Abstract: A process and catalyst for the partial oxidation of paraffinic hydrocarbons, such as ethane, propane, naphtha, and natural gas condensates, to olefins, such as ethylene and propylene. The process involves contacting a paraffinic hydrocarbon with oxygen in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst under autothermal process conditions. Preheating the feed decreases oxygen consumption and increases the net hydrogen balance. The catalyst comprises a Group 8B metal, preferably, a platinum group metal, and at least one promoter selected from Groups 1B, 6B, 3A, 4A, and 5A, optionally supported on a catalytic support, such as magnesia or alumina. In preferred embodiments, the support is pretreated with a support modifier selected from Groups 1A, 2A, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 1B, 3A, 4A, 5A, the rare earth lanthanides, and the actinides. A modified fluidized bed reactor is disclosed for the process.

Abstract: An on-line method of synthesizing or regenerating catalysts for autothermal oxidation processes, specifically, the oxidation of paraffinic hydrocarbons, for example, ethane, propane, and naphtha, to olefins, for example, ethylene and propylene. The catalyst comprises a Group 8B metal, for example, a platinum group metal and, optionally, a promoter, such as tin, antimony, or copper, on a support, preferably a monolith support. On-line synthesis or regeneration involves co-feeding a volatile Group 8B metal compound and/or a volatile promoter compound with the paraffinic hydrocarbon and oxygen into the oxidation reactor under ignition or autothermal conditions.

Abstract: A process and catalyst for the partial oxidation of paraffinic hydrocarbons, such as ethane, propane, naphtha, and natural gas condensates, to olefins, such as ethylene and propylene. The process involves contacting a paraffinic hydrocarbon with oxygen in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst under autothermal process conditions. Preheating the feed decreases oxygen consumption and increases the net hydrogen balance. The catalyst comprises a Group 8B metal, preferably, a platinum group metal, and at least one promoter selected from Groups 1B, 6B, 3A, 4A, and 5A, optionally supported on a catalytic support, such as magnesia or alumina. In preferred embodiments, the support is pretreated with a support modifier selected from Groups 1A, 2A, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 1B, 3A, 4A, 5A, the rare earth lanthanides, and the actinides. A modified fluidized bed reactor is disclosed for the process.

Abstract: A process and catalyst for the direct oxidation of an olefin having three or more carbon atoms, such as propylene, by oxygen to the corresponding olefin oxide, such as propylene oxide. The process involves contacting the olefin with oxygen under reaction conditions in the presence of hydrogen and in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst comprises gold on a titanosilicate, preferably a microporous or mesoporous titanosilicate, such as, TS-1, TS-2, Ti-beta, Ti-ZSM-48, or Ti-MCM-41. Selectivity to the olefin oxide is high at good conversions of the olefin. The catalyst is readily regenerated, and the time between catalyst regenerations is long.

Abstract: A process and catalyst for the direct oxidation of an olefin having three or more carbon atoms, such as propylene, by oxygen to the corresponding olefin oxide, such as propylene oxide. The process involves contacting the olefin with oxygen under reaction conditions in the presence of hydrogen and in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst comprises gold on a titanosilicate, preferably a microporous or mesoporous titanosilicate, such as, TS-1, TS-2, Ti-beta, Ti-ZSM-48, or Ti-MCM-41. Selectivity to the olefin oxide is high at good conversions of the olefin. The catalyst is readily regenerated, and the time between catalyst regenerations is long.

Abstract: A process and catalyst for the direct oxidation of an olefin having three or more carbon atoms, such as propylene, by oxygen to the corresponding olefin oxide, such as propylene oxide. The process involves contacting the olefin with oxygen under reaction conditions in the presence of hydrogen and in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst comprises gold on a titanosilicate, preferably a microporous or mesoporous titanosilicate, such as, TS-1, TS-2, Ti-beta, Ti-ZSM-48, or Ti-MCM-41. Selectivity to the olefin oxide is high at good conversions of the olefin. The catalyst is readily regenerated, and the time between catalyst regenerations is long.

Abstract: An on-line method of synthesizing or regenerating catalysts for autothermal oxidation processes, specifically, the oxidation of paraffinic hydrocarbons, for example, ethane, propane, and naphtha, to olefins, for example, ethylene and propylene. The catalyst comprises a Group 8B metal, for example, a platinum group metal and, optionally, a promoter, such as tin, antimony, or copper, on a support, preferably a monolith support. On-line synthesis or regeneration involves co-feeding a volatile Group 8B metal compound and/or a volatile promoter compound with the paraffinic hydrocarbon and oxygen into the oxidation reactor under ignition or autothermal conditions.

Abstract: A process and catalyst for the direct oxidation of an olefin having three or more carbon atoms, such as propylene, by oxygen to the corresponding olefin oxide, such as propylene oxide. The process involves contacting the olefin with oxygen under reaction conditions in the presence of hydrogen and in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst comprises gold on a titanosilicate, preferably a microporous or mesoporous titanosilicate, such as, TS-1, TS-2, Ti-beta, Ti-ZSM-48, or Ti-MCM-41. Selectivity to the olefin oxide is high at good conversions of the olefin. The catalyst is readily regenerated, and the time between catalyst regenerations is long.

Abstract: A process and catalyst for the direct oxidation of an olefin having three or more carbon atoms, such as propylene, by oxygen to an olefin oxide, such as propylene oxide. The process involves contacting the olefin with oxygen under reaction conditions in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst. The catalyst comprises gold on a support of titanium dispersed on silica. The titanium phase is disorganized and substantially free of crystalline titanium dioxide, as determined by analytical methods, such as, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Selectivity to olefin oxide is high at good conversions of the olefin. The time between catalyst regenerations is long, and the catalyst is readily regenerated.

Abstract: Aromatic compounds, such as benzene or biphenyl, are alkylated with an alkylating agent having from one to eight carbons atoms, such as propylene, in the presence of an acidic mordenite zeolite catalyst under conditions sufficient to produce a mixture of substituted aromatic compounds enriched in the linear alkylated isomers, such as p-diisopropylbenzene or p,p'-di(isopropyl)biphenyl, respectively. The novel acidic mordenite catalyst is characterized by its silica/alumina molar ratio, its porosity, and a Symmetry Index. The p,p'-disubstituted isomers of aromatic compounds are useful as monomers in the preparation of thermotropic, liquid crystal polymers.

Abstract: Polycyclic aromatic compounds, such as biphenyl, are alkylated with an alkylating agent, such as propylene, in the presence of an acidic mordenite zeolite catalyst under conditions sufficient to produce a mixture of substituted polycyclic aromatic compounds enriched in the linear- and near linear-alkylated isomers, such as p,p'- and p,m'-di(isopropyl)biphenyl. The novel acidic mordenite catalyst is characterized by its silica/alumina molar ratio, its porosity, and a Symmetry Index. Mixtures of the p,p'- and p,m'-disubstituted isomers of polycyclic aromatic compounds are useful as monomers in the preparation of improved thermotropic, liquid crystal polymers.

Abstract: Aromatic compounds, such as benzene or biphenyl, are alkylated with an alkylating agent having from one to eight carbons atoms, such as propylene, in the presence of an acidic mordenite zeolite catalyst under conditions sufficient to produce a mixture of substituted aromatic compounds enriched in the linear alkylated isomers, such as p-diisopropylbenzene or p,p'-di(isopropyl)biphenyl, respectively. The novel acidic mordenite catalyst is characterized by its silica/alumina molar ratio, its porosity, and a Symmetry Index. The p,p'-disubstituted isomers of aromatic compounds are useful as monomers in the preparation of thermotropic, liquid crystal polymers.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polyphenyl dicarboxylic acids is disclosed. The process comprises contacting para,para'-diisoalkyl or dialkyl-polyphenyl or an oxidation intermediate thereof with oxygen under reaction conditions sufficient to form para,para'-polyphenyldicarboxylic acid. The process is optionally carried out in the presence of cobalt, manganese, and bromine compounds.

Abstract: Polycyclic aromatic compounds, such as biphenyl, are alkylated with an alkylating agent, such as propylene, in the presence of an acidic mordenite zeolite catalyst under conditions sufficient to produce a mixture of substituted polycyclic aromatic compounds enriched in the para alkylated isomers, such as p,p'-di(isopropyl)biphenyl. The novel acidic mordenite catalyst is characterized by its silica/alumina molar ratio, its porosity, and a Symmetry Index. The p,p'-disubstituted isomers of polycyclic aromatic compounds are useful as monomers in the preparation of thermotropic, liquid crystal polymers.

Abstract: A ThO.sub.2 catalyst having a high surface area of about 80-125 m.sup.2 /g is synthesized. The compound is synthesized by simultaneously mixing an aqueous solution of ThNO.sub.3 (NO.sub.3).sub.4.4H.sub.2 O with an aqueous solution of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3.H.sub.2 O, to produce a solution and solid ThOCO.sub.3. The solid ThOCO.sub.3 is separated from the solution, and then calcined at a temperature of about 225.degree.-300.degree. C. for about 40-55 hours to produce ThO.sub.2. The ThO.sub.2 catalyst produced includes Na present as a substitutional cation in an amount equal to about 5-10 atom percent.