Abstract: Compositions of matter comprise oxides of silicon, aluminum and/or titanium mixed with combinations of manganese oxide and magnesium oxide; iron oxide and magnesium oxide; calcium, strontium, barium, tin and/or antimony oxides, manganese oxide and magnesium oxide; and iron oxide, manganese oxide and magnesium oxide. These compositions are particularly useful as catalysts for selectively converting propane and butanes to ethylene and ethane and particularly to ethylene. A method for converting propane and butanes to less saturated hydrocarbons is also disclosed in which the catalyst life is extended and the selectivity to ethylene and ethane, particularly ethylene, is improved by carrying out the contacting with the catalyst in the presence of steam, when the catalyst contains an oxide of iron and, optionally, when the catalyst does not contain an oxide of iron.

Abstract: A method for the conversion of C.sub.3 and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons to less saturated hydrocarbons, such as ethylene and propylene and particularly ethylene, includes contacting the feed hydrocarbons with mixed oxides comprising a major proportion of magnesium and a minor proportion of manganese, preferably under conditions which selectively convert the feed hydrocarbons to ethylene and ethane and particularly ethylene, including a temperature between about 625.degree. C. and 850.degree. C. The method is preferably carried out in the presence of steam at a mole ratio of steam/hydrocarbon of less than about 10:1. Selectivity to ethylene and ethane and particularly ethylene is improved and the life of the catalyst, during which the desired selectivity is attained, is extended by adding a promoting amount of at least one oxide of calcium, barium, strontium, tin and antimony. Further improvement can be obtained by limiting the amount of bound or fixed sulfur in the catalyst.

Abstract: A method for the oxidative conversion of a feed material comprising methane, such as natural gas, to higher hydrocarbons, particularly ethylene and ethane and desirably ethylene, in which feed is contacted with a solid contact material comprising cobalt; at least one metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, zinc, niobium, indium, lead and bismuth, preferably, zirconium; phosphorous; at least one Group IA metal; and oxygen under oxidative conversion conditions sufficient to convert the methane to the higher hydrocarbons. Substantial improvement in the conversion of methane and selectivity to ethylene and ethane is obtained by adding chlorine to the contact material. The further addition of sulfur to the contact material also improves the conversion and selectivity and permits the method to be carried out in an essentially continuous manner in the presence of a free oxygen containing gas.

Abstract: A method of selectively cracking C.sub.3 and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons to C.sub.2 hydrocarbons, particularly ethylene, in which a body of cracking catalyst is established in a reaction zone and the feed hydrocarbons are passed through the body of catalyst while maintaining the conditions sufficient to convert the feed hydrocarbons to product hydrocarbons, including, a temperature in the upstream end of the body of catalyst at least about 100.degree. C. below the temperature in the downstream end of the body of catalyst. The cracking catalyst is preferably selected from the group consisting of: at least one oxide of manganese and at least one oxide of magnesium; at least one oxide of manganese and at least one oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Lanthanum Series metals, preferably lanthanum or cerium, and niobium; at least one oxide of iron and at least one oxide of magnesium; and at least one oxide of iron and at least one oxide of a Lanthanum Series metals or niobium.

Abstract: Novel compositions of matter include: mixed oxides of (a) at least one oxide of chromium, at least one oxide of manganese and at least one oxide of magnesium, Lanthanum Series metals, preferably lanthanum and cerium, and/or niobium; (b) at least one oxide of chromium, at least one oxide of calcium, strontium, tin and/or antimony, at least one oxide of manganese and at least one oxide of magnesium, Lanthanum Series metals and/or niobium; (c) at least one oxide of chromium, at least one oxide of iron and at least one oxide of magnesium, Lanthanum Series metals and/or niobium; and (d) at least one oxide of chromium, at least one oxide of iron, at least one oxide of manganese and at least one oxide of magnesium, Lanthanum Series metals and/or niobium. These compositions are particularly effective as catalyst compositions for the conversion of C.sub.3 and C.sub.

