Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and structures of supported metal catalysts for use in applications such as direct methanol fuel cells. Generally, implementations include supported metal catalysts that include Pt active sites that have been modified by addition or co-localization of a second metal such as Cu, Co, Ni, and/or other base metals to lower the inhibiting effect of strongly-adsorbed CO, an intermediate of methanol oxidation. An example aspect of the present disclosure includes catalyst compositions where the exterior metal sites in the supported catalyst include at least two metals: Pt and a competitive binder (e.g., a second metal).

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and structures of supported metal catalysts for use in applications such as direct methanol fuel cells. Generally, implementations include supported metal catalysts that include Pt active sites that have been modified by addition or co-localization of a second metal such as Cu, Co, Ni, and/or other base metals to lower the inhibiting effect of strongly-adsorbed CO, an intermediate of methanol oxidation. An example aspect of the present disclosure includes catalyst compositions where the exterior metal sites in the supported catalyst include at least two metals: Pt and a competitive binder (e.g., a second metal).

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for determining the rate of gas permeation through a film is described. The system comprises a continuous flow permeation cell, a mass spectrometer, a test gas source, and a carrier gas source. The continuous flow permeation cell comprises a supply chamber in communication with the test gas source and a receiving chamber in communication with the carrier gas source and the mass spectrometer. The supply chamber is configured to be separated from the receiving chamber by a test film such that when a test gas stream is fed to the supply chamber from the test gas source and a carrier gas stream is fed to the receiving chamber from the carrier gas source. At least a portion of the test gas stream permeates from the supply chamber through the test film to the receiving chamber and mixes with the carrier gas stream and the mixture flows to the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for determining the rate of gas permeation through a film is described. The system comprises a continuous flow permeation cell, a mass spectrometer, a test gas source, and a carrier gas source. The continuous flow permeation cell comprises a supply chamber in communication with the test gas source and a receiving chamber in communication with the carrier gas source and the mass spectrometer. The supply chamber is configured to be separated from the receiving chamber by a test film such that when a test gas stream is fed to the supply chamber from the test gas source and a carrier gas stream is fed to the receiving chamber from the carrier gas source. At least a portion of the test gas stream permeates from the supply chamber through the test film to the receiving chamber and mixes with the carrier gas stream and the mixture flows to the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a process for electroless deposition of metal atoms on an electrode. The process includes treating a carbon-containing support by contacting the carbon-containing support with a treatment, impregnating the carbon-containing support with a precursor metal component to form seed sites on the carbon-containing support, and depositing metal atoms on the seed sites through electroless deposition by contacting the carbon-containing support with a metal salt and a reducing agent.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a process for electroless deposition of metal atoms on an electrode to form a core and shell structure. The process includes treating a carbon-containing support by contacting the carbon-containing support with a treatment. The carbon-containing support is impregnated with a core component metal to form at least one seed site on the carbon-containing support. A predetermined amount of shell component metal is deposited on the at least one seed site of the core component through electroless deposition by contacting the carbon-containing support with a metal salt and a reducing agent. The shell component forms at least one complete monolayer on the core component. The amount of the shell component deposited is predetermined by using the surface area of the core component.

Abstract: A method for restoring lost activity and selectivity of fresh cesium-promoted catalysts which comprises heating the catalyst at an elevated temperature in the presence of a sweep gas immediately prior to using the catalyst. The catalysts are particularly useful for the selective epoxidation of olefins to their corresponding olefin epoxides. Also described is a method for inhibiting or preventing deactivation of fresh Cs-promoted catalysts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 2,3-dihydrofurans from the corresponding isomeric 2,5-dihydrofurans wherein a 2,5-dihydrofuran compound is contacted with a supported, palladium or platinum catalyst in the presence of carbon monoxide to effect the isomerization of 2,5-dihyrofurans to 2,3-dihydrofurans.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the removal of organic chlorides from furan and hydrogenated furans by contacting a crude product stream comprising (i) furan, 2,3-DHF, 2,5-DHF, THF or a mixture thereof and (ii) one or more organic chlorides with a copper-containing scavenger material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 2,3-dihydrofurans from the corresponding isomeric 2,5-dihydrofurans wherein a feed mixture comprising a 2,5-dihydrofuran compound and an aldehyde selected from alkanals containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms and alkenals containing 3 or 4 carbon atoms, an epoxide selected from 1,2-epoxyalkanes containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms and 3,4-epoxy-1-butene, or a mixture of 2 or more of such aldehydes or epoxides and, optionally, carbon monoxide is contacted with a supported, palladium or platinum catalyst to effect the isomerization of 2,5-dihyrofurans to 2,3-dihydrofurans.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved gas phase process for the selective epoxidation of non-allylic olefins wherein the epoxidation is carried out in the presence of certain inert, paraffin hydrocarbons. Such hydrocarbons possess higher heat capacities as compared to other materials, e.g., nitrogen, argon, methane and helium, typically used as inert diluents in olefin epoxidations. The disclosed process is particularly useful for the continuous manufacture of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene from 1,3-butadiene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous process for the manufacture of 2,5-dihydrofurans by the isomerization of .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes in the liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst system comprising an onium iodide compound and a Lewis acid and a process solvent comprising a mixture of the 2,5-dihydrofuran product of the process and an oligomer of the .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes reactant.

Abstract: Process is disclosed for the slective monoepoxidation of styrene, styrene analogs, and styrene derivatives. Such compounds are contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a promoted, optionally supported silver catalyst under defined reaction conditions, thereby selectively producing opoxides in good yield.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the selective epoxidation of olefins, including diolefins, having more than 2 carbon atoms by the catalytic oxidation of such an olefin in the presence of a supported, thallium-promoted, silver catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the isomerization of epoxyalkenes to dihydrofurans by contacting an epoxyalkene with a catalyst comprising a quaternary organic onium iodide compounds, optionally deposited on a non-acidic support and/or in combination with a Lewis acid co-catalyst. The catalyst may comprise a supported catalyst, an unsupported catalyst or a solution of the catalytically-active components in an inert, organic solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel catalyst composition comprising a catalyst support material having deposited thereon elemental silver and a promoter selected from potassium, rubidium and cesium which are obtained by treating a catalyst precursor comprising a porous catalyst support material having deposited thereon a silver compound and a promoter selected from compounds of potassium, rubidium and cesium, with a gas comprising (i) hydrogen or (ii) an inert gas containing at least about 4 volume percent hydrogen at elevated temperatures. The disclosed catalysts are particularly useful in the partial oxidation of butadiene to produce 1,2-epoxy-3-butene.

Abstract: Process is disclosed for the selective epoxidation of olefins having no allylic hydrogens. Such olefins are contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a silver catalyst and an organic halide under defined reaction conditions, thereby selectively producing epoxides in good yield.

Abstract: Olefins which are free of allylic hydrogens, and which contain two hydrogens bonded to a carbon atom which is bonded to another carbon by a double bond, from aldehydes when reacted with oxygen in the presence of an acidic silver catalyst, such as silver dispersed on .gamma.-alumina. For example, 1,3-butadiene is oxidized to crotonaldehyde.

Abstract: Crotoaldehyde is produced by contacting butadiene monoxide with a metal oxide, mixed metal oxide, or mixture of metal oxides. The process is preferably conducted in the vapor phase. Other unsaturated aldehydes can be prepared from other unsaturated terminal epoxides.

Abstract: Crotonaldehyde is produced by contacting 3,4-epoxybutene, i.e. butadiene monoxide, with a halide-containing catalyst such as a hydrogen halide or metal halide. The process is preferably conducted in the vapor phase. Other unsaturated aldehydes can be produced from other unsaturated terminal epoxides.