Abstract: Precious metal values, e.g., platinum, palladium and rhodium, and, optionally, other valuable elements, e.g., one or more rare earths and cerium in particular, are recovered from a wide variety of compositions of matter and articles of manufacture, for example waste or spent catalysts such as vehicular postcombustion catalysts, by (i) optionally comminuting such composition/article into a finely divided state, (ii) intimately admixing the composition/article with sulfuric acid, (iii) calcining the resulting admixture at a temperature ranging from 150° to 450° C., and (iv) leaching the calcined admixture in an aqueous medium, whether simultaneously or separately, with H+ ions and chloride ions, whereby obtaining (1) a solid residue substantially depleted of such precious metal values and, optionally, of such other elements, and (2) at least one liquid solution comprising such precious metal values and, optionally, such other elements.

Abstract: The production of cerium oxides, zirconium oxides, (Ce,Zr)O.sub.2 mixed oxides and (Ce,Zr)O.sub.2 solid solutions having improved particle size distribution, surface area, oxygen storage capacity and pore volume by the addition of an additive, such as anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, polyethylene glycols, carboxylic acids, and carboxylate salts, during the formation of the oxides or precursors thereof.

Abstract: Stable Rare Earth carboxylate liquids having high concentrations of Rare Earths and suitable for use in forming active Ziegler Natta catalysts, are prepared with stabilizing agents such as water and/or acid. The liquids comprise from about 4.5% to about 20% Rare Earth element(s). A novel process for making is disclosed.

Abstract: Rare earth carboxylates in solid form are prepared or treated with a solubilizing agent to improve the solids solubility in aliphatic solvents. Other methods, such as treatment of the aliphatic solvent, to improve the solubility of solid rare earth carboxylates in aliphatic solvents are also described. Solubilizing agents identified for use include, but are not limited to, carboxylic acids, poly-acids, glycols, alcohols and mixtures thereof. These processes and treatments are particularly useful in regard to solid rare earth versatate, rare earth neodecanoate, rare earth octanoate, rare earth 2-ethyl hexanoate and rare earth naphthenate compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved active support, cerium/zirconium mixed oxides or cerium/zirconium solid solutions, for improved dehydrogenation catalysts useful in converting alkylaromatics to alkenylaromatics, e.g., ethylbenzene to styrene.

Abstract: Mixed oxides of cerium and zirconium as well as solid solutions and cerium oxides are produced having improved thermal stability. The process involves the formation of cerium and zirconium oxides, mixed oxides and solid solutions by methods such as co-thermohydrolysis and co-precipitation, followed by washing or impregnating with an alkoxylated compound having greater than 2 carbon atoms. After the washing or impregnating step, the mixture is calcined to form oxides having very high surface area and oxygen storage capacity. The improved thermal stability of the oxides makes them advantageous for use in applications such as catalytic converters.

Abstract: Mixed oxides of cerium and zirconium as well as solid solutions and cerium oxides are produced having improved thermal stability. The process involves the formation of cerium and zirconium oxides, mixed oxides and solid solutions by methods such as co-thermohydrolysis and co-precipitation, followed by washing or impregnating with an alkoxylated compound having greater than 2 carbon atoms. After the washing or impregnating step, the mixture is calcined to form oxides having very high surface area and oxygen storage capacity. The improved thermal stability of the oxides makes them advantageous for use in applications such as catalytic converters.