Abstract: Compositions of matter, including: a composition consisting of iron oxide and magnesium oxide; a composition comprising iron oxide, manganese oxide and magnesium oxide; a composition comprising a small amount of iron oxide and a larger amount of an oxide of a Lanthanum Series metal, particularly lanthanum and cerium; and a composition comprising iron oxide and niobium oxide. The above compositions are particularly useful as catalytic compositions for the conversion of C.sub.3 and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons to less saturated hydrocarbons, particularly ethylene and propylene and preferably ethylene, in the presence of steam. The steam substantially increases the active life of the catalytic composition, before regeneration is necessary, as well as significantly increasing the selectivity to ethylene. Limiting the amount of bound or fixed sulfur in the catalytic compositions also improves the catalysts.

Abstract: Hydrogen is produced by irradiating a solution of H.sub.2 S dissolved in alkaline liquid medium using light in the visible range.

Abstract: H.sub.2 is produced from H.sub.2 S dissolved in an alkaline aqueous medium by irradiating the alkaline aqueous solution of H.sub.2 S using light in the visible range in the presence of a catalytic amount of a compound chosen from the group of ZnO, ZnO-RuO.sub.2, ZnS, ZnSe and CuGaS.sub.2.

Abstract: Compositions of matter, including: A mixture of at least one oxide of manganese and at least one oxide of a Lanthanum Series metal, preferably lanthanum or cerium, or at least one oxide of niobium. The above compositions are particularly useful as catalytic compositions for the conversion of C.sub.3 and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons to less saturated hydrocarbons, particularly ethylene and propylene and preferably ethylene. The life of the catalyst for the selective production of ethylene is extended by carrying out the reaction in the presence of steam. The steam substantially increases the active life of the catalytic composition, before regeneration is necessary, as well as significantly increasing the selectivity to ethylene. Limiting the amount of "bound" or "fixed" sulfur in the catalytic composition also improves the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for cracking a feed comprising at least one alkane involving contacting said feed with H.sub.2 S and a high surface area contact material under cracking conditions.

Abstract: The conversion and/or selectivity of a zinc titanate catalyst, the conversion and/or selectivity of which has been reduced by use of the zinc titanate catalyst in a process in which the zinc titanate catalyst is exposed to reducing conditions such as those found in a dehydrogenation process, is improved by contacting the zinc titanate catalyst with a solution of zinc and then calcining the treated zinc titanate in the presence of free oxygen. This treatment improves the conversion and/or selectivity of the used zinc titanate catalyst.

Abstract: The catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of at least one dehydrogenatable organic compound which has at least one ##STR1## grouping is carried out in the presence of a zinc titanate catalyst. The selectivity of the zinc titanate catalyst may be improved by a promoter at least one member of which is selected from the group consisting of chromium, antimony, bismuth, aluminum, phosphorus, indium, tin, lanthanum and cerium.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are oxidatively dehydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst comprising a mixture of oxides of manganese, phosphorus, and an alkali metal, optionally, supported on a refractory oxide. In one embodiment, ethane is converted to ethylene in the presence of a catalyst comprising a mixture of oxides of manganese, phosphorus, and sodium supported on alumina.

Abstract: The catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of at least one dehydrogenatable organic compound which has at least one ##STR1## grouping is carried out in the presence of a zinc titanate catalyst. The selectivity of the zinc titanate catalyst may be improved by a promoter at least one member of which is selected from the group consisting of chromium, antimony, bismuth, aluminum, phosphorus, indium, tin, lanthanum and cerium.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are oxidatively dehydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst comprising a mixture of oxides of manganese, phosphorus, and an alkali metal, optionally, supported on a refractory oxide. In one embodiment, ethane is converted to ethylene in the presence of a catalyst comprising a mixture of oxides of manganese, phosphorus, and sodium supported on alumina.