Abstract: An improved catalytic composite and process are disclosed for the selective disproportionation of toluene. The process uses a layered composite comprising a catalytically active core which comprises a zeolitic aluminosilicate having a SiO2:Al2O3 ratio of 8 to 50 and a relatively inactive protective mantle which preferably comprises boralite. Optionally, the composite is selectively precoked prior to toluene disproportionation. The composite and process provide improved selectivity for the production of paraxylene.

Abstract: A zeolitic catalyst useful in the selective disproportionation and transalkylation of toluene comprises a molecular sieve having a pore diameter of about 5 to 8 Å, a refractory inorganic oxide and a reduced weak non-framework metal which is believed to provide Lewis acidity.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for the selective disproportionation of toluene. The process uses a zeolitic catalyst which is oil-dropped in an amorphous aluminum phosphate binder and optionally is selectively precoked prior to toluene disproportionation. The catalyst and process provide enhanced selectivity for the production of paraxylene.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of saturated hydrocarbons to give an oxygenated saturated hydrocarbon is disclosed and claimed. The process involves using an acidic ionic liquid catalyst to catalyze the carbon monoxide addition to the saturated hydrocarbon at reaction conditions to form an oxygenate. The acidic ionic liquid comprises a Lewis or Bronsted acid in combination with a quaternary nitrogen-containing compound. A specific example is a mixture of aluminum chloride and n-butylpyridinium chloride.

Abstract: An improved catalyst and process are disclosed for the selective disproportionation of toluene. The process uses a zeolitic catalyst which is oil-dropped in an aluminum phosphate binder and has an X-ray diffraction pattern showing characteristic intensities at specified Bragg angles. Optionally, the catalyst is selectively precoked prior to toluene disproportionation. The catalyst and process provide improved selectivity for the production of paraxylene.

Abstract: A process for separating one chiral compound from a mixture of chiral compounds is disclosed. The separation process involves using a chiral stationary phase (CSP) which comprises a chiral organic material deposited on an amorphous silica support having a unimodal distribution of pore sizes in the range of about 300 .ANG. to about 25,000 .ANG. and a surface area of less than about 30 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: An improved catalyst and process are disclosed for the selective disproportionation of toluene. The process uses a zeolitic catalyst which is oil-dropped in an aluminum phosphate binder and has an X-ray diffraction pattern showing characteristic intensities at specified Bragg angles. Optionally, the catalyst is selectively precoked prior to toluene disproportionation. The catalyst and process provide improved selectivity for the production of paraxylene.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for the selective disproportionation and transalkylation of toluene. The process uses a zeolitic catalyst, preferably comprising a binder, containing a weak metal in a defined reduced state which is believed to provide Lewis acidity in the catalyst. The catalyst and process provide improved selectivity for the production of paraxylene.

Abstract: A hydrothermal process for preparing a modified amorphous silica has been prepared. The process involves mixing a slurry of a silica with a mineralizer such as sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate at a temperature of about 85.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. for a time of about 4 hours to about 10 days. The silica thus produced has a unimodal pore distribution with pores in the range of about 300 .ANG. to about 25,000 .ANG..

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using a silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve which is enriched in framework silicon at the surface, resulting in a greater yield of para-xylene compared to prior-art processes.

Abstract: The need for silicas with large pore sizes can be met by hydrothermal treatment of a silica powder with a mineralizing agent. Pore sizes in the range 300-25,000 angstroms, and more particularly in the range up to 10,000 angstroms, are readily obtained using mineralizing agents such as hydroxide, carbonate, and fluoride at temperatures in the range 85-300.degree. C. A narrow, unimodal distribution of pores is typical.

Abstract: Chiral stationary phases perform well when the underlying support for the chiral organic material is coated onto a silica pore widened by a hydrothermal treatment. The resulting silica is amorphous with a unimodal distribution of large pores. A variety of chiral stationary phases perform well and are distinguished, inter alia, by the treatment, if any, prior to coating the chiral organic material.

