Abstract: A diesel fuel composition is set forth for an increased cetane number vis-a-vis conventional diesel fuel compositions. The composition generally comprises one or more compounds selected from the dialkoxy alkane (DAAK) chemical family. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diesel fuel composition consists of moderate amounts of dimethoxy propane (DMPP) and dimethoxy ethane (DMET) blended into a conventional diesel fuel.

Abstract: Oxygenated acetyl compounds ethylidene diacetate, acetic acid, acetic anhydride, acetaldehyde, and methyl acetate are produced directly from synthesis gas and dimethyl ether in a catalyzed liquid phase reaction system. The inclusion of carbon dioxide in the synthesis gas in selected amounts increases the overall yield of oxygenated acetyl compounds from the reactant dimethyl ether. When methanol is included in the reactor feed, the addition of carbon dioxide significantly improves the molar selectivity to ethylidene diacetate.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising a perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer containing sulfonic acid groups supported on an inert carrier having a hydrophobic surface with a mean pore diameter of at least 1000 .ANG.. Use of this catalyst provides improved hydrocarbon conversion processes for oligomerization of olefins, hydration of olefins and hydrolysis of esters.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising a perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer containing sulfonic acid groups supported on an inert carrier having a hydrophobic surface with a mean pore diameter of at least 1000 .ANG.. Use of this catalyst provides improved hydrocarbon conversion processes for oligomerization of olefins, hydration of olefins and hydrolysis of esters.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing organic esters wherein a dialkyl ether and a carboxylic acid are reacted in the presence of a solid phase acidic catalyst having an acidity factor of at least 0.30, preferably at least 1, under reaction conditions sufficient to form a reaction mixture comprising the desired organic ester and an alcohol and recovering the organic ester. For example, methyl acetate can be prepared by reacting dimethyl ether and acetic acid in the presence of montmorillonite, amorphous silica-alumina or .kappa.-alumina under conditions sufficient to form methyl acetate. While typical processes produce an azeotropic mixture of the desired organic ester and water, the claimed process utilizes a combination or reactants and catalysts wherein water is not produced in appreciable amounts. Therefore, the organic ester product can be separated conveniently thereby avoiding a cumbersome azeotropic distillation step as required in prior art processes.

Abstract: N-vinyl-O-methyl carbamate is formed preferentially by heating dimethyl ethylidene dicarbamate in the liquid phase at a temperature of 155.degree. to 350.degree. C. and at a pressure which permits the vinyl carbamate to vaporize as it is formed. This vinyl carbamate is quickly condensed and can then be separated from the methyl carbamate which also emanates from the liquid phase. The yield of N-vinyl-O-methyl carbamate is enhanced by including carbon in the liquid phase in contact with the dimethyl ethylidene dicarbamate as it is pyrolyzed. Using carbon in the same manner is advantageous in producing other lower alkyl N-vinyl-O-alkyl carbamates. Preferably the carbon has a surface area of 300 to 1500 m.sup.2 /g and is present in an amount such that the weight ratio of dialkyl ethylidene dicarbamate to carbon is in the range of 50 to 500. The product is a monomer which can be used in making amine-functional polymers.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising a perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer containing sulfonic acid groups supported on an inert carrier having a hydrophobic surface with a mean pore diameter of at least 1000 .ANG.. Use of this catalyst provides improved hydrocarbon conversion processes for oligomerization of olefins, hydration of olefins and hydrolysis of esters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing ethylidene diacetate (EDDA) wherein at least one process step comprises condensing a feedstock of acetaldehyde and acetic anhydride in the presence of acetic acid and an iodide catalyst selected from the group consisting of potassium iodide, lithium iodide, methyl iodide and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, EDDA is prepared in an integrated process wherein the previously mentioned feedback is prepared by reacting dimethyl ether and acetic acid to form a first intermediate product mixture and hydrocarbonylating the first intermediate product mixture to form the condensation feedstock.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing organic esters wherein a dialkyl ether and a carboxylic acid are reacted in the presence of a catalyst consisting essentially of an iodide of a Group IA element under reaction conditions sufficient to form a reaction mixture comprising the desired organic ester and an alcohol and recovering the ester from the reaction product mixture. For example, methyl acetate can be prepared by reacting dimethyl ether and acetic acid in the presence of a hydrogen iodide or lithium iodide catalyst under conditions sufficient to form methyl acetate and methanol. While typical processes produce an azeotropic mixture of the desired organic ester and water, the claimed process utilizes a combination or reactants and catalysts wherein water is not produced in appreciable amounts. Therefore, the organic ester product can be separated conveniently thereby avoiding a cumbersome azeotropic distillation step as required in prior art processes.

