Patents by Inventor John F. Knifton

John F. Knifton 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 low pressure synthesis of ethylene glycol from synthesis gas
    Patent number: 4565896
    Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of ethylene glcyol and more particularly to a low pressure process for making ethylene glycol comprising reacting synthesis gas, i.e. a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, plus formaldehyde in the presence of a homogeneous liquid catalyst containing an effective amount of cobalt-containing compound and a silicon or germanium-containing promoter and a solvent at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. and a pressure of at least 500 psi wherein said ethylene glycol product separates as a separate liquid phase from the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Knifton, Roger G. Duranleau
  • Process for preparing ethylene glycol and lower monohydric alcohols from syngas using a novel catalyst system
    Patent number: 4558072
    Abstract: Ethylene glycol along with ethylene glycol derivatives and alcohols are prepared from syngas in improved yields by contacting a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound and a manganese-containing compound, both dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium compound dissolved in a solvent and heating the resulting reaction mixture at a temperature of at least 150.degree. C. and a pressure of at least 30 atm. for sufficient time to produce the desired ethylene glycol and monohydric alcohols, and then recovering the same from the reaction mixture. A rhodium-containing compound may optionally be used with the ruthenium-containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Grigsby, Jr., John F. Knifton
  • Process for synthesizing formamides from synthesis gas plus ammonia
    Patent number: 4556734
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of formamides, particularly N,N-dimethylformamide and N-methylformamide, by the reaction of synthesis gas with ammonia in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium species coupled with quaternary phosphonium salts. The catalyst system typically produces high yields of formamides, a large percentage of which may comprise N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylformamide or formamide itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Process for producing p-tolualdehyde from toluene using an aluminum halide alkyl pyridinium halide `melt` catalyst
    Patent number: 4554383
    Abstract: A process for the selective carbonylation of toluene to p-tolualdehyde which comprises mixing an N-alkylpyridinium halide and an anhydrous aluminum halide melt catalyst with toluene, at room temperature of higher and at superatmospheric pressure until the desired tolualdehyde is formed, and separating the desired product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Process for oxidative dicarbonylation of butadiene
    Patent number: 4552976
    Abstract: This invention relates to the carbonylation of olefins. More particularly it involves the carbonylation of aliphatic conjugated diolefins such as 1,3-butadiene to form adipic acid precursors such as, for example, dimethyl hex-3-ene-1,6-dioate by a process comprising reacting said 1,3-butadiene with carbon monoxide and oxygen in the presence of a hetergeneous palladium catalyst, a copper-containing compound and a lithium-containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang-Jen Lin, John F. Knifton
  • Process for the preparation of linear polyethylenepolyamines by reacting monoethanolamine with ethylenediamine in the presence of an intercalatively active catalyst
    Patent number: 4550209
    Abstract: Essentially linear polyethylenepolyamines are prepared by reacting monoethanolamine with ethylenediamine in the presence of an intercalatively catalytically active tetravalent zirconium polymeric reaction product of an organo phosphonic acid or an ester thereof with a compound of tetravalent zirconium reactive therewith, such as zirconium trimethylene diphosphonate prepared by reacting trimethylenediphosphonic acid wth zirconyl chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Susan D. Unvert, Steven H. Vanderpool, John F. Knifton
  • Process for the production of N-substituted (meth)acrylamides from (meth)acrylates and amines over a metal oxide or alkoxide catalyst
    Patent number: 4549017
    Abstract: The invention is related to a catalytic method for the production of N-substituted (meth)acrylamides and is more particularly related to a catalytic method for the production of N-substituted (meth)acrylamides from (meth)acrylates and amines in the presence of an alkoxide of silicon, titanium or zirconium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. McEntire, John F. Knifton, Edward C. Y. Nieh, Kathy B. Sellstrom
  • Process for selective preparation of secondary and tertiary amines
    Patent number: 4543411
    Abstract: Secondary and tertiary amines are selectively prepared by a process comprising reacting an olefin, a nitrogen-containing compound and synthesis gas in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound mixed with a quaternary onium salt, optionally in the presence of a solvent, heating the resultant mixture to a temperature of at least 100.degree. C. and a pressure of at least 100 psi until there is substantial formation of the desired tertiary amine and separating the desired amine by a phase separation technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Knifton, David C. Alexander
  • Manufacture of alkanol and glycol esters
    Patent number: 4540810
    Abstract: This invention concerns the improved preparation of alkanol and glycol esters, such as ethylene glycol diesters, by reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst system comprising ruthenium and a quaternary aryl or alkaryl phosphonium salt and a liquid phase medium containing a carboxylic acid co-reactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Preparation of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran by hydroformylation of allyl alcohol using ketone solvents
    Patent number: 4533742
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing products such as 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran which comprises contacting unsaturated compounds such as allyl alcohol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a rhodium carbonyl catalyst and a ketone solvent system. Allyl alcohol conversions of 100% and selectivities to 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran of 96% are achievable under certain conditions. Preferred ketone solvents are acetophenone and 2-undecanone. 2-Hydroxytetrahydrofuran is an important precursor to manufacture of 1,4-butanediol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang-Jen Lin, John F. Knifton
  • Bi-solvent system for the hydroformylation of allyl alcohol using a rhodium catalyst
    Patent number: 4529808
