Patents by Inventor Jihad M. Dakka

Jihad M. Dakka 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).

  • Process for producing phenol
    Patent number: 9096509
    Abstract: In a process for producing phenol, a mixture of cyclohexylbenzene with from 10 to 90 wt % of a solvent is contacted with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst and under conditions effective to oxidize at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide. The catalyst comprises a cyclic imide having an imide group of formula (I): wherein X represents an oxygen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acyloxy group. At least a portion of the oxygen is dissolved in the mixture and the liquid phase molar ratio of cyclohexylbenzene to oxygen dissolved in the mixture is less than or equal to 20,000:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan A. Patel, Jihad M. Dakka
  • Process for Producing Phenol and/or Cyclohexanone from Cyclohexylbenzene
    Publication number: 20150203429
    Abstract: In a process for producing phenol and/or cyclohexanone, cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with an oxygen-containing gas to produce an oxidation effluent containing cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is then contacted with a cleavage catalyst to produce a cleavage effluent containing phenol and cyclohexanone. At least one of the oxidation effluent and the cleavage effluent also contains at least one by-product selected from phenylcyclohexanols and phenylcyclohexanones and the process further comprises contacting the by-product with a dehydration catalyst to convert the by-product to phenylcyclohexene and hydrogenating the phenylcyclohexene to cyclohexylbenzene. The dealkylation and hydrogenation may be conducted in a single stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, Charles Morris Smith, Christopher L. Becker, Terry E. Helton, Jason D. Davis, Edmund J. Mozeleski
  • Alkyl aromatic hydroalkylation for the production of plasticizers
    Patent number: 9085669
    Abstract: Provided are compounds of the following: wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon optionally substituted with an alkyl and/or an OXO-ester, and R2 is a C4 to C14 hydrocarbyl, preferably the residue of a C4 to C14 OXO-alcohol. Also provided are processes for making the compounds and plasticized polymer compositions containing said compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, Lorenzo C. DeCaul, Christine A. Costello, Edmund J. Mozeleski, Pierre Osterrieth, Stephen Zushma, Allen D. Goodwin, Diana Smirnova, Catherine A. Faler, Victor Deflorio, Didier Naert
  • Oxidation of hydrocarbons
    Patent number: 9073840
    Abstract: In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to a product comprising at least one of the corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid, the hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing compound in at least one oxidation zone in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide having an imide group of formula (I): wherein X represents an oxygen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acyloxy group and wherein the oxygen-containing compound supplied to said at least one oxidation zone has a water content of less than or equal to 0.6% by weight of the oxygen-containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Becker, Jihad M. Dakka, Francisco M. Benitez, Edmund J. Mozeleski
  • Cyclohexanone dehydrogenation catalyst and process
    Patent number: 9061270
    Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising: (i) a support; (ii) a first component comprising at least one metal component selected from Group 1 and Group 2 of the Periodic Table of Elements; and (iii) a second component comprising at least one metal component selected from Groups 6 to 10 of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein the catalyst composition exhibits an oxygen chemisorption of greater than 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Teng Xu, Terry E. Helton, Jihad M. Dakka, Tan-Jen Chen, Sabato Miseo, Lorenzo C. Decaul, Edward A. Lemon, Jr.
  • Alkyl Aromatic Hydroalkylation for the Production of Plasticizers
    Publication number: 20150140350
    Abstract: Provided are compounds of the following: wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon optionally substituted with an alkyl and/or an OXO-ester, and R2 is a C4 to C14 hydrocarbyl, preferably the residue of a C4 to C14 OXO-alcohol. Also provided are processes for making the compounds and plasticized polymer compositions containing said compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, Lorenzo C. DeCaul, Christine A. Costello, Edmund J. Mozeleski, Pierre Osterrieth, Stephen Zushma, Allen D. Godwin, Diana Smirnova, Catherine A. Faler, Victor Deflorio, Didier Naert
  • Dehydrogenation of cyclohexanone to produce phenol
    Patent number: 9029611
    Abstract: In a process for the dehydrogenation of cyclohexanone to produce phenol, a feed comprising cyclohexanone is contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under dehydrogenation conditions comprising a temperature of less than 400° C. and a pressure of less than 690 kPa, gauge, such 0.1 to 50 wt % of the cyclohexanone in said feed is converted to phenol and the dehydrogenation product contains less than 100 ppm by weight of alkylbenzenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Teng Xu, Jihad M. Dakka, Christopher L. Becker, Keith H. Kuechler, Francisco M. Benitez, Charles M. Smith, Hari Nair
  • Process for producing phenol
    Patent number: 9029612
