Abstract: A composition of matter comprising alumina and Pt and/or Pd is prepared by a process comprising the steps of impregnating an alumina-containing support material with a solution of a thiocyanate compound (preferably NH.sub.4 SCN), drying the thus impregnated material, contacting the dried material with a solution of at least one compound of Pt and/or Pd, drying/calcining the Pt and/or Pd impregnated material, and heating it in a reducing gas, preferably free hydrogen, at a temperature of about 550.degree.-700.degree. C. The above composition of matter is used as catalyst in a process for oxidizing CO to CO.sub.2, e.g., in a CO.sub.2 laser.

Abstract: A hydrotreating process comprises contacting a substantially liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, which contains compounds of sulfur and metals (preferably Ni and/or V), in the presence of a fixed catalyst bed comprising (a) at least one layer of impregnated substantially spherical alumina-containing particles which have been prepared by a process comprising the steps of impregnating specific starting material with at least one dissolved magnesium compound and then heating the thus impregnated material at about 500.degree.-900.degree. C. for improved crush strength retention. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed catalyst bed further comprises at least one layer (b) of catalyst particles comprising a refractory inorganic carrier and at least one hydrogenation promoter. A composition of matter comprising the impregnated, spherical alumina-containing particles described above, and a process for preparing them are also provided.

Abstract: A hydrofining process (preferably hydrovisbreaking process) comprises contacting a substantially liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, which contains Ramsbottom carbon residue and materials boiling in excess of about 1000.degree. F. at atmospheric conditions, with a free hydrogen-containing gas and a catalyst composition comprising at least one catechol compound of molybdenum. Preferably the catechol compound of molybdenum is prepared by reaction of a compound comprising molybdenum and oxygen with a catechol compound under non-reducing conditions.

Abstract: A hydrocracking process comprises the step of contacting a liquid hydrocarbon containing feed with a free hydrogen containing gas and a catalyst composition comprising a silica/titania on alumina support material which has been promoted with compounds of nickel, molybdenum, and preferably, also phosphorus. Preferably, the feed is a vacuum gas oil, and the production of middle distillates is maximized.

Abstract: A polymer composition is provided comprising at least one poly(arylene sulfide), at least one polysiloxane, at least one trialkoxysilane, and at least one solid, resinous polyolefin. Molded objects made of this polymer composition have greater impact strength than those made of poly(arylene sulfide), preferably poly(phenylene sulfide). In one embodiment, an additive composition comprising at least one polysiloxane, at least one trialkoxysilane and at least one solid, resinous polyolefin is provided. The additives can be blended with poly(arylene sulfide) so as to improve its impact strength. In another embodiment, a polymer composition is provided comprising at least one poly(arylene sulfide), at least one polysiloxane having molecular in the range of from about 100,000 to about 400,000, and optionally at least one trialkoxysilane.

Abstract: A composition of matter, suitable as cracking catalyst, comprises zeolite, silica matrix and vanadium oxide(s) at a level of at least 0.2 weight-% V. A process for preparing the above composition of matter comprises the steps of contacting zeolite in a silica matrix with at least one vanadium compound and calcining the thus contacted material. A process for cracking substantially liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed streams, which contain at least about 5 ppmw vanadium, in the presence of the above composition of matter as catalyst, is provided.

Abstract: A process for the preferential absorption of H.sub.2 S from a gas which contains H.sub.2 S and CO.sub.2 comprises contacting of the gas with a sorbent solution comprising alkali metal ethylenediaminetetraacetate and/or alkali metal nitrilotriacetate, in the substantial absence of oxidizing agents which can oxidize H.sub.2 S.

Abstract: A process for cracking hydrocarbon containing feed streams, which have an initial boiling point of at least 400.degree. F. and contain at least about 5 ppmw vanadium, is carried out in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising a physical mixture of (a) zeolite embedded in an inorganic refractory matrix material and (b) at least one oxide of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba or La, preferably MgO, on a silica containing support material.

Abstract: A composition of matter is prepared by a process comprising the steps of impregnating a alumina-containing support material with a thiocyanate (preferably ammonium thiocyanate), drying the thus impregnated material, impregnating the dried material with a transition metal compound, drying and calcining the transition metal impregnated material. This composition of matter is used as catalyst composition for hydrotreating of hydrocarbon-containing feed streams (in particular heavy oils) which contain metal and sulfur compounds as impurities.In another embodiment, a hydrotreating process comprises contacting hydrocarbon-containing feed stream (in particular heavy oils), which contains compounds of sulfur and metals, in the presence of a fixed catalyst bed comprising (X) at least one layer of impregnated substantially spherical alumina-containing particles which have been prepared by a process comprising the steps of impregnating specific starting material with NH.sub.

Abstract: A composition of matter is prepared by a process comprising the steps of impregnating a alumina-containing support material with a thiosulfate (preferably ammonium thiosulfate), drying the thus impregnated material, impregnating the dried material with a transition metal compound, drying and calcining the transition metal impregnated material. This composition of matter is used as catalyst composition for hydrogenating unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, and as catalyst composition for hydrotreating of hydrocarbon-containing feed streams (in particular heavy oils) which contain metal and sulfur compounds as impurities.

