Patents by Inventor James C. Vartuli

James C. Vartuli has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9249078
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are catalyst compositions useful in selective decomposition of organic oxygenates. A feed comprising an organic oxygenate may be contacted with a catalyst comprising (a) at least 0.1 wt % of an oxide of an element selected from Group 3 of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein Group 3 includes the Lanthanide series; (b) at least 0.1 wt % of an oxide of an element selected from Group 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements; and (c) at least 0.1 wt % of an oxide of at least one element selected from Group 4 of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein the wt % s are based upon the total combined weight of the oxides in (a) through (c) and excludes any other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Kun Wang, Roberto Garcia, Charles Morris Smith, Doron Levin, James C. Vartuli
  • Patent number: 9115105
    Abstract: In a process for producing propylene oxide, cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with an oxygen-containing compound under oxidation conditions with or without a suitable catalyst to produce an oxidation reaction effluent comprising cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide. At least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is then reacted with propylene in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst under conditions effective to produce an epoxidation reaction effluent comprising phenylcyclohexanol and propylene oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Hari Nair, Charles Morris Smith, James R. Lattner, Krystle J. Chavez, James C. Vartuli
  • Publication number: 20150148567
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are catalyst compositions useful in selective decomposition of organic oxygenates. A feed comprising an organic oxygenate may be contacted with a catalyst comprising (a) at least 0.1 wt % of an oxide of an element selected from Group 3 of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein Group 3 includes the Lanthanide series; (b) at least 0.1 wt % of an oxide of an element selected from Group 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements; and (c) at least 0.1 wt % of an oxide of at least one element selected from Group 4 of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein the wt % s are based upon the total combined weight of the oxides in (a) through (c) and excludes any other components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Kun Wang, Roberto Garcia, Charles Morris Smith, Doron Levin, James C. Vartuli
  • Publication number: 20150126756
    Abstract: In a process for producing propylene oxide, cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with an oxygen-containing compound under oxidation conditions with or without a suitable catalyst to produce an oxidation reaction effluent comprising cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide. At least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is then reacted with propylene in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst under conditions effective to produce an epoxidation reaction effluent comprising phenylcyclohexanol and propylene oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Hari Nair, Charles Morris Smith, James R. Lattner, Krystle J. Chavez, James C. Vartuli
  • Patent number: 8658839
    Abstract: In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to a corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid, the hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide of the general formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or from the groups SO3H, NH2, OH and NO2, or from the atoms H, F, Cl, Br and I provided that R1 and R2 can be linked to one another via a covalent bond; each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from C, CH, N and CR3; each of X and Z is independently selected from C, S, CH2, N, P and elements of Group 4 of the Periodic Table; Y is O or OH; k is 0, 1, or 2; l is 0, 1, or 2; m is 1 to 3, and R3 can be any of the entities listed for R1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, James C. Vartuli, Stephen Zushma
  • Patent number: 8487138
    Abstract: In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to a corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid, the hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide of the general formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or from the groups SO3H, NH2, OH and NO2, or from the atoms H, F, Cl, Br and I provided that R1 and R2 can be linked to one another via a covalent bond; each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from C, CH, N and CR3; each of X and Z is independently selected from C, S, CH2, N, P and an element of Group 4 of the Periodic Table; Y is O or OH; k is 0, 1, or 2; 1 is 0, 1, or 2; m is 1 to 3, and R3 can be any of the entities listed for R1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, James C. Vartuli, Stephen Zushma
  • Patent number: 8367028
    Abstract: A porous material comprises oxides of silicon and aluminum and is substantially free of X-ray diffraction peaks in its calcined form. The material is characterized by the following properties: (a) a Bronsted acid site density as measured by temperature programmed ammonia adsorption of at least 0.005 mmol/g; (b) an alpha value of at least 0.5; (c) a specific surface area of about 50 to about 160 m2 g?1; (d) a total pore volume of about 0.14 to about 1.0 cm3 g?1; and (d) a micropore volume of about 0.001 to about 0.015 cm3 g?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Robert C. Lemon, Gordon J. Kennedy, Michael C. Kerby, Kirk D. Schmitt, James C. Vartuli, Kun Wang
  • Patent number: 8309780
    Abstract: Provided is a process for oligomerizing n-olefins. The process has the step of reacting (oligomerizing) an amount of one or more n-olefins in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a two or more metal oxides at a temperature effective to effect oligomerization. The two or more metal oxides are represented by the formula MOn/M?On?. M and M?, are, independently, selected from the group consisting of Al, Ce, Fe, P, W, Zr, and combinations thereof. M and M? are different metals or combinations of metals. ā€œnā€ and ā€œn?ā€ are positive numbers and vary stoichiometrically depending on the valency of M and M?, respectively. Provided is also a process for alkylation of an alkylatable aromatic compound. The process has the step of contacting an amount of one or more n-olefins with an amount of aromatic compound in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of the two or more metal oxides at a temperature effective to effect alkylation of the aromatic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jihad Mohammed Dakka, Jeffrey T. Elks, James C. Vartuli
  • Patent number: 8025863
    Abstract: A method of synthesizing a crystalline molecular sieve having an MSE framework type comprises crystallizing a reaction mixture comprising a source of water, a source of an oxide of a tetravalent element, Y, selected from at least one of silicon, tin, titanium, vanadium and germanium, a source of an alkali or alkaline earth metal, M, and a source of organic cations, Q, having the following general structure: in which R1 is hydrogen or an alkyl group, and R2 and R3 are alkyl groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Karl G. Strohmaier, Simon C. Weston, James C. Vartuli, J. Thomas Ippoliti
  • Patent number: 7985883
    Abstract: In a process for producing hydroperoxides, an alkylaromatic compound of general formula (I): in which R1 and R2 each independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, provided that R1 and R2 may be joined to form a cyclic group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, said cyclic group being optionally substituted, and R3 represents hydrogen, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group, with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a manganese oxide molecular sieve to produce a hydroperoxide of general formula (II): in which R1, R2 and R3 have the same meaning as in formula (I). The hydroperoxide of formula (II) may then be converted to a phenol and an aldehyde or a ketone of the general formula R1COCH2R2 (III), in which R1 and R2 have the same meaning as in formula (I). In the case where the ketone is cyclohexanone, this may then be dehydrogenated to produce further phenol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Vartuli, Jihad M. Dakka, Robert C. Lemon
  • Patent number: 7910772
    Abstract: A catalyst for the oxidation of an alkane, alkene or mixtures thereof. The catalyst includes a mixed-metal oxide having the formula MoaVbNbcTedSbeOf wherein, when a=1, b=0.01 to 1.0, c=0.01 to 1.0, d=0.01 to 1.0, e=0.01 to 1.0, and f is dependent upon the oxidation state of the other elements, the catalyst further characterized by having at least two crystal phases, the first crystal phase being an orthorhombic M1 phase and the second crystal phase being a pseudo-hexagonal M2 phase, the orthorhombic M1 phase present in an amount between greater than 60 weight percent to less than 90 weight percent. The catalysts disclosed herein exhibit a chemisorption of NH3 of less than about 0.2 mmole per gram of metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Kun Wang, James C. Vartuli, Wilfried Jozef Mortier, Jihad Mohammed Dakka, Robert C. Lemon
  • Publication number: 20100324326
    Abstract: A catalyst for the oxidation of an alkane, alkene or mixtures thereof. The catalyst includes a mixed-metal oxide having the formula MoaVbNbcTedSbeOf wherein, when a=1, b=0.01 to 1.0, c=0.01 to 1.0, d=0.01 to 1.0, e=0.01 to 1.0, and f is dependent upon the oxidation state of the other elements, the catalyst further characterized by having at least two crystal phases, the first crystal phase being an orthorhombic M1 phase and the second crystal phase being a pseudo-hexagonal M2 phase, the orthorhombic M1 phase present in an amount between greater than 60 weight percent to less than 90 weight percent. The catalysts disclosed herein exhibit a chemisorption of NH3 of less than about 0.2 mmole per gram of metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Kun Wang, James C. Vartuli, Wilfried J. Mortier, Jihad M. Dakka, Robert C. Lemon
  • Patent number: 7807601
    Abstract: A catalyst for the oxidation of an alkane, alkene or mixtures thereof. The catalyst includes a mixed-metal oxide having the formula MoaVbNbcTedSbeOf wherein, when a=1, b=0.01 to 1.0, c=0.01 to 1.0, d=0.01 to 1.0, e=0.01 to 1.0, and f is dependent upon the oxidation state of the other elements, the catalyst further characterized by having at least two crystal phases, the first crystal phase being an orthorhombic M1 phase and the second crystal phase being a pseudo-hexagonal M2 phase, the orthorhombic M1 phase present in an amount between greater than 60 weight percent to less than 90 weight percent. The catalysts disclosed herein exhibit a chemisorption of NH3 of less than about 0.2 mmole per gram of metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Kun Wang, James C. Vartuli, Wilfried J. Mortier, Jihad M. Dakka, Robert C. Lemon
  • Patent number: 7803338
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for catalytically processing a gas stream passing therethrough to reduce the presence of NOx therein, wherein the apparatus includes a first catalyst composed of a silver containing alumina that is adapted for catalytically processing the gas stream at a first temperature range, and a second catalyst composed of a copper containing zeolite located downstream from the first catalyst, wherein the second catalyst is adapted for catalytically processing the gas stream at a lower second temperature range relative to the first temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignees: ExonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Socha, James C. Vartuli, El-Mekki El-Malki, Mohan Kalyanaraman, Paul W. Park
  • Publication number: 20100234589
    Abstract: In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to a corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid, the hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide of the general formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or from the groups SO3H, NH2, OH and NO2, or from the atoms H, F, Cl, Br and I provided that R1 and R2 can be linked to one another via a covalent bond; each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from C, CH, N and CR3; each of X and Z is independently selected from C, S, CH2, N, P and an element of Group 4 of the Periodic Table; Y is O or OH; k is 0, 1, or 2; 1 is 0, 1, or 2; m is 1 to 3, and R3 can be any of the entities listed for R1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, James C. Vartuli, Stephen Zushma
  • Publication number: 20100222609
    Abstract: In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to a corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid, the hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide of the general formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or from the groups SO3H, NH2, OH and NO2, or from the atoms H, F, Cl, Br and I provided that R1 and R2 can be linked to one another via a covalent bond; each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from C, CH, N and CR3; each of X and Z is independently selected from C, S, CH2, N, P and elements of Group 4 of the Periodic Table; Y is O or OH; k is 0, 1, or 2; 1 is 0, 1, or 2; m is 1 to 3, and R3 can be any of the entities listed for R1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, James C. Vartuli, Stephen Zushma
  • Publication number: 20100217048
    Abstract: In a process for producing hydroperoxides, an alkylaromatic compound of general formula (I): in which R1 and R2 each independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, provided that R1 and R2 may be joined to form a cyclic group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, said cyclic group being optionally substituted, and R3 represents hydrogen, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group, with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a manganese oxide molecular sieve to produce a hydroperoxide of general formula (II): in which R1, R2 and R3 have the same meaning as in formula (I). The hydroperoxide of formula (II) may then be converted to a phenol and an aldehyde or a ketone of the general formula R1COCH2R2 (III), in which R1 and R2 have the same meaning as in formula (I). In the case where the ketone is cyclohexanone, this may then be dehydrogenated to produce further phenol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: James C. Vartuli, Jihad M. Dakka, Robert C. Lemon
  • Publication number: 20100197978
    Abstract: The invention relates to the production of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) by direct hydration of propylene over mixed transition metal oxides co-precipitated with ZrO2. In embodiments the mixed metal oxides have improved hydrolytic stability and are active over a wider temperature range than existing direct hydration catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, Doron Levin, Stephen McCarthy, Travis Allen Reine, Mary Jo Schneider, James C. Vartuli, Charles M. Yarbrough
  • Publication number: 20100189620
    Abstract: A porous material comprises oxides of silicon and aluminum and is substantially free of X-ray diffraction peaks in its calcined form. The material is characterized by the following properties: (a) a Bronsted acid site density as measured by temperature programmed ammonia adsorption of at least 0.005 mmol/g; (b) an alpha value of at least 0.5; (c) a specific surface area of about 50 to about 160 m2 g?1; (d) a total pore volume of about 0.14 to about 1.0 cm3 g?1; and (d) a micropore volume of about 0.001 to about 0.015 cm3 g?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Robert C. Lemon, Gordon J. Kennedy, Michael C. Kerby, Kirk D. Schmitt, James C. Vartuli, Kun Wang
  • Patent number: 7649123
    Abstract: A process for the oligomerization of propylene is disclosed wherein a tungstated zirconia catalyst prepared as a distillation structure is used in a reaction distillation zone under conditions of temperature and pressure to concurrently react the propylene to produce oligomers thereof and separate the oligomer products from unreacted propylene by fractional distillation in a distillation column reactor. Compared to the prior art tubular or plug flow reactors, lower temperatures and pressures are used to produce higher conversions and selectivities to preferred isomeric forms useful for preparing neo acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignees: Catalytic Distillation Technologies, ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Keenan, Ramzi Y. Saleh, James C. Vartuli, Robert C. Lemon, Jean W. Beeckman, Christopher C. Boyer, Mitchell E. Loescher