Abstract: A method of continuously promoting the activity of solid strong acid catalysts used in acid catalyzed reactions by adding or generating water in the reaction mixture has been developed. The solid strong acid catalyst may be a sulfated metal oxide, a tungstated metal oxide, or a molybdated metal oxide. The metal oxides are oxides, hydroxides, oxyhydroxides, or oxide-hydrates of Group IV-A, Group III-A, Group III-B, and Group V-A metals. The catalyst may also contain a Group VIII metal, or when the metal oxide is a hydroxide, oxide, oxyhydroxide, or oxide-hydrate of the Group IV-A, Group III-A, or Group III-B metals, the catalyst may also contain an oxide, hydroxide, oxyhydroxide or oxide-hydrate of a Group V-A, Group V-B, Group VI-B, or Group VII-B metal as a promoter.

Abstract: A process combination is disclosed to selectively upgrade naphtha in accordance with expected trends leading to more-aliphatic gasolines. Such gasolines contain lower concentrations of aromatics and have lower end points with concomitant reduced harmful automotive emissions. The present process combination converts the higher-boiling portion of the naphtha, yields isobutane and other isoparaffins which are particularly suitable for upgrading or blending, and reduces cyclics in intermediate processing steps.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur containing compounds from various hydrocarbon streams is disclosed and claimed. The process involves contacting the feedstream with an adsorbent such as nickel exchanged zeolite X or Y, or a smectite layered clay having a surface area of at least 150 m.sup.2 /g, thereby adsorbing the sulfur compounds onto the adsorbent.

Abstract: A process combination is disclosed to selectively upgrade naphtha to obtain an isoparaffin-rich product for blending into gasoline. A naphtha feedstock is subjected to ring cleavage to convert naphthenes to paraffins using a nonacidic catalyst followed by isomerization of paraffins to obtain an increased proportion of isoparaffins. Ring cleavage also may be effected on the product of isomerization and separation by fractionation or adsorption.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon conversion processes, e.g., alkylation, are disclosed and claimed which use as the catalyst novel fluoride containing substituted smectite clays. The clay has the formulaA.sub.x (M.sub.y M'.sub.4-y)(Si.sub.8-x M.sub.t M'.sub.v)O.sub.20 (OH).sub.4-u F.sub.uwhere A is a cation, M and M' are metals having a +3 oxidation state, each selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gallium, iron and chromium, x is the moles of A, y is the moles of M, t and v are the moles of M and M' in the tetrahedral layer and t+v=x and u is the moles of F. The clay composition may be used as is or after pillaring to catalyze hydrocarbon conversion processes such as alkylation.

Abstract: A catalytic mixture of discrete solid materials and a mercaptan oxidation process for using the catalytic mixture have been developed. The catalytic mixture comprises a metal chelate dispersed on a non-basic solid support and a solid base. The process involves contacting a sour middle distillate hydrocarbon fraction which contains mercaptans with the supported metal chelate and the solid base mixture in the presence of an oxidizing agent and a polar compound. The process is unique in that both the catalyst and the base are discrete solid materials.

Abstract: Ternary metal oxide solid solutions containing permutations of magnesium, nickel, and cobalt with trivalent metals such as aluminum, chromium, gallium, and iron show unusual resistance to rehydration. A composite comprising a) a ternary metal oxide solid solution of formula,A.sub.a (II)B.sub.b (II)C.sub.c (III)O.sub.(a+b+c) (OH).sub.cwhere:a, b, and c are atom fractions of A(II), B(II), and C(III), respectively;C(III) is a trivalent metal cation whose metal is selected from the group consisting of Al, Cr, Ga, Fe, and combinations thereof, and combinations of Al and metals of atomic number 57 through 71;A(II) and B(II) are divalent metal cations andi. A is Mg, B is Ni, and 0.05.ltoreq.a/(a+b).ltoreq.0.5; orii. A is Mg, B is Co, and 0.05.ltoreq.a/(a+b).ltoreq.0.75; oriii. A is Co, B is Ni, and 0.05.ltoreq.a/(a+b).ltoreq.0.95;and 1.5.ltoreq.(a+b)/c.ltoreq.5.

Abstract: A catalytic system of physically separate and discrete solid materials and a mercaptan oxidation process for using the catalytic system have been developed. The catalytic system comprises a supported metal chelate dispersed on a non-basic solid support and a solid base. The process involves contacting a sour middle distillate hydrocarbon fraction which contains mercaptans first with the solid base and then, in the presence of an oxidizing agent and a polar compound, with the supported metal chelate. The process is unique in that both the catalyst and the base are solid materials and that the solid base is in a separate fixed bed from the supported metal chelate.