Abstract: In a process for reacting an aromatic compound (preferably chlorobenzene) with free chlorine in the presence of a catalyst comprising a zeolite of the L family (zeolite L) under such reaction conditions as to obtain a product comprising 1,4-dichlorobenzene, the improvement comprises employing ammonium ion-exchanged zeolite of the L family.

Abstract: A process for catalytic cracking using a catalyst obtained by preparing pillared interlayered clay materials comprises the steps of contacting a smectite containing material, preferably bentonite, with a solution comprising at least one of ammonium and alkali metal carboxylates and alkali metal carbonates and bicarbonates, plus preferably also alkali metal dithionite; separating the thus-contacted material from the solution; treating the separated material with a solution comprising a polymeric cationic hydroxy metal complex, preferably of aluminum (more preferably, polymeric hydroxy aluminum chloride); separating and finally heating the thus-treated smectite material. The pillared interlayered clay material of this invention can be intimately admixed with zeolite. The pillared interlayered clay material of this invention, with or without zeolite, can be used as catalyst for cracking hydrocarbon-containing oils.

Abstract: A process for producing higher ketones comprises the step of contacting under suitable conditions a feed comprising at least one C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 aliphatic aldehyde, and preferably also carbon monoxide, with a catalyst composition comprising (i) copper and/or an oxide thereof and (ii) zinc oxide. Preferably, the feed aldehyde is propanal, and the product comprises at least one C.sub.5 ketone. Ketones are substantially absent from the aldehyde feed.

Abstract: A hydrotreating process comprises contacting a substantially liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, which contains compounds of sulfur and metals (preferably Ni and/or V), in the presence of a fixed catalyst bed comprising (a) at least one layer of impregnated substantially spherical alumina-containing particles which have been prepared by a process comprising the steps of impregnating specific starting material with (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4 and then heating the thus impregnated material at about 500.degree.-900.degree. C. for improved crush strength retention. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed catalyst bed further comprises at least one layer (b) of catalyst particles comprising a refractory inorganic carrier and at least one hydrogenation promoter. A composition of matter comprising the impregnated, spherical alumina-containing particles described above, and a process for preparing them are also provided.

Abstract: 1,2-dichlorobenzene is isomerized to 1,4-dichlorobenzene in the presence of a catalyst comprising (a) at least one of AlCl.sub.3 and AlBr.sub.3 and (b) at least one of iodine, alkaline earth metal halides and sulfates and lanthanide halides. Benzene and/or dichlorobenzene is chlorinated with free chlorine in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising (a) at least one suitable metal halide (preferably AlCl.sub.3, SbCl.sub.5 or FeCl.sub.3) and (b) free iodine and/or at least one organic iodo-compound (preferably methyl iodide of p-iodochlorobenzene), so as to obtain a reaction product comprising 1,4-dichlorobenzene. A preferred catalyst composition comprises (a) at least one of AlCl.sub.3 and AlBr.sub.3, (b) free iodine and (c) at least one of alkaline earth metal halides, alkaline earth metal sulfates and lanthanide halides.

Abstract: A composition of matter, effective as cracking catalyst, comprises zeolite and a matrix material comprising aluminum phosphate, being substantially free of alumina and magnesia. A process for cracking hydrocarbon-containing feed streams having an initial boiling point of at least about 400.degree. F. (at atmospheric pressure) employs the above cracking catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprises (a) alumina, (b) zinc titanate, (c) at least one compound of molybdenum, (d) at least one compound of at least one of nickel and cobalt, and (e) at least one compound containing phosphorus and oxygen. This catalyst composition is used for hydrotreating a liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed stream (such as a heavy oil) which contains compounds of nickel, vanadium and sulfur, under such conditions as to obtain a product having reduced levels of nickel, vanadium and sulfur.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising alumina as the major component and silica as a minor component is prepared by a process comprising sequential addition of solutions of aluminum salt and alkali metal aluminate, addition of a solution of alkali metal silicate to dispersed alumina hydrogel and heating formed alumina-silica hydrogel under dehydrating conditions. The thus prepared composition of matter, optionally promoted with at least one transition metal compound, can be used as a catalyst for hydrotreating substantially liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed streams which also contain sulfur and metal compounds as impurities.

Abstract: A process for converting synthesis gas (CO+H.sub.2) to aliphatic alcohols containing at least 2 carbon atoms comprises the steps of passing the synthesis gas first through a catalyst zone comprising (a) Co metal and/or Co oxide and (b) MgO and/or ZnO (preferably MgO), and then through a catalyst zone comprising (c) Cu metal and/or Cu oxide and (d) ZnO.

Abstract: In a process for dehydrogenating paraffins having from 2-12 carbon atoms per molecule (preferably propane and/or n-butane) to olefins, in the presence of free oxygen, steam and a catalyst comprising Ni, P, Sn, O and, optionally alkali metal, the improvement comprises having ammonia present at a NH.sub.3 :paraffin mole ratio of at least about 1:100.