Abstract: A catalytic system of physically separate and discrete solid materials and a mercaptan oxidation process for using the catalytic system have been developed. The catalytic system comprises a supported metal chelate dispersed on a non-basic solid support and a solid base. The process involves contacting a sour middle distillate hydrocarbon fraction which contains mercaptans first with the solid base and then, in the presence of an oxidizing agent and a polar compound, with the supported metal chelate. The process is unique in that both the catalyst and the base are solid materials and that the solid base is in a separate fixed bed from the supported metal chelate.

Abstract: A process for isomerizing a mixture of alkanes containing pentanes and at least one alkane having from 6 to about 8 carbon atoms and no more than one methyl branch has been developed.

Abstract: A process for the continuous isomerization of an alkane to produce an isomerized product through contacting the alkane with a simulated moving bed acting as a catalyst for isomerization and an adsorbent for the alkanes has been developed. The alkane may be n-butane and the isomerized product 2-methylpropane, the alkane may be n-pentane and the isomerized product 2-methylbutane or 2,2-dimethylpropane, the alkane may have from 6 up to about 8 carbon atoms with no more than one methyl branch and the isomerized product having the same number of carbon atoms and at least two methyl branches, or the reactant may be a mixture of the foregoing alkanes with the corresponding isomerized products being formed. In a zone of the simulated moving bed, the alkanes are catalytically isomerized to form the isomerized products. The unreacted alkanes are adsorbed, and the isomerized products are collected.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel zeolite which has the crystal structure of zeolite beta. The novel zeolite SN-beta has a unique infrared absorbance spectrum, shows enhanced activity for transalkylation of di-isopropyl-benzene and shows less deactivation for cumene synthesis. The zeolite beta is prepared by taking an as-synthesized zeolite beta, steam treating it and then ammonium ion treating it to give a zeolite SN-beta with enhanced catalytic properties.

Abstract: Linear alpha-olefin formation via oligomerization of ethylene using transition metal catalysis leads to a Schultz-Flory distribution of oligomers. At modest temperatures formation of heavy oligomers which are waxy solids only partly soluble in the LAO product mix causes reactor plugging and curtailing the time of continuous runs. Recycling a portion of a lighter oligomeric fraction obviates this problem and permits runs uninterrupted by solids formation.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel crystalline molecular sieves having the pharmacosiderite structure and having germanium and M metals as framework elements. Optionally, titanium and silicon can also be a framework element. The M metals can be any metal which has octahedral coordination and has a valence of +2, +3, +4 or +5. Illustrative of these M metals are niobium, tin, antimony, aluminum, gallium and tantalum.

Abstract: Molecular sieve compositions are prepared by extracting aluminum and substituting chromium and/or tin for extracted aluminum to give molecular sieve products containing framework chromium and/or tin atoms. The process of preparing the chromium and/or tin-containing molecular sieves involves contacting a starting molecular sieve with a solution or slurry of at least one of a fluoro salt of chromium or a fluoro salt of tin under effective process conditions to provide for aluminum extraction and substitution of chromium and/or tin.

Abstract: Resolution of a racemic mixture of organic materials by simulated moving bed chromatography using a chiral stationary phase can be routinely effected at atypically low values of k' with recoveries of at least 95% and an optical purity of at least 95%. In particular, values in the range 0.1<k'<1.0 are recommended with a resulting savings in mobile phase consumption, inventory, and recovery.

Abstract: The observation was made that virtually all octane number variations arise from 23 components present in a broad variety of gasolines. Consequently it is possible to develop a calibration set consisting of a gasoline base stock as modified by one or more of the 23 components. By measuring the octane number and near infrared spectrum of each member of the calibration set, the octane number of any sample at the site specific for the base stock may be determined from the near infrared spectrum of the sample.

Abstract: Novel fluoride containing substituted smectite clays are disclosed as well as their preparation and uses. The clay has the formulaA.sub.x (M.sub.y M'.sub.4--y)(Si.sub.8--x M.sub.t M'.sub.v)O.sub.20 (OH).sub.4--u F.sub.uwhere A is a cation, M and M' are metals having a +3 oxidation state, each selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gallium, iron and chromium, x is the moles of A, y is the moles of M, t and v are the moles of M and M' in the tetrahedral layer and t+v=x and u is the moles of F. The clay composition may be used as is or after pillaring to catalyze hydrocarbon conversion processes such as alkylation.

Abstract: A process for the efficient production of diisopropyl ether where catalytic distillation is used to increase the yield of product beyond thermodynamic equilibrium limitations has been developed. In a hydration zone the propylene in a feedstock is reacted with water in the presence of a catalyst to effect hydration to produce an effluent stream containing at least water, unreacted propylene, and isopropyl alcohol, and then, in an etherification zone, at least a portion of the effluent stream is further reacted by catalytic distillation in the presence of a catalyst to effect reaction of propylene and isopropyl alcohol to form diisopropyl ether while concurrently separating a propylene rich portion, a diisopropyl ether rich portion and an aqueous portion, and recovering the diisopropyl ether from the diisopropyl ether rich portion.

