH.sub.2).sub.b X with oxygen and ammonia to thereby form a product of the formula NC--CH.dbd.CH--CH.dbd.CH--X wherein X is --CN or --CONH.sub.2 and each of a and b are zero or an integer from 1 to 3 such that a+b=3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: James D. Burrington, Robert K. Grasselli, Craig T. Kartisek
  • Patent number: 4585617
    Abstract: Amorphous metal alloy compositions are synthesized by solid state incorporation/reduction reactions wherein a high-surface area support is brought in contact with a precursor metal-bearing compound in such a manner that the compound is incorporated into the support or caused to deposit metal onto the surface of the support. The composition obtained is an amorphous alloy composition or can be made so by heat treating at a temperature below the crystallization temperature of the amorphous metal alloy desired to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Tenhover, Richard S. Henderson, Robert K. Grasselli
  • Patent number: 4571290
    Abstract: A process for the selective oxidation of olefins comprises the steps of forming a suspension of semiconductor powder in a solvent media, adding an olefin to the solvent media in the presence of an oxidant to form a mixture and, photochemically activating the mixture with illumination having an energy at least equal to the band gap of the semiconductor powder wherein the selectivity is controlled by the selection of A, of the solvent and of the oxidant. The process is one carried out at about ambient temperature and with gentle agitation. The semiconductor powder has the general formula A.sub.x B.sub.y C.sub.z where A is selected from Bi, Sn, Pt, Pd, Cu, Fe, W, V, Sb, Mo, Ru or Ag and mixtures thereof; B is Te, Sb, Ti, Cd, Mo, V or W and mixtures thereof; C is O or S; x equals 0 to 5; y equals 1 to 3; and z is a number necessary to satisfy the other elements, and is optionally metallized by an element selected from Pt, Pd, Cu or Ag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company (Ohio)
    Inventors: Michael D. Ward, James F. Brazdil, Jr., Robert K. Grasselli
  • Patent number: 4571443
    Abstract: Certain benzylic and allylic compounds are catalytically oxidatively dehydrodimerized wherein the molecular oxygen oxidant is separated from the substrate by a gas impervious catalyst membrane that conducts oxide ions from the surface of the catalyst membrane wall to the opposite surface thereof which is in contact with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, James D. Burrington, Robert K. Grasselli
  • Patent number: 4560454
    Abstract: A process for the generation of halogens from halide-containing solutions includes the step of conducting electrolysis of the solutions in an electrolytic cell having a platinum based amorphous metal alloy anode having the formulaPt.sub.p A.sub.a D.sub.dwhereA is Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Os, Cu, Ni, Ag, V, Au and mixtures thereof;D is B, Si, Al, Ge, P, As, Sb, Sn and mixtures thereof;p ranges from about 40 to 92;a ranges from about 0 to 40; andd ranges from about 8 to 60, with the proviso that p+a+d=100.Such amorphous metal alloy anodes are also based on the formulaPt.sub.p E.sub.e F.sub.fwhereE is Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Os, Ir, Cu, Ni, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ti, Ru, Nb, V, Ta, Au and mixtures thereof;F is B, Al, Ge, As, Sb, Sn and mixtures thereof;p ranges from about 40 to 92;e ranges from about 0 to 40; andf ranges from about 8 to 60, with the proviso that p+e+f=100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company (Ohio)
    Inventors: Jonathan H. Harris, Michael A. Tenhover, Robert K. Grasselli, Michael D. Ward
  • Patent number: 4560730
    Abstract: This application discloses an improvement in the preparation of a ruthenium complex supported on an organic polymer, wherein the complex is added to the support over an extended period of time rather than all at once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: James D. Burrington, Robert K. Grasselli, Fred Pesa, Elizabeth A. Maher
  • Patent number: 4557766
    Abstract: Amorphous metal alloy shapes are synthesized by providing an intimate mixture of the components of the amorphous alloy, which mixture includes at least one ductile component. The mixture may be subjected to well-known forming techniques at a temperature below the crystallization temperature of the amorphous metal alloy to be formed. The ductile component of the mixture acts as a binder matrix to provide strength and uniform properties to the formed object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Tenhover, Richard S. Henderson, Robert K. Grasselli
  • Patent number: 4556731
    Abstract: Iron-bismuth-molybdate catalysts further containing specific promoter elements have been found to exhibit excellent redox stability even under high stress conditions in the catalytic oxidation of olefins to unsaturated aldehydes and acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Andrew T. Guttmann, Robert K. Grasselli
  • Patent number: 4537624
    Abstract: Amorphous metal alloy powders are synthesized by solid state decomposition reactions. At least one precursor compound is thermally decomposed at a temperature below the crystallization temperature of the amorphous metal alloy to be formed. The decomposition product comprises an intimate mixture of the elements of the alloy and, after heat-treating if necessary, exhibits amorphous characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company (Ohio)
    Inventors: Michael A. Tenhover, Richard S. Henderson, Robert K. Grasselli
  • Patent number: 4532083