    Abstract: In a process for producing phenol, cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with oxygen in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising a cyclic imide under oxidation conditions effective to produce a product comprising cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and unreacted cyclic imide catalyst. At least a portion of the product is contacted with a cleavage catalyst under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide into a second product comprising further unreacted cyclic imide catalyst, phenol, and cyclohexanone. A portion of the further unreacted cyclic imide catalyst may then be removed from the second product and optionally recycled back to the oxidation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Kun Wang, Jihad M. Dakka
  • Process for Producing Cyclohexylbenzene
    Publication number: 20150126782
    Abstract: In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene, hydrogen, and benzene are contacted in a first reaction zone under conditions effective to produce a product effluent containing residual benzene in the vapor phase and cyclohexylbenzene in the liquid phase. The product effluent is separated into a first stream that is rich in residual benzene in the vapor phase as compared to the product effluent and a second stream that is rich in cyclohexylbenzene in the liquid phase as compared to the product effluent. At least a portion of the first stream is cooled to condense at least a portion of the residual benzene in the vapor phase to the liquid phase and produce a condensate stream. At least a portion of the condensate stream is recycled to the first reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Chemical Company - Law Technology
    Inventors: Hari Nair, Christopher L. Becker, James R. Lattner, Jihad M. Dakka
  • Dehydrogenation process
    Patent number: 9024078
    Abstract: A dehydrogenation process for the dehydrogenation of at least one dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon, the process comprising contacting a feed comprising the at least one dehydrogenatable hydrocarbon under dehydrogenation conditions with a catalyst composition comprising a support and at least one dehydrogenation component wherein said conditions include a temperature of from 400° C. to 750° C. and a pressure of at least 50 psig (345 kPag).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, Lorenzo C. Decaul, Sabato Miseo, James R. Lattner, Tan-Jen Chen, Terry E. Helton, Teng Xu
  • Production and Use of 3,4' and 4,4'-Dimethylbiphenyl Isomers
    Publication number: 20150080546
    Abstract: In a process for producing 3,4? and/or 4,4? dimethyl-substituted biphenyl compounds, a feed comprising toluene is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a hydroalkylation reaction product comprising (methylcyclohexyl)toluenes. At least part of the hydroalkylation reaction product is dehydrogenated in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising a mixture of dimethyl-substituted biphenyl isomers. The dehydrogenation reaction product is then separated into at least a first stream containing at least 50% of 3,4? and 4,4? dimethylbiphenyl isomers by weight of the first stream and at least one second stream comprising one or more 2,x? (where x? is 2?, 3?, or 4?) and 3,3? dimethylbiphenyl isomers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, Lorenzo C. DeCaul, Keith H. Kuechler, Neeraj Sangar, Michael Salciccioli, Alan A. Galuska, Gary D. Mohr
  • Production and Use of 3,4' and 4,4'-Dimethylbiphenyl Isomers
    Publication number: 20150080545
    Abstract: In a process for producing 3,4? and/or 4,4? dimethyl-substituted biphenyl compounds, a feed comprising toluene is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a hydroalkylation reaction product comprising (methylcyclohexyl)toluenes. At least part of the hydroalkylation reaction product is dehydrogenated in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising a mixture of dimethyl-substituted biphenyl isomers. The dehydrogenation reaction product is then separated into at least a first stream containing at least 50% of 3,4? and 4,4? dimethylbiphenyl isomers by weight of the first stream and at least one second stream comprising one or more 2,x? (where x? is 2?, 3?, or 4?) and 3,3? dimethylbiphenyl isomers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, Lorenzo C. DeCaul, Keith H. Kuechler, Neeraj Sangar, Michael Salciccioli, Alan A. Galuska, Gary D. Mohr
  • Oxidation of cyclohexylbenzene
    Patent number: 8981158
    Abstract: In a process for oxidizing cyclohexylbenzene, a composition comprising cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with oxygen in at least one oxidation zone under oxidation conditions sufficient to produce at least some (i) cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide; (ii) a first byproduct; and (iii) a second byproduct in an effluent. A ratio ? is determined according to the following formula: ? = A B wherein A is the amount of the first byproduct in the effluent and B is the amount of the second byproduct in the effluent. The ratio ? is then maintained above a threshold value or adjusted above a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan A. Patel, Francisco M. Benitez, Charles Morris Smith, Jihad M. Dakka, Travis A. Reine
  • Hydrogenation Process
    Publication number: 20150065754
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogenation processes including: contacting a first composition with hydrogen under hydrogenation conditions, in the presence of an eggshell hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the first composition has: (i) greater than about 50 wt % of cyclohexylbenzene, the wt % based upon the total weight of the first composition; and (ii) greater than about 0.3 wt % of cyclohexenylbenzene, the wt % based upon the total weight of the first composition; and thereby obtaining a second composition having less cyclohexenylbenzene than the first composition. Other hydrogenation processes are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Tan-Jen Chen, Travis A. Reine, Keith H. Kuechler, Terry E. Helton, Jihad M. Dakka
