Abstract: A process is provided for transaralkylating a class of starting compounds comprised of aryl-substituted lower alkanes and aryl-substituted fused alkylene ring compounds to produce derivatives of such compounds wherein benzyl substituents thereof have different alkyl substituents compared to the starting compounds. The process is carried out by admixing such a starting compound with a lower alkyl-substituted aromatic compound under liquid phase conditions in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst. The process makes possible new and economical routes for synthesizing desired lower alkyl-substituted benzyl group containing compounds, such as 2,2-di(lower alkyl-substituted) phenyl propanes and 1,3,3-trimethyl-1-(lower alkyl-substituted)-phenyl indans. Thus, there is provided a three-step process for making dixylylpropane from alpha methyl styrene and also a two-step process for making 1,3,3,6-tetramethyl-1-o-xylyl indan from alpha-4-dimethyl styrene.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of a contact agent comprising digesting a reducible oxide of at least one metal, the oxide of which forms a reduced metal oxide, and a support in the presence of a silicon component, drying the precipitate of the reducible oxide and calcining the precipitate to form the contact agent.

Abstract: A class of mixed oxide catalysts comprising Mn-containing oxides, alkali metals or compounds thereof, and at least one member of the group consisting of oxides of Si, oxides of alkaline earth metals, and mixed oxides of Si and at least one alkaline earth metal. In the more preferred embodiments, the third component serves as a carrier for the Mn and alkali metal components. The composition preferably comprises a major amount of the carrier material and minor amounts of the other components. The compositions are useful for hydrocarbon coversion, methane conversion, and oxidative dehydrogenation processes characterized by formation of coproduct water.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of a contact agent comprising digesting a reducible oxide of at least one metal, the oxide of which forms a reduced metal oxide, and a support in the presence of a silicon component, drying the precipitate of the reducible oxide and calcining the precipitate to form the contact agent.

Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a gas comprising methane with a contact agent at a selected temperature, the agent comprising a reducibile metal oxide, a support of at least two oxides, and an alkali metal.