Abstract: The present invention provides a processes, having practical utility, for preparing 2-oxindoles, N-hydroxy-2-oxindoles, or mixtures thereof comprising: catalytically hydrogenating a 2-nitroarylmalonate diester to produce a 2-(N-hydroxyamino)arylmalonate diester, a 2-aminoarylmalonate diester, or mixtures thereof as a first reaction intermediate; cyclizing, by intramolecular aminolysis of one ester group, the first reaction intermediate to produce a N-hydroxy-2-oxindole-3-carboxylate ester, 2-oxindole-3-carboxylate ester, or mixtures thereof as a second reaction intermediate; and hydrolyzing and decarboxylating the remaining ester group of the second reaction intermediate to produce the N-hydroxy-2-oxindole, the 2-oxindole, or mixtures thereof, wherein the cyclization reaction and the hydrolysis and decarboxylation reaction are conducted in situ with the catalytic hydrogenation reaction without isolation of said reaction intermediates.

Abstract: An improved catalytic reactor for high temperature reactions having a reaction chamber and a monolithic catalyst structure disposed in the reaction chamber is disclosed wherein the catalyst structure has a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed channels formed by thin metal substrate walls which expand on exposure to the heat generated in high temperature reactions and reactor also includes a monolithic open cellular support structure disposed in the reaction chamber having a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed passageways formed by strips of high temperature resistant metal or ceramic material with the support structure being secured on its outer periphery to the wall of the reaction chamber to limit movement along the longitudinal axis, and being positioned at and abutting against the outlet end of the catalyst structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing biaryl compounds comprising reacting an arylzinc reagent with an arylchloride in the presence of a nickel catalyst or a palladium catalyst. The present invention specifically provides a process for the preparation of 2-(4′-methylphenyl)benzonitrile comprising reacting a 4-methylphenylzinc reagent with 2-chlorobenzonitrile in the presence of a nickel catalyst or a palladium catalyst.

Abstract: A support structure for securing a catalyst structure comprising a multiplicity of longitudinally disposed channels for passage of a flowing gas mixture within a reactor, said support structure being comprised of a monolithic open celled or honeycomb-like structure formed by thin strips or ribs of high temperature resistant metal or ceramic which abuts against one end of the catalyst structure, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the catalyst structure to essentially cover an end face (at either the inlet end or outlet end or both) of the catalyst structure with the support structure being secured on its periphery to the reactor wall. The strips or ribs making up the support structure are bonded together to form a unitary structure having cellular openings at least as large as the catalyst structure channel openings.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrically-heated catalyst (EHC) and a start-up method of a gas turbine engine for combusting a hydrocarbonaceous fuel/oxygen-containing gas mixture using this electrically-heated catalyst. The catalytic structure is electrically heated to a predetermined temperature prior to start up of the turbine so as to reduce emissions during the start-up of the system. The EHC unit is a stacked or spirally wound layering of flat and corrugated thin metal foils which forms a plurality of axially-extending, longitudinal channels. The channels are preferably coated on one surface with a catalytic material, leaving the other surface free from the reaction to act as a heat sink, making the design an IHE (integral heat exchange) catalytic unit. The preferred embodiment of the EHC has electrodes outside of the fuel/oxygen-containing mixture stream, and uses electrical power having a predetermined voltage in the range of 100 to 200 volts to heat the unit.

