Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising molybdenum, vanadium, and antimony, and at least one other element selected from the group consisting of praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium. Such catalyst compositions are effective for the gas-phase conversion of propane to acrylonitrile and isobutane to methacrylonitrile (via ammoxidation).

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of an improved iron promoted vanadium antimony oxide catalyst useful in the ammoxidation of propane to acrylonitrile wherein the source of iron (i.e. an iron containing compound such as Fe2O3) employed in the catalyst preparation has a BET surface area greater than 120 m2/gram. Such catalysts are useful in processes for the ammoxidation of a C3-C5 paraffinic hydrocarbon to its corresponding ?-?-unsaturated nitrile, the ammoxidation of propylene with NH3 and oxygen to acrylonitrile, the ammoxidation of methylpyridine with NH3 and oxygen to make cyanopyridine, the ammoxidation of m-xylene with NH3 and oxygen to make isophthalonitrile, and the oxidation of o-xylene to make phthalic anhydride.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of an improved iron promoted vanadium antimony oxide catalyst useful in the ammoxidation of propane to acrylonitrile wherein the source of iron (i.e. an iron containing compound such as Fe2O3) employed in the catalyst preparation has a BET surface area greater than 120 m2/gram. Such catalysts are useful in processes for the ammoxidation of a C3-C5 paraffinic hydrocarbon to its corresponding &agr;-&bgr;-unsaturated nitrile, the ammoxidation of propylene with NH3 and oxygen to acrylonitrile, the ammoxidation of methylpyridine with NH3 and oxygen to make cyanopyridine, the ammoxidation of m-xylene with NH3 and oxygen to make isophthalonitrile, and the oxidation of o-xylene to make phthalic anhydride.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing an attrition resistant vanadium-antimony oxide catalyst by adding to a vanadium-antimony oxide catalyst slurry a lithium compound which upon contact with the aqueous catalyst slurry provides hydroxide, such as lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate. The process comprises the steps of preparing a catalyst slurry comprising vanadium oxide and antimony oxide, adding the lithium compound to the catalyst slurry, concentrating the catalyst slurry to increase the solids content of the slurry, and drying the catalyst slurry to form attrition resistant particles of catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the partial oxidation of propane to yield acrylic acid, propylene, acrolein and acetic acid by contacting propane in admixture with a molecular oxygen-containing gas in a reaction zone with an oxidic solid catalyst that1) contains the components and proportions represented by the empirical formulaBi.sub.b Mo.sub.c V.sub.v A.sub.a D.sub.d E.sub.e O.sub.xwhereinA is one or more of K, Na, Li, Cs and Tl,D is one or more of Fe, Ni, Co, Zn, Ce and La,E is one or more of W, Nb, Sb, Sn, P, Cu, Pb, B, Mg, Ca and Sr,a, d and e are each zero-10b is 0.1-10c is 0.1-20v is 0.1-10c:b is from 2:1 to 30:1v:b is from 1.5:1 to 8:1and2) is made by performing a bismuth molybdate containing composition having at least 0.67 atoms of Mo per atom of Bi, before combining with any vanadium compound.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising lead doped zirconium compounds are particularly effective in an oxidative process for upgrading low molecular weight alkanes to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, and especially for upgrading methane to form ethane and ethylene. The catalysts can be employed in a process performed at elevated temperatures and in the presence or absence of gaseous oxygen. The catalysts are substantially free of PbO and uncombined Pb and remain stable for long periods of time.

Abstract: A multi-component oxide catalyst comprising zinc and an alkali metal is described which is useful particularly for converting methane and/or natural gas to higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products such as ethane and ethylene. The catalyst is characterized by the formulaZn.sub.a A.sub.b M.sub.c M'.sub.d O.sub.xwhereinA is Li, Na, K, or mixtures thereof;M is Al, Ga, Cr, La, Y, Sc, V, Nb, Ta, Cu or mixtures thereof;M' is Cs, Rb, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sm, Pb, Mn, Sb, P, Sn, Bi, Ti, Zr, Hf, or mixtures thereof;a is from about 1 to about 20;b is from about 0.1 to about 20;c is from about 0 to about 5;d is from about 0 to about 20; andx is a number needed to fulfill the valence requirements of the other elements; provided that(i) at least one of c and d is at least 0.1; and(ii) when M' is Sn, c must be at least 0.1.