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing products such as 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran which comprises contacting unsaturated compounds such as allyl alcohol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a rhodium carbonyl catalyst and a bi-solvent system. The bi-solvent system includes an aromatic solvent and an amide solvent and may be materials such as p-xylene and acetamide. Such a system provides for easy catalyst recovery since the rhodium catalyst is selectively soluble in the p-xylene whereas the desired product is conversely selectively soluble in the acetamide phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang-Jen Lin, John F. Knifton
  • Acetaldehyde production from synthesis gas
    Patent number: 4525481
    Abstract: Acetaldehyde is prepared by contacting hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst system comprising an iodide-free ruthenium powder, an iodide-free quaternary phosphonium or ammonium base or salt and a halide-free cobalt-containing compound, such as cobalt(III) acetylacetonate or dicobalt octacarbonyl. Conducting the reaction in a substantially inert solvent such as p-dioxane is preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang-Jen Lin, John F. Knifton
  • Process for producing ethylene glycol using a ruthenium-copper catalyst
    Patent number: 4518715
    Abstract: This invention concerns a process for preparing ethylene glycol and lower monohydric alcohols comprising contacting a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with a catalyst comprising a ruthenium-containing compound and a copper- or silver-containing compound, both dispersed in a low-melting quaternary phosphonium salt and heating the resulting mixture at an elevated temperature and moderate pressure for sufficient time to produce the desired ethylene glycol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Process for hydroformylation of terminal olefins to predominantly linear aldehydes
    Patent number: 4511740
    Abstract: This invention concerns a process of preparing predominantly linear aldehydes which comprises the steps of contacting a mixture of terminal olefins and synthesis gas with a catalyst system comprising an insoluble polymeric phosphonium salt, and a ruthenium-containing compound, optionally with a cobalt carbonyl and heating said resultant reaction mixture under a pressure of 200 psi or greater at a temperature of at least 100.degree. C. for a sufficient time to produce said aldehydes. Some of the product aldehydes will be reduced to alcohols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Alexander, John F. Knifton
  • Process for selective preparation of polymeric polyamines
    Patent number: 4503217
    Abstract: An aminomethylation reaction is disclosed wherein polymeric polyamines are produced. Polymeric polyolefins such as polybutadiene, ammonia, primary or secondary amines, and synthesis gas are reacted in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing catalyst, such as triruthenium dodecacarbonyl, and dimethyl formamide as a solvent.The use of a two-phase solvent mixture consisting of N,N-dimethylformamide plus a hydrocarbon is particularly advantageous in that:(1) The aminomethylation selectivity is improved and few side reactions results;(2) The two-phase liquid product mixture obtained, allows easy separation of product polyamine from ruthenium-containing catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Alexander, John F. Knifton, Susan D. Unvert
  • Process for the synthesis of ethanol and acetaldehyde using cobalt compounds with novel promoters
    Patent number: 4476326
    Abstract: Ethanol and/or acetaldehyde are prepared in good yield by contacting methanol, hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst system comprising a cobalt-containing compound and a promoter in the presence of an inert oxygenated solvent at a temperature of from about 50.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. and a pressure of at least 500 psig or greater. The combination of cobalt-containing compound and promoter may be (a) a cobalt-containing compound with an organo-sulphur compound, (b) an iodide-containing cobalt compound with a nitrogen-containing compound as promoter, and (c) a cobalt-containing compound with 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang-Jen Lin, John F. Knifton
  • Process for preparing alcohols from olefins and synthesis gas
    Patent number: 4469895
    Abstract: This invention concerns an improved process of preparing predominantly linear alcohols which comprises the steps of contacting a mixture of terminal and/or internal olefins and synthesis gas with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound in conjunction with one or more tertiary amine promoters, dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium salt and heating said resultant reaction mixture under a pressure of 100 psi or greater at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. for a sufficient time to produce said alcohols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Knifton, Robert A. Grigsby, Jr.
  • Alcohols and aldehydes prepared from olefins and synthesis gas
    Patent number: 4451679
    Abstract: This invention concerns a process of preparing alcohols and aldehydes which comprises the steps of contacting a mixture of terminal and/or internal olefins and synthesis gas with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium or ammonium base or salt and heating said resultant reaction mixture under a pressure of 100 psi or greater at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. for a sufficient time to produce said alcohols and aldehydes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Knifton, Jiang-Jen Lin, Robert A. Grigsby, Jr., Walter H. Brader, Jr.
  • Alcohols prepared from olefins and synthesis gas
    Patent number: 4451680
    Abstract: This invention concerns a process of preparing predominantly linear alcohols which comprises the steps of contacting a mixture of terminal and/or internal olefins and synthesis gas with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound coupled with one or more bidentate or multidentate, phosphine-containing promoters, dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium salt, and heating said resultant reaction mixture under a pressure of 100 psi or greater at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. for a sufficient time to produce said alcohols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Process for preparing acetaldehyde from methanol and synthesis gas using a novel catalyst composition
    Patent number: 4433177
    Abstract: Acetaldehyde is prepared from methanol and synthesis gas with good selectivity and yield by contacting a mixture of methanol, carbon monoxide and hydrogen with an iodide or iodine free catalyst composition comprising (1) ruthenium powder, (2) a cobalt-containing compound, (3) an amine, and (4) an onium salt or base, and heating the resulting mixture to an elevated temperature and pressure for sufficient time to produce the desired acetaldehyde, and recovering the same from the reaction mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang-Jen Lin, John F. Knifton