Abstract: Transvinylation of a vinyl ester with either an alcohol to form a vinyl ether or a carboxylic acid to form a vinyl ester of different molecular weight than the starting ester is catalyzed with a palladium catalyst which is introduced to the reaction mixture as a palladium carboxylate complexed with an aryl N-containing ligand and the activity of this reaction is significantly improved with the addition of a strong acid. Also described are phenanthroline compounds and their novel complexes with palladium acetate which are useful as transvinylation catalysts.

Abstract: Improved processes for acid-catalyzed oligomerization of olefins and alkylation of toluene are disclosed using a catalyst blend of at least one perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer containing sulfonic acid groups and at least one polymer diluent in a nonpolar reaction mixture.

Abstract: Improved processes for acid-catalyzed oligomerization of olefins and alkylation of toluene are disclosed using a catalyst blend of at least one perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer containing sulfonic acid groups and at least one polymer diluent in a nonpolar reaction mixture.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising a perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer containing sulfonic acid groups supported on an inert carrier having a hydrophobic surface with a mean pore diameter of at least 1000 .ANG.. Use of this catalyst provides improved hydrocarbon conversion processes for oligomerization of olefins, hydration of olefins and hydrolysis of esters.

Abstract: Perfluorinated acid ion-exchange resins are highly effective catalysts for the isomerization of 3-pentenoic compounds to 4-pentenoic compounds, especially if the catalysts contain a group 8 metal in an oxidation state of at least +2.

Abstract: An improved for preparing N-substituted carbamate comprising reaction of a selected olefin or alcohol with a carbamate in the presence of a catalyst comprising a blend of a perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer and a perfluorinated polymer diluent in a substantially nonpolar reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process for preparing urethanes by reacting a primary or secondary amine with carbon monoxide, an alcohol, a catalytic quantity of a compound or complex of palladium, platinum or rhodium and a stoichiometric quantity of a copper(II) salt of a monocarboxylic acid. When the amine is aromatic, the process is conducted in the presence of a selected Lewis base promoter and a compound or complex of palladium.

Abstract: Isomerization by contacting 3-pentenenitrile with a heterogeneous catalyst, preferably promoted with at least 1 group 8 noble metal, to form 4-pentenenitrile.

Abstract: A process for producing a cyclopropane derivative comprising contacting a diazo compound and an olefinically unsaturated compound in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper cation-exchanged perfluorinated ion exchange polymer is disclosed.

Abstract: A catalytic process for the hydration of cyclohexene to cyclohexanol in the presence of perfluorosulfonic acid polymer.

Abstract: Process for oxidatively carbonylating toluene to toluic acid, at least 50 mol % of the toluic acid being the p-isomer, said process comprising contacting and reacting, at 110.degree.-250.degree. C., at a pressure of at least 500 psi (3.45 MPa), toluene, carbon monoxide, oxygen and the catalyst ingredients consisting essentially of(a) a compound of rhodium or iridium;(b) a sulfur oxy-acid or a Group Ia or IIa metal salt of a sulfur oxy-acid;(c) a sulfur oxy-acid or sulfur oxy-acid mixture having a Hammett acidity value (-H.sub.o) of greater than 7.0; and(d) a cupric salt of a sulfur oxy-acid;said catalyst ingredients containing 0.3-30 mol % of (a) and 70-99.7 mol % of (b+c+d), with the molar ratios (b/a) and (c/a) each being at least 2 and the molar ratio (d/a) being at least 0.5, and recovering toluic acid.