Abstract: A method for the acid catalyzed cyclization of an alkenylbenzene feedstock to a dimethyltetralin in a liquid phase reaction wherein the desired dimethyltetralin is removed from the reaction mixture by distillation simultaneously with the addition of the feedstock to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The preparation, structure, and properties of solid inorganic materials containing aluminum, boron, oxygen and at least one Group VIII metallo element, selected from the group consisting of cobalt and nickel is described. Also described is the use of such materials in catalytic compositions for the conversion of organic compounds. In particular, the new materials having the general formula:(x)(M.sub.m :M'.sub.n)O.(y)Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.(z)B.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: A process for preparing purified dimethyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate by the esterification of 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid is disclosed and which process provides for the efficient removal of the mono methyl ester of 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid produced during the esterification reaction.

Abstract: A method for purifying a naphthalenedicarboxylic acid comprising contacting an impure naphthalenedicarboxylic acid with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst and a solvent comprising a low molecular weight carboxylic acid, at a temperature of at least about 500.degree. F., and a pressure sufficient to maintain the solvent at least partially in the liquid phase and thereafter recovering purified naphthalenedicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A process for preparing purified dimethyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate by the esterification of 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid is disclosed, and which process provides for the efficient removal of residual oxidation catalyst metals from the dimethyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate and efficient removal of particulate contaminants.

Abstract: An olefins process is described which combines cracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock with the coupling of methane using an oxygen-affording gas such that the heat evolved in the exothermic methane coupling reaction is effectively transferred to the endothermic cracking process in a manner which does not allow the non-hydrocarbon products in the effluent of the methane coupling reaction to mix with the effluent of the cracking process. By combining the cryogenic requirements of the two processes, the refrigeration used in air liquifaction to separate oxygen for the methane coupling process can provide refrigerant nitrogen to liquify one or more of methane, ethylene and propylene which can be used in the cryogenic separation of the C.sub.2 + hydrocarbon products in the cracking process effluent.

Abstract: A direct and simplified process is described for making anionic clays having the hydrotalcite structure which contain as the intercalating anion a pH-dependent, essentially carbonate-free, inorganic anion. Hydrotalcite-type clays made by the process from a number of divalent and trivalent metal ions and pH-dependent, boron-containing anions and transition element metalates are useful in the conversion of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method and a system for extending useful life of a basic catalyst are disclosed. The basic catalyst comprises a particulate, porous, siliceous catalyst support and an alkali metal in the +1 oxidation state on the catalyst support surface. The catalyst is suitable for the synthesis of an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid by condensation of a saturated carboxylic acid with formaldehyde. The method of the present invention contemplates providing a reactor, or a series of reactors, containing the basic catalyst and a confined source of the alkali metal associated with a suitable carrier, upstream of the reactor or reactors. A feed stream to the reactor is passed first through the confined source and thereafter through the reactor while reaction conditions for the condensation reaction are maintained within the reactor. The temperature of the feed stream passing through the confined source can be modulated to control release of the alkali metal from the carrier.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the conversion of a feedstream comprising gaseous and/or liquid feed materials to a desired products by means of catalytic distillation employing a catalyst-packing material comprising a rigid, cellular monolith or a rigid, cellular monolith coated with a catalytically-active material.Preferred rigid, cellular monoliths are ceramic honeycomb monoliths.

Abstract: A method for reducing the formation of dust produced by solid aromatic anhydrides, and aromatic anhydride compositions that have a reduced tendency to emit aromatic anhydride dust, are disclosed. The method comprises treating the aromatic anhydride with low levels of suitable organic compounds.

Abstract: A method for the selective ethylation of 2-alkoxy-naphthalene compounds at the 6 position of the naphthalene nucleus is disclosed.

Abstract: Conversion of alcohol to organic compounds which comprises contacting the alcohol with a heterogeneous catalyst composition comprising crystallineCu.sub.2-X Cr.sub.y Al.sub.6-y B.sub.4 O.sub.17 M.sub.m M'.sub.nwhere M is a divalent metal, M' is a monovalent metal, m is a number in a range from 0 to 0.8, n is a number in a range from 0 to 1.6, X is a number in a range from 0 to 10 0.8 and is equal to the sum of m and n/2, and y is a number in a range from 0.01 to 3, having a characteristic X-ray diffraction pattern.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of adipic acid is disclosed. In this process, cyclohexane is oxidized in an aliphatic monobasic acid solvent in the presence of a soluble cobalt salt wherein water is continuously or intermittently added to the reaction system after the initiation of oxidation of cyclohexane as indicated by a suitable means of detection, and wherein the reaction is conducted at a temperature of about 50.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. at an oxygen partial pressure of about 50 to about 420 pounds per square inch absolute.

Abstract: The 4,2'-disubstituted diphenyl carbonate or, optionally, ether content of regioimpure mixtures of compounds of formula: ##STR1## where X is F, Cl, and NO.sub.2, can be decreased to essentially zero starting with o-, m- and p-containing regioimpure mixtures by treating with the corresponding m- or p-substituted phenol and, optionally, a decarboxylation catalyst and removing the o-substituted phenol produced by volatilization or recrystallization from a solvent.

Abstract: A method for the highly selective production of 2,6-methylethylnaphthalene involving the use of a specific acid catalyst and a highly regeospecific ethylating agent.

Abstract: A process is provided for transaralkylating a class of starting compounds comprised of aryl-substituted lower alkanes and aryl-substituted fused alkylene ring compounds to produce derivatives of such compounds wherein benzyl substituents thereof have different alkyl substituents compared to the starting compounds. The process is carried out by admixing such a starting compound with a lower alkyl-substituted aromatic compound under liquid phase conditions in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst. The process makes possible new and economical routes for synthesizing desired lower alkyl-substituted benzyl group containing compounds, such as 2,2-di(lower alkyl-substituted) phenyl propanes and 1,3,3-trimethyl-1-(lower alkyl-substituted)-phenyl indans. Thus, there is provided a three-step process for making dixylylpropane from alpha methyl styrene and also a two-step process for making 1,3,3,6-tetramethyl-1-o-xylyl indan from alpha-4-dimethyl styrene.

Abstract: An improved process for alkylating an alkylaromatic having at least one benzylic hydrogen atom with an olefinic compound comprising contacting the alkylaromatic under liquid phase conditions with an olefinic compound in the presence of at least one alkali metal activated by sonication.

Abstract: A method of preparing polyester materials comprising polymerizing a mixture comprising a diol and a stabilized diester of a naphthalenedicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A process for preparing 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2,2-di(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) propane anhydride is disclosed. 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2,2-di(3,4 -dimethylphenyl) propane is oxidized under liquid phase conditions in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas, bromine and heavy metal catalyst components to 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2,2-di(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) propane in high yield. Addition of an anhydride of a low molecular weight carboxylic acid to the oxidation reaction mixture converts the 1,1,1-hexafluoro-2,2-di(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)propane to 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2,2-di(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) propane anhydride.

Abstract: A process for selectively dehydrogenating organic compounds, and particularly for dehydrogenating dimethyltetralins to dimethylnaphthalenes, by contacting the organic compound at an elevated temperature with a catalyst prepared by treating a composition comprising an alumina support material and platinum group metal with an excess amount of an alkaline solution of an alkali metal salt.