    Abstract: Certain multiply promoted Sn/Sb oxides are superior catalysts for the ammoxidation of olefins to the corresponding unsaturated nitriles, the selective oxidation of olefins to unsaturated aldehydes and acids, and the oxydehydrogenation of olefins to diolefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Dev D. Suresh, Robert K. Grasselli, James F. Brazdil, Frances I. Ratka
  • Patent number: 4526884
    Abstract: Catalyst composition and process are provided for the dimerization of acrylic compounds. An acrylic compound may be dimerized in the liquid phase by contacting an acrylic compound with a catalyst in the presence of hydrogen, at a pressure of least about 1 psi and a temperature of at least about 50.degree. C., wherein the catalyst comprises an organic polymer catalyst support, trivalent pendant atoms covalently bonded to the support, ruthenium complexed with said trivalent pendant atoms, and a second metal which is at least one of Pb and the Group VIII metals other than Ru and Pd and is disposed on the organic polymer catalyst support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Dean T. Tsou, James D. Burrington, Elizabeth A. Maher, Robert K. Grasselli
  • Patent number: 4519954
    Abstract: A catalyst and a liquid phase process are provided for the dimerization of acrylic compounds. The process includes contacting an acrylic compound with the catalyst in the presence of hydrogen, wherein the catalyst comprises an inorganic oxide catalyst support, trivalent pendant atoms covalently bonded to the support and ruthenium complexed with said trivalent pendant atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: James D. Burrington, Fred A. Pesa, Elizabeth A. Maher, Robert K. Grasselli
  • Patent number: 4503001
    Abstract: Monoolefins such as propylene and isobutylene are converted to the corresponding unsaturated nitriles, acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile, respectively, by reacting a mixture of the olefin, ammonia, and a molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst containing the oxides of iron, bismuth, molybdenum, and cobalt or nickel or both, and optionally an oxide of at least one element selected from the group consisting of the alkali metals, rare earth metals, tantalum and niobium, and optionally one or more of the oxides of the elements selected from the group consisting of phosphorus and arsenic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Standard Oil Company (Indiana)
    Inventors: Robert K. Grasselli, Arthur F. Miller, Harley F. Hardman
  • Patent number: 4495109
    Abstract: Certain catalysts containing iron, bismuth and molybdenum plus nickel, cobalt, manganese, magnesium, zinc, cadmium or calcium have been found to give especially large volumes of acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile in a given time when germanium, tin, copper, silver, chromium, ruthenium, titanium, tungsten and/or beryllium are incorporated into the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Grasselli, Dev D. Suresh, Arthur F. Miller
  • Patent number: 4485079
    Abstract: Promoted bismuth rare earth molybdenum oxide complexes are excellent catalysts for the ammoxidation of methanol to HCN especially at high methanol throughputs at contact times appropriate for fluid-bed operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: James F. Brazdil, Jr., Thomas G. Attig, Robert K. Grasselli
  • Patent number: 4473506
    Abstract: Oxide complex catalysts of iron, selenium and tellurium provide good yields of acrylonitrile in the ammoxidation of propylene with high selectivities at low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Company
    Inventors: James D. Burrington, James F. Brazdil, Robert K. Grasselli
  • Patent number: 4424141
    Abstract: Bismuth molybdate catalysts formed from a precatalyst slurry which uses an organic liquid or mixture of an organic liquid and water as the liquid medium of the slurry exhibit superior catalytic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Co.
    Inventors: Robert K. Grasselli, Dev D. Suresh, Maria S. Friedrich
  • Patent number: 4414134
    Abstract: An element selected from Groups IA, IB, IIB, IIIA and IIIB is incorporated into an iron bismuth molybdate oxide complex catalyst by impregnation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Co.
    Inventors: Maria S. Friedrich, Dev D. Suresh, Robert K. Grasselli
  • Patent number: 4413155
    Abstract: Oxide complex catalysts comprising Fe-Sb-Bi-O.sub.x promoted with a wide variety of different elements have been found to be especially useful in the ammoxidation of olefins to nitriles such as acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile. Not only are the desired nitriles obtained with high yields when these catalysts are used, but also the production of unwanted liquid byproducts such as acrolein, acrylic acid and acetonitrile is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Co.
    Inventors: Dev D. Suresh, Robert K. Grasselli, David A. Orndoff
  • Patent number: 4397771
    Abstract: The invention is an oxidation catalyst which contains at least a Group IIA or Group IIB element or manganese plus as required elements, chromium, bismuth and molybdenum. The catalysts can optionally contain a number of other elements and are useful for various oxidation reactions, especially the ammoxidation of propylene or isobutylene to obtain acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile, the oxidation of propylene or isobutylene to obtain acrolein or methacrolein and the oxidative dehydrogenation of olefins containing 4 or 5 carbon atoms to obtain the corresponding diolefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: The Standard Oil Co.
    Inventors: Robert K. Grasselli, Dev D. Suresh