Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing resin coated highly spherical proppants of sizes 12/20 and 20/40 US mesh by sintering the calcined bauxite and then coating with resol type phenolic resin comprising phenol, m-cresol and formaldehyde. Coating is done without using any coupling or partitioning agent. The resin coated proppants prepared by the method of the present invention are useful in hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas producing formations. The prepared proppants have high acid resistance towards 3% HF-12% HCl mixture and have high crush resistance (upto 15000 psi) as per API specifications.

Abstract: Pt0-nanoparticles in the size range of 0 to 10 nm were prepared in-situ by impregnation of H2PtCl6.6H2O into the nanopores of modified montmorillonite followed by reduction with different reducing agents like ethylene glycol, sodium citrate, hydrogen, hydrazine and sodium borohydrate. The montmorillonite was modified by activation with mineral acids under controlled condition for generating desired nanopores. XRD pattern of Pt0-nanoparticles revealed the formation of face centered cubic (fcc) lattice. These supported Pt0-nanoparticles show efficient catalytic activity for the selective reduction of chloronitrobenzenes. As a typical example, at a H2 pressure of 10 bars, temperature 45° C. for a period of 15 min, the Pt0-nanoparticles (prepared by reduction with hydrazine) exhibit conversion of o-chloronitrobenzene up to 100% and selectivity >99% to o-chloroanilines with very negligible amount of C—Cl bond cleavage.

Abstract: Pt0-nanoparticles in the size range of 0 to 10 nm were prepared in-situ by impregnation of H2PtCl66H2O into the nanopores of modified montmorillonite followed by reduction with different reducing agents like ethylene glycol, sodium citrate, hydrogen, hydrazine and sodium borohydrate. The montmorillonite was modified by activation with mineral acids under controlled condition for generating desired nanopores. XRD pattern of Pt0-nanoparticles revealed the formation of face centered cubic (fcc) lattice. These supported Pt0-nanoparticles show efficient catalytic activity for the selective reduction of chloronitrobenzenes. As a typical example, at a H2 pressure of 10 bars, temperature 45° C. for a period of 15 min, the Pt0-nanoparticles (prepared by reduction with hydrazine) exhibit conversion of o-chloronitrobenzene up to 100% and selectivity >99% to o-chloroanilines with very negligible amount of C—Cl bond cleavage.

Abstract: Solid acid catalyst such as acid activated-Montmorillonite clay composite has been developed by modifying the Na-Montmorillonite clay with acid (HCl) treatment for different periods such as 5 minutes to about 4 hours and activating at about 120° C. for about 2 hours. Friedel Crafts alkylation reaction between phenol and 4-hydroxybutan-2-one in presence of the acid activated Montmorillonite clay catalysts exhibiting layered clay structures (basal spacing d001 ranging from about 10 to 13.5 ?), high surface area (250-400 m2/g), highly porous {micropores in the range 5 to 15 ? and mesopores in the range 30 to 80 ?}, average pore volume 0.2 to 0.65 cc/g, and surface acidity in the range 0.4-0.6 mmol/g; under constant stirring and at pressure of 1-15 bar, temperature 100-150° C. for a period of about 12-24 hours produces 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one (Raspberry ketone) exhibiting conversion about 35-55% and high selectivity in the range 75-81%.

Abstract: Solid acid catalyst such as acid activated-Montmorillonite clay composite has been developed by modifying the Na-Montmorillonite clay with acid (HCl) treatment for different periods such as 5 minutes to about 4 hours and activating at about 12O° C. for about 2 hours. Friedel Crafts alkylation reaction between phenol and 4-hydroxybutan-2-one in presence of the acid activated Montmorillonite clay catalysts exhibiting layered clay structures (basal spacing d001 ranging from about 10 to 13.5 ?), high surface area (250-400 m2/g), highly porous {micropores in the range 5 to 15 ? and mesopores in the range 30 to 80 ?}, average pore volume 0.2 to 0.65 cc/g, and surface acidity in the range 0.4-0.6 mmol/g; under constant stirring and at pressure of 1-15 bar, temperature 100-15O° C. for a period of about 12-24 hours produces 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one (Raspberry ketone) exhibiting conversion about 35-55% and high selectivity in the range 75-81%.