Abstract: A process for the production of diisopropyl ether where acid is removed, without extraction, from the reactor effluent before being recycled to the reactor or being passed to downstream processing units has been developed. The process involves (1) reacting propylene and water to produce isopropyl alcohol in a reactor and reacting the isopropyl alcohol with propylene to produce diisopropyl ether in the presence of an acidic ion exchange resin catalyst to afford a reactor effluent stream containing at least water, isopropyl alcohol, diisopropyl ether, propylene, and acid, (2) passing the reactor effluent to an acid removal zone to produce an acid-depleted stream, (3) dividing the acid-depleted stream into two portions, and (4) recycling a portion to the reactor and collecting a portion.

Abstract: A process for the continuous hydrolysis of esters containing from 2 to about 16 carbon atoms to form at least one alcohol and at least one carboxylic acid and the concurrent separation of the hydrolysis products has been developed. The process uses a solid bed which acts as a catalyst for hydrolysis and as an adsorbent for at least one class of the products. The process operates in the simulated moving bed mode. A specific embodiment of the invention is one where the simulated moving bed is a homogeneous mixture of at least one solid effective as a hydrolysis catalyst and at least one solid effective as an alcohol or carboxylic acid adsorbent. Another specific embodiment is one where the simulated moving bed is a strongly acidic macroreticular polymeric resin effective both as a hydrolysis catalyst and as an adsorbent for at least one hydrolysis product.

Abstract: Tetrahedrally charged clays have been found to be active, regenerable catalysts in detergent alkylation, both as delaminated and pillared clays. The pillared saponites and beidellites are especially favored in forming detergent range alkylates using olefins as the alkylating agent to afford products with high monoalkylation selectivity and high linearity. Catalysts can be regenerated by a benzene wash or, after severe deactivation, by a carbon burn.

Abstract: Lactic acid formed via fermentation generally is susceptible to the development of color bodies when heated to temperatures of approximately 180.degree. C. and above. Color development appears to result from carbonization of small amounts of carbohydrates. Consequently a heat-stable lactic acid may be produced by subjecting an aqueous solution of lactic acid to temperatures between about 180 and 230.degree. C. for a time sufficient to carbonize the carbohydrates, with subsequent removal of the color bodies using standard decolorants such as activated charcoal. Heat treatment may be applied either directly to the broth or to an aqueous solution resulting from one or more processing steps applied to the fermentation broth.

Abstract: A process for preparing catalysts has been developed. The process involves the use of a chelating ligand such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The aqueous solution of the chelating ligand and a promoter metal salt is first prepared heated to a temperature of about 80.degree. C. to about its boiling point and then combined with an aqueous solution containing a Group VIII metal compound. Next this mixed solution is aged at a temperature of about 40.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. and then used to impregnate a support, e.g., alumina spheres. The impregnated support is then dried, calcined and reduced with hydrogen. Prior to reduction the catalyst may optionally be treated with a chlorine or chloride stream.

Abstract: The oxidation of inorganic cyanides and the concurrent hydrolysis of many organic cyanides can be effected in aqueous media using a diversity of metal chelates supported on metal oxide solid solutions. Metal oxide solid solutions containing magnesium and aluminum oxide or magnesium, nickel and aluminum oxide are specially favored to effect oxidation-hydrolysis even at temperatures over 100.degree. C.

Abstract: Benzyl alcohols having a chiral center at the benzylic carbon can be conveniently racemized by treatment with solid acids which are strongly acidic cation exchange materials. Racemization may be effected generally in the range from 20.degree.-150.degree. C. in aqueous or partly aqueous systems in combination with a water-miscible organic solvent to improve solubility of the alcohol. Similar racemizations may be effected for benzyl ethers and esters. This process is valuable for recycling of unwanted enantiomers obtained in the resolution of racemic mixtures.

Abstract: An adsorptive process to separate the components of a solution of linear and branched hydrocarbons into a linear hydrocarbon portion and a branched hydrocarbon portion where the adsorbent is an alkylene-bridged polysilsesquioxane has been developed. The hydrocarbon components to be separated may be alkanes, alkenes, or alkynes, and the alkylene-bridging group of the adsorbent may contain from about 2 to about 14 carbon atoms. A specific embodiment of the invention is one where the process is operated in the simulated moving bed mode.

Abstract: A process of effecting an acid catalyzed reaction wherein a reactant capable of undergoing an acid catalyzed reaction is contacted with an acid functionalized organically-bridged polysilsesquioxane catalyst where all of the acid functionality is covalently bonded to the organic portion of an organically-bridged polysilsesquioxane framework has been developed. The acid functionalized organically-bridged polysilsesquioxane is formed by polymerizing a monomer through sol-gel processing to form an organically-bridged polysilsesquioxane, reacting an acid group onto the organic portion of the organically-bridged polysilsesquioxane, and recovering the acid functionalized product. An embodiment of the invention is where the acid catalyzed reaction is the hydration of olefins, alkylation, acylation, isomerization, or aldol condensation/elimination.