Abstract: This invention is an improved process for the conversion of a C.sub.9 mixed alkyl aromatic feedstream containing ethyl substituted aromatics to a product rich in toluenes and/or xylenes via catalytic transalkylation/disproportionation using a palladium loaded moderately, dealuminated mordenite catalyst in the presence of added hydrogen and benzene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of acidic aqueous solutions consisting essentially of, phosphomolybdovanadate salts. Certain processes of the present invention dissolve in water an oxide, oxoacid, or mixtures thereof, and at least one oxoanion salt of phosphorus, molybdenum, and vanadium, wherein the sum of salt cationic charges does not exceed the sum of the phosphomolybdovanadate anionic charges in the solution. Other processes of the present invention dissolve in water a) an oxide, oxoacid, oxoanion salt, or mixtures thereof of phosphorus, molybdenum, and vanadium and b) a carbonate salt, bicarbonate salt, hydroxide salt or mixtures thereof, wherein the sum of salt cationic charges does not exceed the sum of the phosphomolybdovanadate anionic charges in the solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous catalyst solutions useful for oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products, comprising a palladium catalyst and a polyoxoacid or polyoxoanion oxidant comprising vanadium. It also provides processes for oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products, comprising contacting olefin with the aqueous catalyst solutions of the present invention. It also provides processes for oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products by dioxygen, comprising contacting olefin with the aqueous catalyst solutions of the present invention, and further comprising contacting dioxygen with the aqueous catalyst solutions. In certain aqueous catalyst solutions and related processes of the present invention, the solution has a hydrogen ion concentration greater than 0.10 mole per liter when essentially all of the oxidant is in its oxidized state. In other aqueous catalyst solution and related processes of the present invention, the solution is essentially free of sulfuric acid and sulfate ions.

Abstract: This invention is an improved catalyst structure and its use in highly exothermic processes like catalytic combustion. This improved catalyst structure employs integral heat exchange in an array of longitudinally disposed adjacent reaction passage-ways or channels, which are either catalyst-coated or catalyst-free, wherein the configuration of the catalyst-coated channels differs from the non-catalyst channels such that, when applied in exothermic reaction processes, such as catalytic combustion, the desired reaction is promoted in the catalytic channels and substantially limited in the non-catalyst channels. The invention further comprises an improved reaction system and process for combustion of a fuel wherein catalytic combustion using a catalyst structure employing integral heat exchange, preferably the improved structures of the invention, affords a partially-combusted, gaseous product which is passed to a homogeneous combustion zone where complete combustion is promoted by means of a flameholder.

Abstract: This invention is both a partial combustion process in which the fuel is partially combusted using specific catalysts and catalytic structures and also a catalyst structure for use in the process. The choice of catalysts and supports solves problems in the art dealing with the stability of the overall catalyst structure and ease of catalyst operation. The catalyst structure is stable due to its comparatively low operating temperature, has a low temperature at which catalytic combustion begins, and yet is not susceptible to temperature "runaway". The combustion gas produced by the catalytic process typically is below the autocombustive temperature for the gas mixture; the gas may be used at that temperature, or fed to other combustion stages for ultimate use in a gas turbine, furnace, boiler, or the like.

Abstract: This invention is an improved catalyst structure and its use in highly exothermic processes like catalytic combustion. This improved catalyst structure employs integral heat exchange in an array of longitudinally disposed, adjacent reaction passage-ways or channels, which are either catalyst-coated or catalyst-free, wherein the configuration of the catalyst-coated channels differs from the non-catalyst channels such that, when applied in exothermic reaction processes, such as catalytic combustion, the desired reaction is promoted in the catalytic channels and substantially limited in the non-catalyst channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous catalyst solutions useful for oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products, comprising a palladium catalyst, a polyoxoacid or polyoxoanion oxidant comprising vanadium, and chloride ions. It also provides processes for oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products, comprising contacting olefin with the aqueous catalyst solutions of the present invention. It also provides processes for oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products by dioxygen, comprising contacting olefin with the aqueous catalyst solutions of the present invention, and further comprising contacting dioxygen with the aqueous catalyst solutions. The present invention also provides a process for the oxidation of palladium(0) to palladium(II) comprising contacting the palladium(0) with an aqueous solution comprising chloride ions and a polyoxoacid or polyoxoanion oxidant comprising vanadium.

