Abstract: Organic compounds are dehydrogenated to compounds having a higher degree of unsaturation by contacting the feedstock in the vapor phase at an elevated temperature in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas with a catalyst containing nickel in combination with phosphorus and oxygen. The nickel-phosphorus-oxygen catalysts are particularly characterized in that they contain from 0.1 to 16.8 weight percent phosphorus, based on the weight of the nickel-phosphorus-oxygen catalyst. Representative of such conversions is the oxidative dehydrogenation of butane to 1,3-butadiene. The conversion products are valuable compounds particularly useful as intermediates for the preparation of polymeric materials such as synthetic rubbers and the like.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing methane in which hydrogen and carbon monoxide are contacted in the presence of a supported nickel or cobalt catalyst which is further promoted by a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table. In an embodiment of the invention a metal from Group VIB of the Periodic Table, preferably tungsten, is used along with the Group VIII noble metal to promote the methanation reaction.

Abstract: Alkanes are catalytically cracked employing a catalyst comprising unpromoted calcium oxide or at least one alkaline earth oxide together with a promoting amount of an additional component.BACKGROUNDThe invention relates to a method for cracking alkanes.Catalytic cracking of various hydrocarbons to provide more valuable or more useful products constitutes a very important part of refining operations. Although many catalytic cracking processes and catalysts are known, catalytic cracking is an area of continuing research in an effort to find new processes and catalysts which are more efficient, more selective to desired products, and more economical.An object of the invention is to crack alkanes.Another object of the invention is to crack alkanes using a catalyst.Still another object of the invention is to provide a catalyst for cracking alkanes.Other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon studying the specification and the appended claims.

Abstract: Organic compounds are dehydrogenated to compounds having a higher degree of unsaturation by contacting the feedstock in the vapor phase at an elevated temperature in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas with a catalyst containing nickel in combination with phosphorus and oxygen. The nickel-phosphorus-oxygen catalysts are particularly characterized in that they contain from 0.1 to 16.8 weight percent phosphorus, based on the weight of the nickel-phosphorus-oxygen catalyst. Representative of such conversions is the oxidative dehydrogenation of butane to 1,3-butadiene. The conversion products are valuable compounds particularly useful as intermediates for the preparation of polymeric materials such as synthetic rubbers and the like.