Abstract: An N-doped activated-carbon catalyst composition for essentially metal-free catalytic conversion of ethylenedichloride (EDC) into vinyl chloride monomer (VCM).

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, catalyst systems, and processes for the production of valuable light olefins, such as ethylene, from paraffinic hydrocarbons, such as propane, through dehydrogenation and metathesis. The contacting state between dehydrogenation and metathesis catalysts can advantageously be manipulated using an inert or relatively inert coating or outer shell that provides a degree of physical separation between catalytically active centers or inner cores. This has been discovered to significantly increase olefin selectivity (i.e., reduce undesired hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis side reactions) without an appreciable paraffin conversion deficit, such that the overall yield of desired olefinic hydrocarbons such as ethylene is thereby significantly increased.