  • Oxidation of hydrocarbons
    Patent number: 8921609
    Abstract: In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon is contacted with oxygen in the presence of an N-substituted cyclic imide and under conditions to oxidize the hydrocarbon to produce an oxidized hydrocarbon product and at least one decomposition product of the N-substituted cyclic imide. At least a portion of the at least one decomposition product is contacted with hydroxylamine or a salt thereof under conditions to convert the at least one decomposition product back to said imide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, Stephen Zushma, Nicolas P. Coute, Francisco M. Benitez, Edmund J. Mozeleski
  • Oxidation of alkylbenzenes
    Patent number: 8921610
    Abstract: A process for oxidizing a composition comprising contacting an alkylbenzene of the general formula (I): where R1 and R2 each independently represents hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein R1 and R2 may be joined to form a cyclic group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, the 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; and (ii) about 0.05 wt % to about 5 wt % of phenol, with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst containing a cyclic imide having the general formula (II): wherein X represents an oxygen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acyloxy group under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the alkylbenzene to a hydroperoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jihad M. Dakka, Edmund J. Mozeleski, Charles Morris Smith, Christopher L. Becker, Stephen Zushma
  • Hydroalkylation Catalyst and Process for Use Thereof
    Publication number: 20140378697
    Abstract: This invention relates to process for producing biphenyl esters, the process comprising: (a) contacting a feed comprising toluene, xylene or mixtures thereof with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst to produce a hydroalkylation reaction product comprising (methylcyclohexyl)toluene, wherein the hydroalkylation catalyst comprises: 1) binder present at 40 wt % or less (based upon weight of final catalyst composition), 2) a hydrogenation component present at 0.2 wt % or less (based upon weight of final catalyst composition), and 3) an acidic component comprising a molecular sieve having a twelve membered (or larger) ring pore opening, channel or pocket and a largest pore dimension of 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Emiel de Smit, Neeraj Sangar, Michael Salciccioli, Jihad M. Dakka, Lorenzo C. DeCaul, Terry E. Helton, Scott J. Weigel
  • Process for Producing Phenol
    Publication number: 20140371490
    Abstract: In a process for producing phenol, a mixture of cyclohexylbenzene with from 10 to 90 wt % of a solvent is contacted with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst and under conditions effective to oxidize at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide. The catalyst comprises a cyclic imide having an imide group of formula (I): wherein X represents an oxygen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acyloxy group. At least a portion of the oxygen is dissolved in the mixture and the liquid phase molar ratio of cyclohexylbenzene to oxygen dissolved in the mixture is less than or equal to 20,000:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bryan A. Patel, Jihad M. Dakka
  • Process of Producing Cyclohexylbenzene
    Publication number: 20140371498
    Abstract: In a process for producing cyclohexylbenzene, benzene is contacted with hydrogen under hydroalkylation conditions effective to form a first effluent stream comprising cyclohexylbenzene, cyclohexane, methylcyclopentane, and unreacted benzene. At least a portion of the first effluent stream is contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under dehydrogenation conditions to convert at least a portion of the cyclohexane to benzene thereby forming a second effluent stream. The amount of methylcyclopentane in the second effluent stream is different by no more than 65% of the total amount of the portion of the first effluent stream, said amounts being on a weight basis. A methylcyclopentane-containing stream is removed from either the first or the second effluent stream and at least a portion of the second effluent stream containing benzene is recycled to the hydroalkylation step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Chemical Company - Law Technology
    Inventors: Keith H. Kuechler, James R. Lattner, Christopher L. Becker, Jihad M. Dakka, Tan-Jen Chen
  • Oxidation of Cyclohexylbenzene
    Publication number: 20140336417
    Abstract: In a process for oxidizing cyclohexylbenzene, a composition comprising cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with oxygen in at least one oxidation zone under oxidation conditions sufficient to produce at least some (i) cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide; (ii) a first byproduct; and (iii) a second byproduct in an effluent. A ratio ? is determined according to the following formula: ? = A B wherein A is the amount of the first byproduct in the effluent and B is the amount of the second byproduct in the effluent. The ratio ? is then maintained above a threshold value or adjusted above a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Bryan A. Patel, Francisco M. Benitez, Charles Morris Smith, Jihad M. Dakka, Travis A. Reine