Abstract: A process for converting methane to methanol using a homogeneous catalyst has been developed. The catalyst is a metal compound having an empirical formula of MxXm where M is a metal such as Pd, Cu, Co, and Mn, X is an anion such as acetate, trifluoroacetate, sulfate, propionate, “m” is the oxidation state of M, and “x” is the anion valence of X. Generally the process involves contacting a gas stream containing methane with the homogeneous catalyst and an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide at oxidation conditions to produce methyl trifluoroacetate. Finally, the methyl trifluoroacetate is hydrolyzed to give a methanol product stream.

Abstract: A process for selectively opening cyclic paraffins (naphthenic rings) with substantially no subsequent cracking of the acyclic product has been developed. The process comprises contacting a cyclic paraffin feedstream with a catalyst at ring opening conditions to produce an acyclic paraffin product. The catalyst comprises a Group VIII metal, such as platinum, a modifier component, such as niobium or ytterbium, a molecular sieve, such as UZM-16 and a refractory inorganic oxide such as alumina. The Group VIII metal and modifier component are preferably deposited on the refractory inorganic oxide.

Abstract: A catalyst for selectively opening cyclic paraffins has been developed. The catalyst comprises a Group VIII metal, such as platinum, a modifier component, such as niobium or ytterbium, a molecular sieve, such as UZM-16 and a refractory inorganic oxide such as alumina. The Group VIII metal and modifier component are preferably deposited on the refractory inorganic oxide. A process for using the catalyst is also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for opening aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbons have been developed. The catalyst comprises a catalytic metal component, a molecular sieve and refractory inorganic oxide component. The molecular sieve is selected from the group consisting of MAPSOs, SAPOs, UZM-8, UZM-8HS, UZM-15, UZM-15HS, UZM-16, UZM-16HS and mixtures thereof. Preferred catalytic metals include platinum, palladium and rhodium. The catalyst may also contain a modifier such as niobium, titanium, or rare earth metals.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for opening aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbons have been developed. The catalyst comprises a catalytic metal component, a molecular sieve and refractory inorganic oxide component. The molecular sieve is selected from the group consisting of MAPSOs, SAPOs, UZM-8, UZM-8HS, UZM-15, UZM-15HS, UZM-16, UZM-16HS and mixtures thereof. Preferred catalytic metals include platinum, palladium and rhodium. The catalyst may also contain a modifier such as niobium, titanium, or rare earth metals.

Abstract: A catalyst for selectively opening cyclic paraffins has been developed. The catalyst comprises a Group VIII metal, such as platinum, a modifier component, such as niobium or ytterbium, a molecular sieve, such as UZM-16 and a refractory inorganic oxide such as alumina. The Group VIII metal and modifier component are preferably deposited on the refractory inorganic oxide. A process for using the catalyst is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for cracking a naphtha feedstream to light olefins is presented. The process comprises converting aromatics and naphthenes to paraffins, and separating iso- and normal paraffins using a ring opening reactor and an adsorption separation unit.

Abstract: A process has been developed for oxygenating linear C2 to C6 alkanes to ketones or aldehydes. The process involves reacting the alkanes with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising an imide promoter and a metal co-catalyst. An example of the imide is N-hydroxyphthalimide and an example of the co-catalyst is Co (acetylacetonate). The process is preferably carried out using an inert solvent, an example of which is acetic acid. Optionally, the oxygenated product can be hydrogenated to give the corresponding alcohol which can optionally in turn be dehydrated to provide the corresponding olefin.

Abstract: Processes for oxidizing hydrocarbons using a new family of crystalline manganese phosphate compositions have been developed. These compositions have an extended network which network can be a one-, two-, or three-dimensional network. The composition has an empirical formula of: (Aa+)v(Mnb+)(Mc+)xPyOz where A is a structure directing agent such as an alkali metal, M is a metal such as Al, Fe3+ and “b” is the average manganese oxidation state and varies from greater than 2.0 to a maximum of 3.0. Specific oxidation processes are oxidative dehydrodimerization and oxidative dehydrogenation.

Abstract: A novel process effective for the removal of organic sulfur compounds from liquid hydrocarbons is disclosed. The process more specifically addresses the removal of thiophenes and thiophene derivatives from a number of petroleum fractions, including gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene. In the first step of the process, the liquid hydrocarbon is subjected to oxidation conditions in order to oxidize at least some of the thiophene compounds to sulfones. Then, these sulfones can be catalytically decomposed to hydrocarbons (e.g. hydroxybiphenyl) and volatile sulfur compounds (e.g. sulfur dioxide). The hydrocarbon decomposition products remain in the treated liquid as valuable blending components, while the volatile sulfur compounds are easily separable from the treated liquid using well-known techniques such as flash vaporization or distillation.

Abstract: A process for the desulfurization of hydrocarbonaceous oil wherein the hydrocarbonaceous oil and a recycle stream containing sulfur-oxidated compounds is contacted with a hydrodesulfurization catalyst in a hydrodesulfurization reaction zone to reduce the sulfur level to a relatively low level and then contacting the resulting hydrocarbonaceous stream from the hydrodesulfurization zone with an oxidizing agent to convert the residual, low level of sulfur compounds into sulfur-oxidated compounds. The residual oxidizing agent is decomposed and the resulting hydrocarbonaceous oil stream containing the sulfur-oxidated compounds is separated to produce a stream containing the sulfur-oxidated compounds and a hydrocarbonaceous oil stream having a reduced concentration of sulfur-oxidated compounds. At least a portion of the sulfur-oxidated compounds is recycled to the hydrodesulfurization reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for the alkylation of aromatic compounds with an olefin or alkyl halide having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms utilizes a novel catalyst comprising: a) a refractory inorganic oxide, b) the reaction product of a first metal halide and bound surface hydroxyl groups of the refractory inorganic oxide, c) a second metal cation, and d) optionally a zerovalent third metal. The refractory inorganic oxide is selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, chromia, silica, boria, silica-alumina, and combinations thereof and the first metal halide is a fluoride, chloride, or bromide of aluminum, gallium, zirconium, or boron. The second metal cation is selected from the group consisting of: monovalent metal cations in an amount from 0.0026 up to about 0.20 gram atoms per 100 grams refractory inorganic oxide for lithium, potassium, cerium, rubidium, silver, and copper, and from 0.012 to about 0.20 gram atoms for sodium; and alkaline earth metal cations in an amount from about 0.0013 up to about 0.

Abstract: A process for the alkylation of alkenes having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms with an alkane having from 4 to 6 carbon atoms to afford an alkylate comprises reacting in the liquid phase the alkene and alkane under alkylation conditions in the presence of a novel catalyst comprising: a) a refractory inorganic oxide, b) the reaction product of a first metal halide and bound surface hydroxyl groups of the refractory inorganic oxide, c) a second metal cation, and d) optionally a zerovalent third metal. The refractory inorganic oxide is selected form the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, chromia, silica, boria, silica-alumina, and combinations thereof and the first metal halide is a fluoride, chloride, or bromide of aluminum or boron. The second metal cation is selected from the group consisting of: monovalent metal cations in an amount from 0.0026 up to about 0.20 gram atoms per 100 grams refractory inorganic oxide for lithium, potassium, cesium, rubidium, silver, and copper, and from 0.012 to about 0.

Abstract: An HF-agent complex, such as HF-pyridine complex where the complexing agent is pyridine, is recovered and recycled from a by-product containing stream in an alkylation process using the complex by (a) selectively removing a portion of the HF from the by-product stream to produce an HF-depleted stream having a molar ratio of HF per Lewis base site of the complexing agent of 3:1 to 5:1, (b) separating the resulting HF-depleted stream into a hydrocarbon phase enriched in ASO and an acid phase depleted in ASO and containing a substantial portion of the complex, and (c) recycling the acid phase to the hydrocarbon alkylation step.

Abstract: A catalytic composite of a refractory inorganic oxide whose bound surface hydroxyl group has reacted with a Friedel-Crafts type metal halide and whose acidity has been modified by the deposition of a monovalent metal cation, especially an alkali metal cation, or alkaline earth metal cation shows superior selectivity and a significantly decreased cracking tendency relative to similar catalysts without the monovalent metal or alkaline earth metal cation. The resulting alkylate from an isobutane-butene feedstock shows a substantial increase in research octane number relative to the alkylate formed by a similar catalyst which has not been so modified by an alkali or alkaline earth metal cation.

Abstract: A process for the alkylation of aromatic compounds with an olefin, alcohol, or alkyl halide having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms comprising reacting in the liquid phase the aromatic and alkylating agent under alkylation conditions in the presence of a novel catalyst comprising: a) a refractory inorganic oxide, b) the reaction product of a first metal halide and bound surface hydroxyl groups of the refractory inorganic oxide, c) a second metal cation, and d) optionally a zerovalent third metal. The refractory inorganic oxide is selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, chromia, silica, boria, silica-alumina, and combinations thereof and the first metal halide is a fluoride, chloride, or bromide of aluminum. The second metal cation is selected from the group consisting of: monovalent metal cations in an amount from 0.0026 up to about 0.20 gram atoms per 100 grams refractory inorganic oxide for lithium, potassium, cerium, rubidium, silver, and copper, and from 0.009 to about 0.

Abstract: A novel continuous process for the preparation of alkylated benzenes effected by solid catalysts which become deactivated under alkylation conditions uses a single catalyst zone for both reaction and catalyst flushing to prevent deactivation. The process utilizes a pulsed flow of the linear monoolefins into the catalyst zone during a reaction cycle with benzene acting as a desorbent for catalyst deactivating agents to prevent significant catalyst deactivation. The process can be generalized to encompass many types of reactions.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons such as isobutane and benzenes are alkylated using a solid catalyst in a process which simulates the cocurrent movement of the catalyst bed versus the reactants. This has been found to greatly reduce the rate of catalyst deactivation compared to simulated countercurrent flow. The process may be performed using five or more beds of catalyst, with two undergoing regeneration at any one time. One bed is subjected to a short term liquid-phase regeneration while the other is subjected to long term vapor-phase regeneration. The catalyst preferably contains a metal hydrogenation function effective to selectively hydrogenate C.sub.6 -plus materials trapped on the used catalyst.

Abstract: Paraffins and other hydrocarbons are alkylated using a solid bed catalyst in a process featuring a reaction zone operated at mixed-phase conditions which allow the heat of reaction to vaporize a portion of the liquid phase feed hydrocarbon passing downward through it thus facilitating recycling of the feed hydrocarbon. The feed hydrocarbon recovered from the reaction zone effluent is recycled as a liquid, preferably admixed with hydrogen, with the feed olefin being preferably introduced near the top of the reactor as a vapor. The catalyst preferably contains a metal hydrogenation function effective to selectively hydrogenate C.sub.6 -plus olefins produced as by-products.

Abstract: Catalytic composites of the reaction product of a metal halide having Friedel-Crafts activity with the bound surface hydroxyl group of inorganic oxides and containing a zerovalent metal with hydrogenation activity, often are effective catalysts in motor fuel alkylation which, however, undergo rapid deactivation. Deactivated catalysts are readily regenerable by treating the composite from which alkylate feedstock has been removed with hydrogen at temperatures in the range of 10.degree. to 300.degree. C. Multiple regenerations are possible without appreciable activity loss.