Abstract: Maleic anhydride is produced by the oxidation of 1,3-butadiene, n-butylenes, crotonaldehyde and furan with molecular oxygen in the vapor phase in the presence of catalytic oxides of antimony, molybdenum, at least one element selected from the group consisting of niobium, zirconium, titanium and tantalum and optionally a reducing agent capable of reducing at least part of the molybdenum in the catalyst to a valence state below +6 selected from the group consisting of hydrazine hydrate, molybdenum, tungsten, magnesium, aluminum, and nickel. This catalyst may optionally contain one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Li, Ag, Ce, Cd, Co, As, Si, Zn, Ge, Bi, Ru, Pt, U, Al and Ni. Preferred catalysts contain Nb, Zr, Ta or Ti in combination with Nb, Zr, or Ta. Especially desirable yields of maleic anhydride are obtained from 1,3-butadiene in the presence of a catalyst wherein molybdenum metal is used as a reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of unsaturated aliphatic acids and the catalyst therefor, by the vapor phase oxidation of the corresponding unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes with molecular oxygen, optionally in the presence of steam, in the presence of an oxidation catalyst consisting of the oxides of the elements molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten and lanthanum, and optionally one or more of the oxides of the elements manganese, iron, copper, aluminum, cobalt, nickel, phosphorus, zinc, bismuth, silver, cadmium, niobium, arsenic, chromium, the alkali and the alkaline earth elements.

Abstract: Exceptionally reproducible catalysts comprising vanadium and phosphorus are obtained when the catalysts are prepared in an aqueous oxide slurry comprising vanadium, phosphorus and a mineral acid-free, inorganic reducing agent, which is capable of reducing the vanadium in the catalyst to a valence state below +5. Additional promoters may be selected from the group of elements of Group IB through VIB, VIII, lanthanides, actinides, and IA through VIA, excluding the elements H, N, O, C, Fr, Ra, and Po. Catalysts of particular interest consist of the elements vanadium, phosphorus, oxygen, and optionally at least one of Ta, Ce, Cr, Mn, Co, S, Cu, Sb, Fe, Bi, W, Mo, Hf, Zr, Th, an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: Exceptionally reproducible catalysts comprising vanadium and phosphorus are obtained when the catalysts are prepared in an aqueous oxide slurry comprising vanadium, phosphorus and a mineral acid-free, inorganic reducing agent, which is capable of reducing the vanadium in the catalyst to a valence state below +5. Additional promoters may be selected from the group of elements of Group IB through VIB, VIII, lanthanides, actinides, and IA through VIA, excluding the elements H, N, O, C, Fr, Ra, and Po. Catalysts of particular interest consist of the elements vanadium, phosphorus, uranium and oxygen, or vanadium, phosphorus, oxygen and uranium in combination with at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ta, Ce, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Sb, Fe, Bi, W, Mo, Hf, Zr, Th, S, an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: Maleic anhydride and acrylic acid are produced by the oxidation of 1,3-butadiene, n-butylenes, crotonaldehyde and furan with molecular oxygen in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalytic oxide of antimony, molybdenum, vanadium and lithium, cerium, or mixture thereof, wherein the element selected from the group consisting of calcium, iron, tungsten, magnesium, aluminum and nickel is optionally added as a reducing agent. The oxidation of 1,3-butadiene in the presence of a catalyst wherein tungsten metal is used as a reducing agent gives especially desirable high yields to maleic anhydride.

Abstract: The present invention is a catalyst composition consisting of oxides or oxide complexes that contains catalytically significant amounts of cerium, tungsten, vanadium and molybdenum plus optionally one or more of Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Mg, Mn, Bi, Ti, Zr, Sn, P, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, lanthanum or an element of the lanthanoid series. These catalysts are especially useful for producing acrylic acid from acrolein and for producing methacrylic acid from methacrolein.

Abstract: The present invention is a catalyst composition consisting of oxides or oxide complexes that contains catalytically significant amounts of cerium, tungsten, vanadium and molybdenum plus optionally one or more of Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Mg, Mn, Bi, Ti, Zr, Sn, P, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, lanthanum or an element of the lanthanoid series. These catalysts are especially useful for producing acrylic acid from acrolein and for producing methacrylic acid from methacrolein.

