Abstract: Process for the selective oxidation of ethane to ethylene and/or acetic acid, and/or the selective oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid, by contacting ethane and/or ethylene with a molecular oxygen-containing gas at elevated temperature in the presence of a spray-dried supported catalyst composition. The supported catalyst composition includes molybdenum, vanadium and niobium metal components, supported on a support comprising alpha-alumina. The supported catalyst is prepared by forming a slurry of the metal components and alpha-alumina support particles or an alpha-alumina support precursor, and spray-drying the slurry.

Abstract: An oxide catalyst composition comprising the elements molybdenum, vanadium, niobium and titanium and a process for making the catalyst composition. A process for the selective oxidation of ethane and/or ethylene to acetic acid using the catalyst composition. The catalyst composition provides high selectivity to acetic acid with reduced selectivity to ethylene.

Abstract: Process for the selective oxidation of ethane to ethylene and/or acetic acid, and/or the selective oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid, by contacting ethane and/or ethylene with a molecular oxygen-containing gas at elevated temperature in the presence of a spray-dried supported catalyst composition. The supported catalyst composition includes molybdenum, vanadium and niobium metal components, supported on a support comprising alpha-alumina. The supported catalyst is prepared by forming a slurry of the metal components and alpha-alumina support particles or an alpha-alumina support precursor, and spray-drying the slurry.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and its use for the oxidation of ethane to ethylene and acetic acid which comprises (i) a support, and (ii) in combination with oxygen, the elements molybdenum, vanadium and niobium, optionally tungsten and a component Z, which is one or more metals of Group 14 of the Periodic Table of Elements; a, b, c, d and e represent the gram atom ratios of the elements Mo, W, Z, V and Nb respectively, such that 0<a?1; 0?b<1 and a+b=1; 0.05<c?2; 0<d?2; and 0<e?1.

Abstract: An oxide catalyst composition comprising the elements molybdenum, vanadium, niobium and titanium and a process for making the catalyst composition. A process for the selective oxidation of ethane and/or ethylene to acetic acid using the catalyst composition. The catalyst composition provides high selectivity to acetic acid with reduced selectivity to ethylene.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and its use for the oxidation of ethane to ethylene and acetic acid which comprises (i) a support, and (ii) in combination with oxygen, the elements molybdenum, vanadium and niobium, optionally tungsten and a component Z, which is one or more metals of Group 14 of the Periodic Table of Elements; a, b, c, d and e represent the gram atom ratios of the elements Mo, W, Z, V and Nb respectively, such that 0<a?1; 0?b<1 and a+b=1; 0.05<c?2; 0<d?2; and 0<e?1.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising molybdenum, vanadium, and antimony, and at least one other element selected from the group consisting of praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium. Such catalyst compositions are effective for the gas-phase conversion of propane to acrylonitrile and isobutane to methacrylonitrile (via ammoxidation).

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising molybdenum, vanadium, antimony niobium, at least one element select from the group consisting of titanium, tin, germanium, zirconium, and hafnium, and at least one lanthanide selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium; with the proviso that catalyst contains germanium (in the absence of at last one of titanium, tin, zirconium, hafnium) only in combination with neodymium and/or praseodymium and no other lanthanides. Such catalyst compositions are effective for the gas-phase conversion of propane to acrylonitrile and isobutane to methacrylonitrile (via ammoxidation).

Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for recovery and refining of valuable nitrogen-containing organic compounds formed by catalytic oxidation of least one feed compound selected from the group consisting of propane, propylene, isobutane and isobutylene in the presence of ammonia to produce a gaseous. Processes of the invention include quenching the gaseous reactor effluent with an aqueous quench liquid; forming an aqueous solution comprising the corresponding unsaturated mononitrile, hydrogen cyanide and other organic co-products; and using an integrated sequence of distillations and phase separations to recover for recycle of a useful aqueous liquid, and obtain the desired nitrogen-containing products. According to the invention aqueous solutions are fractionated in an integrated system of multi-stage columns while an effective polymerization inhibiting amount of at least one member of a preselected class of p-phenylenediamine compounds is maintained therein.

Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for recovery and refining of valuable nitrogen-containing organic compounds formed by catalytic oxidation of least one feed compound selected from the group consisting of propane, propylene, isobutane and isobutylene in the presence of ammonia to produce a gaseous. Processes of the invention include quenching the gaseous reactor effluent with an aqueous quench liquid; forming an aqueous solution comprising the corresponding unsaturated mononitrile, hydrogen cyanide and other organic co-products; and using an integrated sequence of distillations and phase separations to recover for recycle of a useful aqueous liquid, and obtain the desired nitrogen-containing products. According to the invention aqueous solutions are fractionated in an integrated system of multi-stage columns while an effective polymerization inhibiting amount of at least one member of a preselected class of p-phenylenediamine compounds is maintained therein.

Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for recovery and refining of valuable nitrogen-containing organic compounds formed by catalytic oxidation of least one feed compound selected from the group consisting of propane, propylene, isobutane and isobutylene in the presence of ammonia to produce a gaseous. Processes of the invention include quenching the gaseous reactor effluent with an aqueous quench liquid; forming an aqueous solution comprising the corresponding unsaturated mononitrile, hydrogen cyanide and other organic co-products; and using an integrated sequence of distillations and phase separations to recover for recycle of a useful aqueous liquid, and obtain the desired nitrogen-containing products. According to the invention aqueous solutions are fractionated in an integrated system of multi-stage columns while an effective polymerization inhibiting amount of at least one member of a preselected class of p-phenylenediamine compounds is maintained therein.

Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for recovery and refining of valuable nitrogen-containing organic compounds formed by catalytic oxidation of least one feed compound selected from the group consisting of propane, propylene, isobutane and isobutylene in the presence of ammonia to produce a gaseous. Processes of the invention include quenching the gaseous reactor effluent with an aqueous quench liquid; forming an aqueous solution comprising the corresponding unsaturated mononitrile, hydrogen cyanide and other organic co-products; and using an integrated sequence of distillations and phase separations to recover for recycle of a useful aqueous liquid, and obtain the desired nitrogen-containing products. According to the invention aqueous solutions are fractionated in an integrated system of multi-stage columns while an effective polymerization inhibiting amount of at least one member of a preselected class of p-phenylenediamine compounds is maintained therein.

Abstract: A process for purifying a naphthalenic carboxylic acid comprising contacting at a temperature below about 575° F. a mixture comprising an impure naphthalenic carboxylic acid and a solvent in the presence of hydrogen gas with a noble metal on carbon catalyst. The process results in reduced amounts of organic impurities in the purified acid when compared to other purification processes.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for purifying a mixture of crude aromatic acids comprising at least one benzene carboxylic acid and at least one naphthalene carboxylic acid. The purification method of the present invention provides a purified aromatic acid mixture useful in the manufacture of ultraviolet light resistance polyesters.

Abstract: The synthesis of dimethyl-1,5-naphthalenedicarboxylate and polymers and articles formed therefrom is disclosed, as well as applications for dimethyl-1,5-naphthalenedicarboxylate, its corresponding acid 1,5-NDA, and various synthesis intermediates.

Abstract: Processes for producing aromatic monomers useful for forming polyesters are disclosed. Cost effective steps employed in the processes permit small amounts of process-related materials typically removed from monomer to remain in an aromatic monomer product. In many cases, the presence of the process-related materials left in the monomer product by the cost effective process steps can enhance the performance of the monomer in certain applications.

Abstract: Processes for producing aromatic monomers useful for forming polyesters are disclosed. Cost effective steps employed in the processes permit small amounts of process-related materials typically removed from monomer to remain in an aromatic monomer product. In many cases, the presence of the process-related materials left in the monomer product by the cost effective process steps can enhance the performance of the monomer in certain applications.

Abstract: A process for purifying a naphthalenic carboxylic acid comprising contacting at a temperature below about 575° F. a mixture comprising an impure naphthalenic carboxylic acid and a solvent in the presence of hydrogen gas with a noble metal on carbon catalyst. The process results in reduced amounts of organic impurities in the purified acid when compared to other purification processes.

Abstract: The synthesis of dimethyl-1,5-naphthalenedicarboxylate and polymers and articles formed therefrom is disclosed, as well as applications for dimethyl-1,5-naphthalenedicarboxylate, its corresponding acid 1,5-NDA, and various synthesis intermediates.

Abstract: Processes for producing aromatic monomers useful for forming polyesters are disclosed. Cost effective steps employed in the processes permit small amounts of process-related materials typically removed from monomer to remain in an aromatic monomer product. In many cases, the presence of the process-related materials left in the monomer product by the cost effective process steps can enhance the performance of the monomer in certain applications. Aromatic monomer products and polymers produced therefrom having these advantages also are disclosed, as well as products such as pasteurizable bottles made from these polymers.