Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of desulfurization of a sulfur laden hydrocarbon liquids that comprises contacting the liquid with a sponge nickel metal alloy, removing the sulfur free liquid, regeneration of the alloy by contact with an aqueous solution of an oxidant and reusing the alloy for further desulfurization of additional sulfur laden liquid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of desulfurization of a sulfur laden hydrocarbon liquids that comprises contacting the liquid with a sponge nickel metal alloy, removing the sulfur free liquid, regeneration of the alloy by contact with an aqueous solution of an oxidant and reusing the alloy for further desufurization of additional sulfur laden liquid.

Abstract: A process for the oxidative conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons is provided wherein a mixture of methane and gaseous oxidant is contacting at reactive conditions with a reducible metal oxide containing solid contact agent, the improvement comprising periodically discontinuing methane feed to the solid contact agent so that the solid agent is maintained in a more active and highly oxidized state.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting methane to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. In a first step, methane is contacted with carbonyl sulfide in the presence of UV light under conditions sufficient to produce CH.sub.3 SH. This CH.sub.3 SH then contacted with a sufficient catalyst, such as a zeolite, especially ZSM-5, under conditions sufficient to produce hydrocarbons having two or more carbon atoms.

Abstract: A composition for use after reductive activation as a catalyst in the conversion of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons of carbon number greater than one, which composition before reductive activation has the formula:Ru.sub.a.A.sub.b.XO.sub.x (I)whereinA is an alkali metal,X is a rare earth metal,a is greater than zero and up to 5% w/w, based on the total weight of the composition,b is in the range from zero to 5% w/w, based on the total weight of the composition,x is a number such that the valence requirements of the other elements for oxygen is satisfied, and subject to the requirements of x, X constitutes the remainder of the composition,is produced by the steps of:(A) bringing together at a temperature below 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in which a first gas is contacted with a solid at an elevated reaction temperature to produce a gaseous product, the solid being deactivated during said contact and exothermically reactivated by a second gas and again contacted with the first gas, the improvement includes the steps of:(a) providing a quantity of the solids in relatively equal amounts to at least these fixed bed reactors;(b) sequentially operating each fixed bed reactor according to the cycle comprising: (1) preheating introducing the first gas into a first end of the reactor and withdrawing gaseous product from a second end of the reactor; (2) preheating the first gas to reaction temperature by introducing the first gas into the fixed bed of solids at a plurality of points along the length of the reactor and withdrawing the preheated gas from the second end of the reactor; and (3) reactivating the deactivated solids by introducing the second gas into the fixed bed of solids at a plurality of points along the length of th

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the coupling of a Grignard reagent RMgX with an allylic halide in the presence of a dipolar aprotic solvent wherein the improvement, for obtaining improved yield and selectivity, comprises adding a catalyst to said Grignard or allylic halide and then carrying out the coupling reaction by the addition of the Grignard reagent to the allylic halide, said reaction being characterized by the displacement at the gamma position (relative to the halide) of the allylic halide with R of the Grignard reagent, migration of the allylic double bond in the direction of the halogen atom and loss of halogen. The present invention also resides in the discovery of certain novel procedures for the synthesis of Vitamin E. Specific embodiments of this aspect of the invention reside in the syntheses of 6,7-dehydrophytol, 10,11-dihydrofarnesene, phytone, hexahydropseudoionone, and related compounds as precursors for Vitamin E.