Abstract: The invention relates to the use of hydrogen ion-exchanged layered clays in organic reactions which are catalyzed by protons. Such organic reactions include the production of ethers by the reaction of an alcohol with an olefin or an olefin oxide, the production of an ether by the reaction of a primary or secondary aliphatic alcohol or an olefin oxide, the production of an alkyl aromatic compound by the reaction of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an olefin or a C.sub.2 or higher alcohol and the production of an alcohol by the hydration of an olefin.

Abstract: A method for carrying out processes capable of catalysis by protons using as catalyst a stabilized pillared interlayered clay.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of hydrogen ion-exchanged layered clays in organic reactions which are catalyzed by protons. Such organic reactions include the production of ethers by the reaction of an alcohol with an olefin or an olefin oxide, the production of an ether by the reaction of a primary or secondary aliphatic alcohol or an olefin oxide, the production of an alkyl aromatic compound by the reaction of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an olefin or a C.sub.2 or higher alcohol and the production of an alcohol by the hydration of an olefin.

Abstract: Alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons wherein the alkyl group is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl group are transalkylated or dealkylated in the presence as catalyst of either a cation-exchangeable layered clay or a cation-exchangeable stabilized pillared layered clay.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of hydrogen ion-exchanged layered clays in organic reactions which are catalyzed by protons. Such organic reactions include the production of ethers by the reaction of an alcohol with an olefin or an olefin oxide, the production of an ether by the reaction of a primary or secondary aliphatic alcohol or an olefin oxide, the production of an alkyl aromatic compound by the reaction of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an olefin or a C.sub.2 or higher alcohol and the production of an alcohol by the hydration of an olefin.

Abstract: A method for carrying out processes capable of catalysis by protons using as catalyst a stabilized pillared interlayered clay.

Abstract: C.sub.2 to C.sub.10, preferably C.sub.3 to C.sub.6, aliphatic linear olefins are converted to a product comprising at least one hydrocarbon of higher carbon number selected from dimers, oligomers, alkanes, olefins and aromatics by contacting the olefin at elevated temperature with a catalyst comprising a cation-exchangeable layered clay.

Abstract: The activity of cation-exchangeable layered clay or crystalline aluminosilicate catalyst in esterification, etherification, hydration, and cracking reactions is promoted by addition of a strong acid such as sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid or para-toluene sulphonic acid. The further addition of water to the reaction can extend the life of the clay catalyst and in some cases its catalytic activity.

Abstract: A fermentation process for the production of microbial biomass and a heteropolysaccharide biopolymer using methane as a carbon source. The biomass is suitable for use as a feedstuff and the polymer can be used as a thickening agent e.g. in foods or in the oil industry for use in drilling muds and to assist the recovery of subterranean deposits of oil. The process comprises cultivating at least one strain of a methane utilizing and extracellular heteropolysaccharide biopolymer forming bacterium of the group Methylomonas in a broth comprising an aqueous nutrient medium and a utilizable nitrogen source in the presence of a gas containing methane as a carbon source and a gas containing free oxygen and recovering biomass and heteropolysaccharide biopolymer from the cultivated broth.