Patents by Inventor Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr.

Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6440892
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and catalyst composition for carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds, comprising the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst composition comprising an effective amount of at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal source, an effective amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts comprising at least one Group 4 metal source and at least one Group 11 metal source, an effective amount of at least one salt co-catalyst with an anion selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, benzoate, acetate, sulfate, and nitrate, wherein the carbonylation catalyst composition is free of a halide source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kirill Vladimirovich Shalyaev, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., Bruce Fletcher Johnson
  • Patent number: 6440893
    Abstract: A method and catalyst composition for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds is disclosed. The present invention provides a method for carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds, comprising the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a halide-free carbonylation catalyst composition comprising an effective amount of at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal source, an effective amount of a first inorganic co-catalyst comprising at least one Group 14 metal source, an effective amount of a salt co-catalyst, and optionally an effective amount of a second inorganic co-catalyst selected from the group consisting of a Group 4 metal source, a Group 7 metal source, a Group 11 metal source, and a lanthanide element source, and optionally an effective amount of a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kirill Vladimirovich Shalyaev, Bruce Fletcher Johnson, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., Grigorii Lev Soloveichik
  • Patent number: 6380418
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having an effective amount of a manganese source in the absence of a Group VIII B metal source. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include at least one inorganic co-catalyst, as well as a halide composition and/or a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ben Purushotam Patel, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., Kirill Vladimirovich Shalyaev
  • Patent number: 6380417
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts containing manganese and nickel; manganese and iron; manganese and chromium; manganese and cerium; manganese and europium; manganese, cerium, and europium; manganese, iron, and europium; or manganese and thorium. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various other inorganic co-catalyst combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Lawrence Spivack, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., James Norman Cawse, Bruce Fletcher Johnson, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, John Yaw Ofori, Eric James Pressman
  • Patent number: 6372683
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having catalytic amounts of the following components: a Group VIII B metal source; a combination of inorganic co-catalysts including a copper source and at least one of a titanium source or a zirconium source; an onium chloride composition; and a base. Alternative embodiments include inorganic co-catalyst combinations of a lead source and at least one of a titanium source or a manganese source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kirill Vladimirovich Shalyaev, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, Bruce Fletcher Johnson, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6365538
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having catalytic amounts of the following components: a Group VIII B metal source; an alkaline metal chloride; a polyether; and a base. Alternative embodiments substitute a catalytic amount of a nitrile promoter for the polyether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kirill Vladimirovich Shalyaev, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, Bruce Fletcher Johnson, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6355597
    Abstract: A catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of an inorganic co-catalyst containing bismuth. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various inorganic co-catalyst combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Lawrence Spivack, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., James Norman Cawse, Bruce Fletcher Johnson, Kirill Shalyaev
  • Patent number: 6355824
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having an effective amount of an iron source in the absence of a Group VIII B metal source. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include at least one inorganic co-catalyst, as well as a halide composition and/or a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ben Purushotam Patel, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., Kirill Vladimirovich Shalyaev
  • Patent number: 6323358
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having an effective amount of a cobalt source in the absence of a Group VIII B metal source. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include at least one inorganic co-catalyst, as well as a halide composition and/or a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ben Purushotam Patel, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., Kirill Vladimirovich Shalyaev
  • Patent number: 6207849
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having catalytic amounts of the following components: a Group VIII B metal source; a combination of inorganic co-catalysts including a copper source and at least one of a titanium source or a zirconium source; an onium chloride composition; and a base. Alternative embodiments include inorganic co-catalyst combinations of a lead source and at least one of a titanium source or a manganese source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kirill Vladimirovich Shalyaev, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, Bruce Fletcher Johnson, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6201146
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of an inorganic co-catalyst containing titanium. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various inorganic co-catalyst combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Lawrence Spivack, James Norman Cawse, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., Bruce Fletcher Johnson, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik
  • Patent number: 6187942
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having an effective amount of an iron source as the primary catalyst component in the absence of a Group VIII B metal source. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include at least one inorganic co-catalyst, as well as a halide composition and/or a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ben Purushotam Patel, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., Kirill Vladimirovich Shalyaev
  • Patent number: 6184409
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having an effective amount of a nickel source as the primary catalyst component in the absence of a Group VIII B metal source. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include at least one inorganic co-catalyst, as well as a halide composition and/or a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ben Purushotam Patel, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., Kirill Vladimirovich Shalyaev
  • Patent number: 6175032
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having an effective amount of a cobalt source in the absence of a Group VIII B metal source. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include at least one inorganic co-catalyst, as well as a halide composition and/or a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ben Purushotam Patel, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., Kirill Vladimirovich Shalyaev
  • Patent number: 6175033
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system having an effective amount of a manganese source in the absence of a Group VIII B metal source. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include at least one inorganic co-catalyst, as well as a halide composition and/or a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ben Purushotam Patel, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., Kirill Vladimirovich Shalyaev
  • Patent number: 6160154
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of an inorganic co-catalyst containing copper. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various inorganic co-catalyst combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Lawrence Spivack, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., James Norman Cawse, Bruce Fletcher Johnson, Marsha Mottel Grade, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, John Yaw Ofori, Eric James Pressman
  • Patent number: 6160155
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of an inorganic co-catalyst containing ytterbium. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various inorganic co-catalyst combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Lawrence Spivack, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., James Norman Cawse, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik
  • Patent number: 6143914
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts containing manganese and nickel; manganese and iron; manganese and chromium; manganese and cerium; manganese and europium; manganese, cerium, and europium; manganese, iron, and europium; or manganese and thorium. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various other inorganic co-catalyst combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Lawrence Spivack, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., James Norman Cawse, Bruce Fletcher Johnson, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik, John Yaw Ofori, Eric James Pressman
  • Patent number: 6143913
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of an inorganic co-catalyst containing zinc. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various inorganic co-catalyst combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Lawrence Spivack, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., James Norman Cawse, Bruce Fletcher Johnson
  • Patent number: 6114563
    Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of an inorganic co-catalyst containing bismuth. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various inorganic co-catalyst combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: James Lawrence Spivack, Donald Wayne Whisenhunt, Jr., James Norman Cawse, Bruce Fletcher Johnson, Kirill Shalyaev