Abstract: A method of alkylating the side chain of alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons. The method comprises the steps of thermally treating an alumina by calcining in air and then degassing under vacuum to prepare an alumina carrier, loading an alkali metal on the alumina carrier by an impregnation method using the alkali metal dissolved in liquid ammonia, thermally treating the alkali metal loaded alumina carrier under vacuum to prepare a catalyst, then reacting an alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon with an aliphatic monoolefin, using the catalyst, under an atmosphere substantially free of oxygen, water and carbon dioxide gas to alkylate the side chain of the alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method of alkylating a side chain of alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons. The method involves the steps of loading an alkali metal on a thermally treated hydrotalcite carrier represented by formula (I) by an impregnation method using the alkali metal dissolved in liquid ammonia, thermally treating the alkali metal loaded hydrotalcite carrier under vacuum to prepare a catalyst, then reacting an alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon with an aliphatic monoolefin using the catalyst under an atmosphere substantially free of oxygen, water and carbon dioxide gas to alkylate a side chain of the alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon:[M.sup.2+.sub.(1-x) .multidot.M.sup.3+.sub.x (OH).sub.2 ].sup.x+ .multidot.[A.sup.n-.sub.x/n ].sup.x- .multidot.yH.sub.2 O (I)wherein M.sup.2+ represents a divalent metallic cation, M.sup.3+ represents a trivalent metallic cation, A.sup.n- represents an n-valent anion, n=0.1 to 0.5, x=0.1 to 0.5, and y=0 to 8.

Abstract: A process for producing a spherical zeolite catalyst is disclosed, which comprises dropping a zeolite-containing alumina sol into a surfactant-containing oil phase from a dropping opening directly or through air to thereby form spherical droplets of the sol, and then allowing the droplets to gel in an aqueous alkaline solution phase underlying the oil phase and withdrawing the thus gelled droplets, said dropping of the sol being conducted while the dropping opening is being impulsed to thereby impart a spherical and uniform shape to the resulting zeolite particles containing alumina as a binder, and a novel apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A catalyst for hydrogenolytic dealkylation comprising rhodium on a crystalline metallo-silicate carrier and a process for hydrogenolytically dealkylating a hydrocarbon mixture mainly comprising alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons in the presence of such a catalyst are disclosed. The catalyst exhibits catalytic activity at low temperatures and high reaction selectivity and has a prolonged duration.

Abstract: A process for producing a spherical zeolite catalyst is disclosed, which comprises dropping a zeolite-containing alumina sol into a surfactant-containing oil phase from a dropping opening directly or through air to thereby form spherical droplets of the sol, and then allowing the droplets to gel in an aqueous alkaline solution phase underlying the oil phase and withdrawing the thus gelled droplets, said dropping of the sol being conducted while the dropping opening is being impulsed to thereby impart a spherical and uniform shape to the resulting zeolite particles containing alumina as a binder, and a novel apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of a solvent for use in the liquefaction of coal is described. The process comprises hydrogenating a mixture of 100 parts by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture and from 0.2 to 10 parts by weight of phenol and/or alkylphenol. The hydrocarbon mixture contains at least 50% by weight of a polycyclic (from tricyclic to pentacyclic) aromatic hydrocarbon or its alkyl derivative. The hydrocarbon mixture is distilled away in a proportion of at least 80% when heated at a temperature of from 320.degree. to 550.degree. C. The hydrogenation of the hydrocarbon mixture and phenol and/or alkylphenol may be carried out with or without the addition of from 0.05 to 0.