Abstract: This invention is a self-contained NO.sub.x sensor assembly. It may be used to detect NO.sub.x levels in a flowing gas stream such as might be found in an exhaust gas from a combustion process and to produce a measurable electrical output related to the content of NO.sub.x measured. The NO.sub.x sensor assembly is of a configuration that may be detached from a mounting and replaced. The sensor assembly comprises two sensor elements one of which is made up of a catalyst on a temperature measuring device. The other is a gas stream ambient temperature measuring device. The catalyst is selected and configured so that it selectively reduces NO.sub.x and the resulting heat of the reaction raises the temperature of the allied temperature measuring device. The sensor assembly also contains a NO.sub.x reductant source. The sensor assembly may be placed in a moving vehicle for measuring NO.sub.x levels in its exhaust gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing 2-oxindole-1-carboxamides, comprising reacting N-acyl 2-oxindole-1-carboxamides with alcohols in the presence of aprotic weak Lewis acid catalysts. In certain processes of the present invention a 2-oxindole-1-carboxamide is prepared from a 2-oxindole by reacting the 2-oxindole with an acyl isocyanate to produce the N-acyl 2-oxindole-1-carboxamide as an intermediate, which is then reacted with alcohol in the presence of aprotic weak Lewis acid catalysts The N-acyl 2-oxindole-1-carboxamide intermediate may be converted to the 2-oxindole-1-carboxamide without isolation.

Abstract: A support structure for securing a catalyst structure wherein a combustion reactor has a plurality of hollow, internally cooled, elongated support members which are secured to the combustion reactor and which abut the catalyst structure to limit the axial movement of the catalytic structure. The support structure is in fluid communication with a cooling medium which maintains the support structure at a temperature at which its strength properties are retained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing 2-oxindole-1-carboxamides, comprising reacting N-acyl 2-oxindole-1-carboxamides with alcohols in the presence of aprotic weak Lewis acid catalysts. In certain processes of the present invention a 2-oxindole-1-carboxamide is prepared from a 2-oxindole by reacting the 2-oxindole with an acyl isocyanate to produce the N-acyl 2-oxindole-1-carboxamide as an intermediate, which is then reacted with alcohol in the presence of aprotic weak Lewis acid catalysts. The N-acyl 2-oxindole-1-carboxamide intermediate may be converted to the 2-oxindole-1-carboxamide without isolation.

Abstract: This invention is a process for catalytically burning a combustible mixture of a fuel and an oxygen-containing gas. In particular, the invention is a process for producing a combustion gas at a selected temperature, preferably between 1050.degree. C. and 1700.degree. C., by introducing all of the fuel necessary to attain that temperature to a combustion catalyst, partially combusting the combustible within the combustion catalyst, and homogeneously combusting the remainder of the fuel outside the catalyst. By controlling the temperature within the catalyst, deterioration of that catalyst is prevented.

Abstract: This is a catalyst and a process for partially hydrogenating polycyclic and monocyciic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, naphthalenes, biphenyls, and alkylbenzenes to produce the corresponding cyclooiefins. The catalyst is a hydrogenation catalyst comprising ruthenium on a composite support. It is a process in which the product cycloolefin is produced in high yield and with high selectivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the conversion of a reactant into a reaction product in the presence of a novel acid catalyst complex comprising an organosulfonic acid having the formula[(R.sup.2 O).sub.2 P(O)].sub.y R(SO.sub.r R.sup.1).sub.xwherein R is an organo radical having at least one covalent carbon-fluorine bond, R.sup.1 is hydrogen, R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbyl radical having up to 20 carbon atoms or hydrogen, r is 2 or 3, x is an integer from 1 to 3, y is an integer of from 1 to 3 with the proviso that the phosphorus and the sulfur are covalently bonded to a carbon atom and which organosulfonic acid has been contacted with a Lewis Acid to produce a catalyst complex containing said Lewis Acid. In the elected claims, a process for providing a high octane alkylate stream by converting a mixture comprising isoparaffins and olefins into said alkylate in the presence of said acid catalyst complex, is described.

Abstract: This is a catalyst and a process for partially hydrogenating polycyclic and monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, naphthalenes, biphenyls, and alkylbenzenes to produce the corresponding cycloolefins. The catalyst is a hydrogenation catalyst comprising ruthenium and a promoter metal, such as cobalt, on a composite support. It is a process in which the product cycloolefin is produced in high yield and with high selectivity.