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 preparing acetaldehyde from methanol and synthesis gas using a novel catalyst composition
    Patent number: 4433176
    Abstract: Acetaldehyde is prepared in good yield from methanol and synthesis gas under mild reaction conditions 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) a rhodium-containing compound, and (4) an onium salt or base, and heating the resulting mixture under mild temperature and pressure for sufficient time to produce the desired acetaldehyde, and then 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
  • Process for preparing acetaldehyde from methanol and synthesis gas using a novel catalyst composition
    Patent number: 4433178
    Abstract: Acetaldehyde is prepared in good yield from methanol and synthesis gas by contacting the mixture of methanol, carbon monoxide and hydrogen with an iodide or iodine-free catalyst composition comprising ruthenium powder, a cobalt-containing compound and an onium salt or base, and heating the resulting mixture to an elevated temperature and pressure for sufficient time to produce the acetaldehyde, and then 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
  • Process for homologation of methanol to ethanol
    Patent number: 4424384
    Abstract: Ethanol is prepared by contacting methanol, hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst system comprising an iodide-free ruthenium-containing compound, an iodide-free quaternary phosphonium or ammonium base or salt and a halide-free cobalt-containing compound, such as cobalt(III) acetylacetone or dicobalt octacarbonyl, in the presence of a substantially inert solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang-Jen Lin, John F. Knifton
  • Process for preparing alkyl esters by homologation of the next lower alkyl ester
    Patent number: 4414410
    Abstract: Alkyl esters, such as ethyl acetate, are prepared by contacting the corresponding next lower carbon number alkyl ester, such as methyl acetate, with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of an iodine or iodide-free catalyst composition comprising a ruthenium-containing compound, a cobalt containing compound and a quaternary phosphonium salt or base, and heating the mixture to an elevated temperature and pressure for sufficient time to produce the desired higher alkyl ester, and then recovering the same from the reaction mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang-Jen Lin, John F. Knifton
  • Production of ethanol from methanol and synthesis gas
    Patent number: 4409405
    Abstract: Ethanol is formed by contacting a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methanol with a catalyst comprising a cobalt-containing compound and a germanium-containing compound, such as dicobalt octacarbonyl and triphenylgermanium hydride in the presence of an inert, oxygenated hydrocarbon solvent at a temperature of about 50.degree. to about 350.degree. C. and at a pressure of about 500 psig or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang-Jen Lin, John F. Knifton
  • Process for producing propylene glycol monoalkyl ethers from acetaldehyde, an alkanol and syngas using a new catalyst system
    Patent number: 4390734
    Abstract: Propylene glycol monoalkyl ethers are prepared in good yield by reacting acetaldehyde and an alkanol (or by reacting an acetal) with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cobalt-containing compound and a cocatalyst comprising a member of the group consisting of rhodium-containing compounds, ruthenium-containing compounds and nickel-containing compounds, and heating the resulting mixture at moderate temperatures and pressures for sufficient time to produce the desired glycol monoalkyl ether, and then recovering the same from the reaction mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Synthesis of ethanol by homologation of methanol
    Patent number: 4374285
    Abstract: Ethanol is prepared by contacting methanol, hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium compound, a quaternary phosphonium or ammonium base or salt and a cobalt compound such as cobalt iodide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang-Jen Lin, John F. Knifton
  • Ethanol synthesis by homologation of methanol
    Patent number: 4371724
    Abstract: Ethanol is prepared by contacting methanol, hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium compound, a quaternary phosphonium or ammonium base or salt and a cobalt compound such as cobalt iodide in the presence of a non-polar, substantially inert, oxygenated hydrocarbon solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang-Jen Lin, John F. Knifton
  • Production of acetic acid and propionic acid and their esters
    Patent number: 4366259
    Abstract: This invention concerns a process of making acetic acid and propionic acid and their esters which comprises contacting a mixture of CO and H.sub.2 with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound and a cobalt halide dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium or ammonium base or salt at a temperature of at least about 150.degree. C. and at a pressure of about 500 psig or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Knifton, Jiang-Jen Lin
  • Process for preparing acetic and propionic acids and their esters
    Patent number: 4362822
    Abstract: This invention concerns a process for making acetic and propionic acids and their esters which comprises contacting a mixture of CO and H.sub.2 at a pressure of about 500 psig or greater and at a temperature of at least about 150.degree. C. with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound and a halogen-containing titanium or zirconium salt dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium or ammonium base or salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Process for preparing ethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers
    Patent number: 4357477
    Abstract: This invention pertains to the production of ethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers by reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with (a) formaldehyde and an alcohol or (b) an acetal in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cobalt-containing compound and a tin or germanium promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Process for preparing ethylene glycol
    Patent number: 4356332
    Abstract: This invention pertains to the production of ethylene glycol by reaction of formaldehyde with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cobalt-containing compound and a tin-or germanium-containing promoter and in the presence of substantially inert, oxygenated hydrocarbon solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Process for preparing propylene glycol monoalkyl ethers and alkoxyacetones
    Patent number: 4356327
    Abstract: Propylene glycol monoalkyl ethers and alkoxyacetones are formed by contacting a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen and (a) acetaldehyde or (b) an acetal and an alcohol, with a catalyst comprising a cobalt-containing compound and at least one tin- or germanium-containing promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Preparation of ethylene glycol
    Patent number: 4351907
    Abstract: A process for preparing ethylene glycol wherein a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen is contacted at an elevated temperature and pressure and in the presence of a solvent with a ruthenium compound and a promoter, such as pyrocatechol. In another aspect this invention relates to the preparation of ethylene glycol ethers from carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Alkanols from synthesis gas
    Patent number: 4339545
    Abstract: This invention concerns a process for making alkanols which comprises contacting a mixture of CO and H.sub.2 at a pressure of 500 psig or greater and at a temperature of at least 150.degree. C. with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound and a halogen-free titanium or zirconium-containing compound dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium or ammonium base or salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Method of preparing aliphatic carboxylic acids
    Patent number: 4334092
    Abstract: This invention pertains to the production of higher homologues of aliphatic carboxylic acids by reaction of said acids with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of one or more rhodium-containing catalysts and an iodide or bromide promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Method of preparing aliphatic carboxylic acids
    Patent number: 4334094
    Abstract: This invention pertains to the production of higher homologues of aliphatic carboxylic acids by reaction of said acids with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of one or more palladium-containing catalysts in combination with a Group VB tertiary donor ligand and in the presence of an iodide or bromide promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Method of preparing aliphatic carboxylic acids
    Patent number: 4334093
    Abstract: This invention pertains to the production of higher homologues of aliphatic carboxylic acids by reaction of said acids with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of one or more nickel-containing catalysts in combination with a Group VB tertiary donor ligand and in the presence of an iodide or bromide promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton
  • Production of alkanols from synthesis gas
    Patent number: 4332915
    Abstract: This invention concerns a process of making alkanols and particularly ethanol which comprises contacting a mixture of CO and H.sub.2 at a pressure of 500 psig or greater and at a temperature of at least 150.degree. C. with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound and a cobalt-containing compound dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium or ammonium base or salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Knifton, Jiang-Jen Lin
  • Manufacture of alkanols from synthesis gas
    Patent number: 4332914
    Abstract: This invention concerns a process of making alkanols and particularly methanol which comprises the steps of contacting a mixture of CO and H.sub.2 with a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound and a halogen-free rhenium-containing compound or a halogen-free manganese-containing compound dispersed in a low melting quaternary phosphonium base or salt, and heating said resultant reaction mixture under a pressure of 500 psig or greater at a temperature of at least 150.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Knifton