Abstract: A process is described that uses a silver catalyst to convert methanol into formaldehyde in the presence of less than a stoichiometric amount of oxygen. The resulting formaldehyde is reacted without isolation with propionaldehyde over a commercially available anatase titania catalyst that is shown to be catalytically active towards the formation of methacrolein from formaldehyde and propionaldehyde with conversions and selectivities close to 90%. This titania catalyst is readily available, non-toxic, and can be used with formaldehyde and a variety of other aldehyde compounds to make ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde compounds. This process benefits from low raw material costs and is economically advantaged due to the elimination of catalyst separation. This process shows promising stability and selectivity during lifetime studies, particularly when performed in the presence of a hydrogen carrier gas.

Abstract: A commercially available anatase titania catalyst is shown to be catalytically active towards the formation of methacrolein from formaldehyde and propionaldehyde with conversions and selectivities close to 90%. This titania catalyst is readily available, non-toxic, and can be used with formaldehyde and a variety of other aldehyde compounds to make ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde compounds. This process benefits from low raw material costs and is economically advantaged due to the elimination of catalyst separation. An additional advantage of this method involves the ability of the catalyst to be fully regenerated after a calcination step at 450° C. in air. This process shows promising stability and selectivity during lifetime studies, particularly when performed in the presence of a hydrogen carrier gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making and using a titania supported palladium catalyst for the single step synthesis of 2-ethylhexanal from a feed of n-butyraldehyde. This titania supported palladium catalyst demonstrates high n-butyraldehyde conversion but also produces 2-ethylhexanal in an appreciable yield with maintained activity between runs. This method provides a single step synthesis of 2-ethylhexanal from n-butyraldehyde with a catalyst that can be regenerated that provides cleaner downstream separations relative to the traditional caustic route.

Abstract: A process is described that uses a silver catalyst to convert methanol into formaldehyde in the presence of less than a stoichiometric amount of oxygen. The resulting formaldehyde is reacted without isolation with propionaldehyde over a commercially available anatase titania catalyst that is shown to be catalytically active towards the formation of methacrolein from formaldehyde and propionaldehyde with conversions and selectivities close to 90%. This titania catalyst is readily available, non-toxic, and can be used with formaldehyde and a variety of other aldehyde compounds to make ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde compounds. This process benefits from low raw material costs and is economically advantaged due to the elimination of catalyst separation. This process shows promising stability and selectivity during lifetime studies, particularly when performed in the presence of a hydrogen carrier gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making and using a titania supported palladium catalyst for the single step synthesis of 2-ethylhexanal from a feed of n-butyraldehyde. This titania supported palladium catalyst demonstrates high n-butyraldehyde conversion but also produces 2-ethylhexanal in an appreciable yield with maintained activity between runs. This method provides a single step synthesis of 2-ethylhexanal from n-butyraldehyde with a catalyst that can be regenerated that provides cleaner downstream separations relative to the traditional caustic route.

Abstract: A commercially available anatase titania catalyst is shown to be catalytically active towards the formation of methacrolein from formaldehyde and propionaldehyde with conversions and selectivities close to 90%. This titania catalyst is readily available, non-toxic, and can be used with formaldehyde and a variety of other aldehyde compounds to make ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde compounds. This process benefits from low raw material costs and is economically advantaged due to the elimination of catalyst separation. An additional advantage of this method involves the ability of the catalyst to be fully regenerated after a calcination step at 450° C. in air. This process shows promising stability and selectivity during lifetime studies, particularly when performed in the presence of a hydrogen carrier gas.