Abstract: A multi-component oxide catalyst comprising zinc and an alkali metal is described which is useful particularly for converting methane and/or natural gas to higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products such as ethane and ethylene. The catalyst is characterized by the formulaZn.sub.a A.sub.b M.sub.c M'.sub.d O.sub.xwhereinA is Li, Na, K, or mixtures thereof;M is Al, Ga, Cr, La, Y, Sc, V, Nb, Ta, Cu or mixtures thereof;M' is Cs, Rb, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sm, Pb, Mn, Sb, P, Sn, Bi, Ti, Zr, Hf, or mixtures thereof;a is from about 1 to about 20;b is from about 0.1 to about 20;c is from about 0 to about 5;d is from about 0 to about 20; andx is a number needed to fulfill the valence requirements of the other elements; provided that(i) at least one of c and d is at least 0.1; and(ii) when M' is Sn, c must be at least 0.1.

Abstract: A process for converting a gaseous reactant comprising methane or natural gas to higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products is disclosed which comprises: (1) contacting said gaseous reactant with an oxidative coupling catalyst at a reaction temperature of at least about 900.degree. C. for an effective period of time to form an intermediate product comprising ethane, ethylene or a mixture thereof, said catalyst being characterized by a melting point above said reaction temperature; and (2) pyrolyzing said intermediate product at a temperature of at least about 900.degree. C. for an effective period of time to form said higher molecular weight hydrocarbon products using exothermic heat generated by the formation of said intermediate product. Novel oxidative-coupling catalysts having melting points above about 900.degree. C. are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making an active and abrasion resistant catalyst composition comprising at least 5 weight percent alumina support and at most 95 percent of a complex oxide composition having the empirical formula:VSb.sub.m A.sub.a H.sub.b C.sub.c O.sub.x,whereA is one or more of W, Sn, Mo, B, P and Ge;H is one or more of Cu, Ag, Nb, Ta, Ti, Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, Pb, Mn, Zn, Se, Te, Ga, In and As;C is one or more of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, and rare earths; andwhere m is from 0.01 and up to 20; a is 0-10; b is 0-20; c is 0-20 (usually 0-1); the ratio (a+b+c):(1+m) is 0.01-6; wherein x is determined by the oxidation state of the other elements, which method comprises mixing a hydrosol or gel of boehmite with a slurry or solution containing the other batch materials containing the elements of said formula, and thereafter drying and calcining the resultant solid.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising lead doped zirconium compounds are particularly effective in an oxidative process for upgrading low molecular weight alkanes to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, and especially for upgrading methane to form ethane and ethylene. The catalysts can be employed in a process performed at elevated temperatures and in the presence or absence of gaseous oxygen. The catalysts are substantially free of PbO and uncombined Pb and remain stable for long periods of time.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting methane to a higher order hydrocarbon comprising contacting a gaseous reactant comprising methane with a phosphate-containing catalyst for a sufficient period of time and at an effective temperature to provide said higher order hydrocarbon, said catalyst being represented by the formulaM.sub.x PO.sub.ywhereinM is selected from the group consisting of Pb, Bi, Sb, Sn, Tl, In, Mn, Cd, Ge or a mixture of two or more thereof,x is from about 0.1 to about 10, andy is the number of oxygens needed to fulfill the valence requirements of the other elements.

Abstract: Oxole compounds, e.g. furan, are produced by contacting alkenes and/or alkadienes with molecular oxygen in the presence of an antimony catalyst.

Abstract: A multi-stage dehydrogenation process for preparing indene and substituted indenes from indene precursors more saturated than indene is described. The process comprises the steps of(a) contacting said indene precursor in a first dehydrogenation zone with a dehydrogenation catalyst at an elevated temperature to form an intermediate product,(b) advancing the product of the first dehydrogenation zone to a second dehydrogenation zone,(c) contacting said product in the second dehydrogenation zone with a second dehydrogenation catalyst at an elevated temperature, and(d) recovering indene or a substituted indene from said second zone.The process of the invention results in yields of indene which are enhanced when compared to single stage, essentially isothermal processes using a single catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the dehydrogenation of alkyl-substituted aromatic compounds to the corresponding alkenyl-substituted aromatics in the presence of oxygen and in the presence of an improved metal phosphate catalyst composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the dehydrogenation of alkyl-substituted aromatic compounds to the corresponding alkenyl-substituted aromatics in the presence of oxygen and in the presence of an improved metal phosphate catalyst composition.

Abstract: Unsubstituted and substituted bicyclic indene precursors more saturated than indene are converted to indene by a dehydrogenation process in which the indene precursor in the presence of an oxygen donor is contacted with a phosphate catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the dehydrogenation of diarylethanes to the corresponding diarylethylenes in the presence of oxygen and in the presence of a metal phosphate catalyst.

Abstract: Catalysts having a substantially spherical shape, a void center and a hole in the external surface communicating to the void center have been found to be especially effective in the alkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons.