Abstract: A catalytic composition useful for the conversion of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof. The catalytic composition comprises a complex of metal oxides comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium and other promoters, wherein the ratio of bismuth to cerium ratio in the composition is greater than or equal to 0.45 and less than or equal to 1.5.

Abstract: A catalytic composition useful for the conversion of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof. The catalytic composition comprises a complex of metal oxides comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium and other promoters, with a desirable composition.

Abstract: A catalytic composition useful for the conversion of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof. The catalytic composition comprises a complex of metal oxides comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium and other promoters, wherein the ratio of bismuth to cerium ratio in the composition is greater than or equal to 0.45 and less than or equal to 1.5.

Abstract: A process for the ammoxidation of a saturated or unsaturated or mixture of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon to produce an unsaturated nitrile, said process comprising contacting the saturated or unsaturated or mixture of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon with ammonia and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising molybdenum, vanadium, antimony, niobium, tellurium, optionally at least one element select from the group consisting of titanium, tin, germanium, zirconium, hafnium, and optionally at least one lanthanide selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium. Such catalysts are characterized by very low levels of tellurium in the composition. Such catalyst compositions are effective for the gas-phase conversion of propane to acrylonitrile and isobutane to methacrylonitrile (via ammoxidation).

Abstract: A process for the ammoxidation of a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon to form an unsaturated nitrile, the process including the steps of contacting the hydrocarbon with ammonia, an oxygen-containing gas, and steam, in the presence of a mixed oxide catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising molybdenum, vanadium, and antimony, and at least one other element selected from the group consisting of praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium. Such catalyst compositions are effective for the gas-phase conversion of propane to acrylonitrile and isobutane to methacrylonitrile (via ammoxidation).

Abstract: The invention is a method for the reduction of ammonia breakthrough during the manufacture of acrylonitrile comprising introducing a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane and isobutane; ammonia and an oxygen-containing gas into a lower portion of a fluid-bed reactor containing an ammoxidation catalyst to react in the presence of said catalyst to produce acrylonitrile. The method comprises introducing into the reactor at least one C2 to C5 olefin which will react with at least a portion of the unreacted ammonia and oxygen present in the reactor to substantially reduce the amount of ammonia present in the reactor effluent exiting the reactor.

Abstract: A method of making a promoted vanadium antimony oxide catalyst comprising reacting a monoperoxovanadium ion while in aqueous solution with the antimony compound wherein the improvement comprises adding the antimony compound to the aqueous slurry in at least two steps.

Abstract: The process for the ammoxidation of a C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 paraffinic hydrocarbon to its corresponding .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated hydrocarbon comprising reacting the C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 paraffinic hydrocarbon with ammonia and oxygen in a fluid bed reactor at a temperature of between 250.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst having the empirical formula as follows:V.sub.v Sb.sub.m A.sub.a D.sub.d O.sub.xwherein A when present is Sn and/or Ti;D when present is one or more of Li, Mg, Na, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Fe, Cr, Ga, Ni, Zn, Ge, Nb, Zr, Mo, W, Cu, Te, Ta, Se, Bi, Ce, In, As, B, Al, P and Mn; andwherein v is 1, m is 0.5-75, a is 0 to 25, d is 0 to 25, and x is determined by the oxidation state of the cations present,and a minor quantity of an halogen-containing component, preferably characterized by the following formula:R--X or X.sub.2where R=Hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyland X=F, Cl, Br, I or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing an attrition resistant vanadium-antimony oxide catalyst by adding to a vanadium-antimony oxide catalyst slurry a lithium compound which upon contact with the aqueous catalyst slurry provides hydroxide, such as lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate. The process comprises the steps of preparing a catalyst slurry comprising vanadium oxide and antimony oxide, adding the lithium compound to the catalyst slurry, concentrating the catalyst slurry to increase the solids content of the slurry, and drying the catalyst slurry to form attrition resistant particles of catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making an activated antimony and vanadium-containing catalyst in oxide form having an atomic ratio of Sb:V in the range from 0.8-4, which comprises calcining such an oxidic vanadium and antimony-containing composition at a temperature of over 750.degree. C., and thereafter contacting said calcined catalyst with a hydroxy compound in liquid form selected from (1) cyclohexanol, (2) cyclopentanol, (3) a monohydroxy, acyclic hydrocarbon having 1-8 C atoms, and (4) a dihydroxy, acyclic hydrocarbon having 2-4 carbon atoms, and separating as a liquid said compound from said catalyst insofar as it is present beyond the amount wetting said catalyst, and thereafter drying said catalyst.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising lead doped zirconium compounds are particularly effective in an oxidative process for upgrading low molecular weight alkanes to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, and especially for upgrading methane to form ethane and ethylene. The catalysts can be employed in a process performed at elevated temperatures and in the presence or absence of gaseous oxygen. The catalysts are substantially free of PbO and uncombined Pb and remain stable for long periods of time.

Abstract: A multi-component oxide catalyst comprising zinc and an alkali metal is described which is useful particularly for converting methane and/or natural gas to higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products such as ethane and ethylene. The catalyst is characterized by the formulaZn.sub.a A.sub.b M.sub.c M'.sub.d O.sub.xwhereinA is Li, Na, K, or mixtures thereof;M is Al, Ga, Cr, La, Y, Sc, V, Nb, Ta, Cu or mixtures thereof;M' is Cs, Rb, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sm, Pb, Mn, Sb, P, Sn, Bi, Ti, Zr, Hf, or mixtures thereof;a is from about 1 to about 20;b is from about 0.1 to about 20;c is from about 0 to about 5;d is from about 0 to about 20; andx is a number needed to fulfill the valence requirements of the other elements; provided that(i) at least one of c and d is at least 0.1; and(ii) when M' is Sn, c must be at least 0.1.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated mononitrile, acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile, by the catalytic reaction in the vapor phase of a paraffin selected from propane and isobutane with molecular oxygen and ammonia and optionally a gaseous diluent, by catalytic contact of the foregoing reactants in a reaction zone with a catalyst, the feed to said reaction zone containing a mole ratio of said paraffin to NH.sub.3 in the rnage from 2.5 to 16 and a mole ratio of said paraffin to O.sub.2 in the range from 1 to 10, said catalyst having the elements and the proportions indicated by the empirical formula:VSb.sub.m A.sub.a D.sub.d O.sub.xwhereA is one or more Ti, Sn, Fe, Cr, GaD is one or more Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Ni, Zn, Ge, Nb, Zr, Mo, W, Cu, Te, Ta, Se, Bi, Ce, In, As, B, Mn andm is 0.8-4a is 0.01-2d is 0-2x is determined by the oxidation state of the cations present,which catalyst has been heated at a calcination temperature of at least 780.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is the reaction of propane and isobutane with O.sub.2 and NH.sub.3 to make .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitriles and olefins, using certain complex metal oxide catalyst compositions and an excess of the paraffin over both the O.sub.2 and the NH.sub.3. Also disclosed are suitable catalyst compositions for such reactions.

Abstract: Disclosed is ammoxidation of C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 acyclic alkanes with NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 using (1) a mole ratio of alkane:NH.sub.3 in the range from 2 to 16 and a mole ratio of alkane:O.sub.2 in the range 1 to 10 and (2) a mixture of particulate catalyst compositions, the first being especially effective to promote formation of an unsaturated nitrile and an olefin from the paraffin, and the second catalyst composition being especially effective to promote the conversion of the olefin to the unsaturated mononitrile. Catalyst compositions useful in the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is ammoxidation of C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 acyclic alkanes with NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 using (1) a mole ratio of alkane:NH.sub.3 in the range from 2 to 16 and a mole ratio of alkane:O.sub.2 in the range 1 to 10 and (2) a mixture of particulate catalyst compositions, the first being especially effective to promote formation of an unsaturated nitrile and an olefin from the paraffin, and the second catalyst composition being especially effective to promote the conversion of the olefin to the unsaturated nitrile. Catalyst compositions useful in the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-component oxide catalyst comprising zinc and an alkali metal is described which is useful particularly for converting methane and/or natural gas to higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products such as ethane and ethylene. The catalyst is characterized by the formulaZn.sub.a A.sub.b M.sub.c M'.sub.d O.sub.xwhereinA is Li, Na, K, or mixtures thereof;M is Al, Ga, Cr, La, Y, Sc, V, Nb, Ta, Cu or mixtures thereof;M' is Cs, Rb, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sm, Pb, Mn, Sb, P, Sn, Bi, Ti, Zr, Hf, or mixtures thereof;a is from about 1 to about 20;b is from about 0.1 to about 20;c is from about 0 to about 5;d is from about 0 to about 20; andx is a number needed to fulfill the valence requirements of the other elements; provided that(i) at least one of c and d is at least 0.1; and(ii) when M' is Sn, c must be at least 0.1.

Abstract: Disclosed is ammoxidation of C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 acyclic alkanes with NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 using (1) a mole ratio of alkane:NH.sub.3 in the range from 2 to 16 and a mole ratio of alkane:O.sub.2 in the range 1 to 10 and (2) a mixture of particulate catalyst compositions, the first being especially effective to promote formation of an unsaturated nitrile and an olefin from the paraffin, and the second catalyst composition being especially effective to promote the conversion of the olefin to the unsaturated mononitrile. Catalyst compositions useful in the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is the reaction of propane and isobutane with O.sub.2 and NH.sub.3 to make .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated nitriles and olefins, using certain complex metal oxide catalyst compositions and an excess of the paraffin over both the O.sub.2 and the NH.sub.3. Also disclosed are suitable catalyst compositions for such reactions.