Abstract: This invention describes a new concept of flexible template-directed microporous partially pyrolyzed polymeric membranes which have greatly improved performance in separation of gas pairs compared to their precursor polymeric membranes. Organic hosts, such as crown ethers, cyclodextrins (CDs), calixarenes (CXs), and spherands, or polymeric additives, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were used as the micropore-forming templates. Micropore-forming template/polymer blend membranes comprising organic micropore-forming templates embedded in a polymer matrix were prepared by dissolving the organic micropore-forming templates in the polymer solution followed by solution-casting and solvent evaporation or solvent exchange. Low-temperature selectively pyrolyzing micropore-forming templates in the micropore-forming template/polymer blend membranes at a nitrogen flow resulted in the formation of flexible microporous partially pyrolyzed polymeric membranes.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing a variety of molecular sieves has been developed. The process involves forming a reaction mixture comprising reactive sources of the framework elements plus at least one templating agent, reacting the mixture to at least partially crystallize the molecular sieve and provide a slurry of seed crystals and adding to it nutrients (sources) of the framework elements, e.g. aluminum and silicon in order to grow the seed crystals. The rate of addition of the nutrients is controlled such that it is substantially the same as the crystal growth rate and such that there is substantially no nucleation of new crystals. The seed crystals may be the same or different than the nutrients being added, thus allowing for a layered molecular sieve. When the crystals have reached a desired size, they are isolated by conventional techniques.

Abstract: A sieving membrane comprises a thin, microporous barrier to provide a high flux. The membrane structure can tolerate defects yet still obtain commercially-attractive separations.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing a variety of molecular sieves has been developed. The process involves taking a slurry of seed crystals and adding to it nutrients (sources) of the framework elements, e.g. aluminum and silicon in order to grow the seed crystals. The rate of addition of the nutrients is controlled such that it is substantially the same as the crystal growth rate and such that there is substantially no nucleation of new crystals. The seed crystals may be the same or different than the nutrients being added, thus allowing for a layered molecular sieve. When the crystals have reached a desired size, they are isolated by conventional techniques.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve which is enriched in framework silicon at the surface, resulting in a greater yield of para-xylene compared to prior-art processes.

Abstract: This invention presents a novel MgAPSO molecular sieve, containing a critical range of magnesium in the sieve framework and having a small crystallite size, which is particularly active for hydrocarbon conversion. The sieve advantageously is incorporated, along with a platinum-group metal, into a catalyst formulation which is useful for isomerization. When utilized in a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes containing ethylbenzene, a greater yield of para-xylene is obtained compared to prior-art processes.

Abstract: This invention presents a novel MgAPSO molecular sieve, containing a critical range of magnesium: in the sieve framework and having a small crystallite size, which is particularly active for hydrocarbon conversion. The sieve advantageously is incorporated, along with a platinum-group metal, into a catalyst formulation which is useful for isomerization. When utilized in a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes containing ethylbenzene, a greater yield of para-xylene is obtained compared to prior-art processes.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for the isomerization of butenes and/or pentenes using a catalyst comprising a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve containing noncondensed silica. It is of particular interest to increase the proportion of olefins containing tertiary carbons in the product with low formation of undesirable by-products. Product olefins may be further processed to obtain ethers, which enjoy high current interest as components for reformulated gasoline.

Abstract: In the hydrothermal synthesis of crystalline microporous molecular sieves from a reaction system containing an organic templating agent, it is found that removal of at least some of the organic reagent prior to the time the formation of crystalline product is complete results in an increased yield of the product. The removal of the organic reagent disrupts the equilibrium that is normally established in the reaction system at the selected crystallization temperature between product formation and product dissolution and shifts the reaction toward the formation of additional product before a new equilibrium can form.

Abstract: Molecular sieve compositions having three-dimensional microporous framework structures of LiO.sub.2, AlO.sub.2, PO.sub.2 and SiO.sub.2 tetrahedral oxide units are disclosed. These molecular sieves have an empirical chemical composition on an anhydrous basis expressed by the formula:mR: (Li.sub.w Al.sub.x P.sub.y Si.sub.z)O.sub.2wherein "R" represents at least one organic templating agent present in the intracrystalline pore system; "m" represents the molar amount of "R" present per mole of (Li.sub.w Al.sub.x P.sub.y Si.sub.z)O.sub.2 ; and "w", "x", "y" and "z" represent the mole fractions of lithium, aluminum, phosphorus and silicon, respectively, present as tetrahedral oxides. Their use as adsorbents, catalysts, etc. is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel crystalline aluminophosphate of the molecular sieve type, denominated AlPO.sub.4 -34, is prepared by hydrothermal synthesis from reactive sources of aluminum and phosphorus and an organic templating agent.

Abstract: Molecular sieve compositions having three-dimensional microporous framework structures of LiO.sub.2, AlO.sub.2 and PO.sub.2 tetrahedral oxide units are disclosed. These molecular sieves have an empirical chemical composition on an anhydrous basis expressed by the formula:mR: (Li.sub.x Al.sub.y P.sub.z)O.sub.2wherein "R" represents at least one organic templating agent present in the intracrystalline pore system; "m" represents the molar amount of "R" present per mole of (Li.sub.x Al.sub.y P.sub.z)O.sub.2 ; and "x", "y" and "z" represent the mole fractions of lithium, aluminum and phosphorus, respectively, present as tetrahedral oxides. Their use as adsorbents, catalysts, etc. is also disclosed.