Abstract: A method of producing acetaldehyde hydrogenates acetic acid in the presence of an iron oxide catalyst containing between 2.5 and 90 wt % Pd, more preferably 10 and 80 wt % Pd and most preferably 20 and 60 wt % Pd. The catalyst has a specific surface area of less than 150 m.sup.2 /g. Hydrogen and acetic acid are fed to a reactor in a hydrogen to acetic acid ratio of 2:1 to 25:1, more preferably in a hydrogen to acetic acid ratio of 3:1 to 15:1 and most preferably in a hydrogen to acetic acid ratio of 4:1 to 12:1. The hydrogenation is performed at a temperature of about 250.degree. C. to 400.degree. C., more preferably about 270.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. and most preferably about 280.degree. C. to 325.degree. C. The hydrogenation of acetic acid produces a partially gaseous product, and acetaldehyde is absorbed from the partially gaseous product with a solvent containing acetic acid. The gas remaining after the absorption step contains hydrogen, and this gas is recycled for the hydrogenation of acetic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for the preparation of 1,4-butenediol by the hydrolysis of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EpB) wherein a mixture of EpB and water is contacted with a catalyst comprising a catalyst support material an copper in a positive valence state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 2,5-dihydrofurans by the homogeneous, liquid phase isomerization of .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkene compounds wherein a .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkene compound is isomerized in an inert, organic solvent containing a catalytic amount of a soluble copper salt. The process is particularly useful for the conversion of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene to 2,5-dihydrofuran.

Abstract: A process useful for the recovery of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol from poly(ethylene terephthalate) or its copolymers. The process is economical, beneficial to the environment and provides polymer grade terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol from post-consumer resin. The process is a six-step process including: (1) contacting a resin containing poly(ethylene terephthalate) with water at elevated temperature and pressure, (2) cooling the resulting mixture to provide a solid portion containing terephthalic acid and a liquid portion containing ethylene glycol, (3) recovery of the ethylene glycol from the liquid portion by distillation, (4) recovery of the terephthalic acid by heating the solid portion in the presence of water vapor at elevated temperature to produce a vapor containing terephthalic acid and water, (5) cooling terephthalic acid water vapor mixture to a temperature below the dew point of terephthalic acid and (6) collecting the polymer grade terephthalic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for regeneration of a 13X zeolite catalyst comprising conducting the following steps within the regeneration zone wherein the 13X zeolite is located.(1) Applying vacuum or delivering a source of molecular oxygen or inert gas at a temperature above 100.degree. C. to remove a portion of the volatile compounds from the 13X zeolite,(2) Cooling the 13X zeolite to a temperature below 100 degrees C.,(3) Contacting the 13X zeolite with an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 7 to 14,(4) Drying the 13X zeolite,(5) Delivering an oxygen containing calcination gas to the regeneration zone and heating the 13X zeolite to a temperature in the range of 350.degree. to 450.degree. C.,(6) Cooling the 13X zeolite to a temperature below 100 degrees C., and(7) Contacting the 13X zeolite with an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 7 to 14.

Abstract: A process for iodinating aromatic compounds by reacting an aromatic compound with oxygen at low temperatures in the presence of a non-acid catalyst containing an oxidation catalyst. The catalyst may be regenerated by heating the catalyst in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A process for the vapor phase iodination of an aromatic compound which involves combusting an alkyl aromatic iodide in the presence of oxygen to produce molecular iodine and feeding the molecular iodine and an aromatic compound to an oxyiodination reaction to iodinate aromatic compounds.

Abstract: The process relates to a process for the vapor phase bromination of aromatic compounds in the presence of oxygen and a catalyst comprising an oxidizing metal and an inert support.

Abstract: A process comprising removing alkyl-substituted aromatic compounds, alkyl compounds, or cycloalkyl compounds from an aromatic stream containing these compounds by contacting the aromatic stream with molecular oxygen in the presence of a zeolite.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for isomerizing iodoaromatic compounds over a non-acidic zeolite catalyst in the liquid or gas phase in the presence of a source of iodine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for isomerizing liquid iodoaromatic compounds over an acid catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for iodinating aromatic compounds by reacting an aromatic compound with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst containing alkaline or alkaline earth cations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for iodinating aromatic compounds by reacting an aromatic compound with oxygen at low temperatures in the presence of a non-acid catalyst containing an oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 2,5-dihydrofurans by the homogeneous, liquid phase isomerization of .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkene compounds wherein a .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkene compound is isomerized in an inert, organic solvent containing a catalytic amount of a soluble copper salt. The process is particularly useful for the conversion of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene to 2,5-dihydrofuran.