Abstract: Maleic anhydride is produced by the oxidation of 1,3-butadiene, n-butylenes, crotonaldehyde and furan with molecular oxygen in the vapor phase in the presence of catalytic oxides of antimony, molybdenum, at least one element selected from the group consisting of niobium, zirconium, titanium and tantalum and optionally a reducing agent capable of reducing at least part of the molybdenum in the catalyst to a valence state below +6 selected from the group consisting of hydrazine hydrate, molybdenum, tungsten, magnesium, aluminum, and nickel. This catalyst may optionally contain one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Li, Ag, Ce, Cd, Co, As, Si, Zn, Ge, Bi, Ru, Pt, U, Al and Ni. Especially desirable yields of maleic anhydride are obtained from 1,3-butadiene in the presence of a catalyst wherein molybdenum metal is used as a reducing agent.

Abstract: A reactor that consists of a single shell that contains a reaction zone and a regeneration zone. The reaction zone and regeneration zone are arranged in such a manner that (a) a particulate solid may be transferred by flow of gases from the regeneration zone to the reaction zone by a first route and then back to the regeneration zone by a second route; and (b) the gases passing through the regeneration zone are not transferred to the reaction zone and the gases passing through the reaction zone are not transferred to the regeneration zone.

Abstract: Maleic anhydride is produced by the oxidation of n-butane, n-butenes, 1,3-butadiene or mixture thereof with molecular oxygen in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalytic oxide of molybdenum, phosphorus, arsenic, oxygen, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sn, rare earth metal, Zr, Rh, Mn, Re, Ru, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ti and Cr, Nb, Al, Ga, and alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: An automatic catalyst screening unit for determining if one or more potential catalysts exhibits significant catalytic activity for a particular chemical reaction comprising a reactor module defining a plurality of elongated reaction chambers for receiving respective potential catalysts; feeding means for individually and selectively feeding each of the reaction chambers with gaseous reactant; and analyzing means for analyzing the product passing out of the reaction chambers, the analyzing means communicating with the plurality of reaction chambers by means of a common manifold.

Abstract: Very desirable temperature control and selectivity are obtained in the oxidation of benzene to maleic anhydride using an oxidation catalyst of an essentially inert support of at least 20 microns containing on its outer surface a coating of a catalytically active oxide material or a catalytically active oxide material and an oxide support.

Abstract: Maleic anhydride is produced by the oxidation of n-butane, n-butenes, 1,3-butadiene with molecular oxygen in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalytic oxide of molybdenum, phosphorus, bismuth, copper, oxygen, and a halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine or iodine.

Abstract: Maleic anhydride is produced by the oxidation of n-butane, n-butenes, 1,3-butadiene or mixture thereof with molecular oxygen in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalytic oxide of molybdenum, phosphorus, rubidium, oxygen, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sn, rare earth element, Ni, Zr, Ba, Fe, Rh, Mn, Re, Ru, Co and Cu.

Abstract: Maleic anhydride is produced by the oxidation of n-butane, n-butenes, 1,3-butadiene or mixture thereof with molecular oxygen in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalytic oxide of molybdenum, phosphorus, oxygen, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of As, Rb, Pd, Cd, Cs, Tl and In.

Abstract: Vanadium-free catalysts consisting essentially of oxides of titanium and phosphorus have been found to be especially effective in the oxidation of n-butane, n-butenes and 1,3-butadiene with molecular oxygen in the vapor phase to yield maleic anhydride. The reaction with n-butane gives an especially pure product in good yield and selectivity.

Abstract: Catalysts which are excellent for exothermic reactions have been discovered. These catalysts consist of an essentially inert support having a strongly adherent outer coating of active catalytic material.

Abstract: Phthalic anhydride is prepared by the oxidation of ortho-xylene with molecular oxygen at a temperature of about 200.degree. to about 600.degree. C. in the presence of an oxidation catalyst that comprises an essentially inert support having a strongly-adhering coat of a catalytic composition containing an oxide of vanadium wherein the concentration of vanadium is less than 10%.

Abstract: Maleic anhydride is prepared by reacting n-butene with molecular oxygen at a temperature of about 200.degree. to about 600.degree. C in a fluid-bed reactor using a catalyst charge containing two different catalysts--the first catalyst being one that is especially effective for preparing butadiene from the n-butylenes; and the second catalyst being one that is especially effective for preparing maleic anhydride from butadiene. Unexpectedly, substantial yields of maleic anhydride are obtained.

Abstract: Phthalic anhydride is prepared by the oxidation of ortho-xylene with molecular oxygen at a temperature of about 200.degree. to about 600.degree. C. in the presence of an oxidation catalyst that comprises an essentially inert support having a strongly-adhering coat of a catalytic composition containing an oxide of vanadium wherein the concentration of vanadium is less than 10%.