Patents by Inventor Joseph Robert Zoeller

Joseph Robert Zoeller has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20160325270
    Abstract: A solid catalyst comprising an effective amount of iridium and at least one second metal selected from gallium, zinc, indium and germanium associated with a solid support material is useful for vapor phase carbonylation to produce carboxylic acids and esters from alkyl alcohols, esters, ethers or ester-alcohol mixtures. The iridium and at least one second metal are deposited on a support material. In some embodiments of the invention, the catalyst is useful for vapor phase carbonylation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Zhidong George Zhu, Gerald Charles Tustin, Joseph Robert Zoeller, Mary Kathleen Moore, David Alan Jenkins
  • Patent number: 9421522
    Abstract: A solid catalyst comprising an effective amount of iridium and at least one second metal selected from gallium, zinc, indium and germanium associated with a solid support material is useful for vapor phase carbonylation to produce carboxylic acids and esters from alkyl alcohols, esters, ethers or ester-alcohol mixtures. The iridium and at least one second metal are deposited on a support material. In some embodiments of the invention, the catalyst is useful for vapor phase carbonylation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Zhidong George Zhu, Gerald Charles Tustin, Joseph Robert Zoeller, Mary Kathleen Moore, David Alan Jenkins
  • Patent number: 9387469
    Abstract: Carbonylation catalysts and methods for using them are disclosed. In some embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst includes the contact product of: (a) a nitrogen compound selected from monomeric pyridines and imidazoles; (b) a Group VIII metal; and (c) an alkali metal compound; wherein the catalyst material is on a solid support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Zhidong George Zhu, Gerald Charles Tustin, Joseph Robert Zoeller, Craig Steven Dunn, Larry Ronnie Lingerfelt, Mary Kathleen Moore
  • Publication number: 20150182957
    Abstract: Carbonylation catalysts and methods for using them are disclosed. In some embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst includes the contact product of: (a) a nitrogen compound selected from monomeric pyridines and imidazoles; (b) a Group VIII metal; and (c) an alkali metal compound; wherein the catalyst material is on a solid support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhidong George Zhu, Gerald Charles Tustin, Joseph Robert Zoeller, Craig Steven Dunn, Larry Ronnie Lingerfelt, Mary Kathleen Moore
  • Patent number: 7629491
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrocarboxylation process for the production of carboxylic acid from olefins wherein an olefin, water, a Group VIII metal hydrocarboxylation catalyst, an onium salt compound are combined in a reaction zone and contacted with carbon monoxide under hydrocarboxylation conditions of pressure and temperature The process does not require or utilize the addition of a hydrogen halide or an alkyl halide exogenous or extraneous to the hydrocarboxylation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Mary Kathleen Moore
  • Publication number: 20090247783
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved carbonylation process for the production of carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid esters, and/or carboxylic acid anhydrides wherein a carbonylation feedstock compound selected from one or more organic oxygenates such as alcohols, ethers, and esters is contacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst and one or more onium compounds. The carbonylation process differs from known carbonylation processes in that a halide compound, other than the onium salt, such as a hydrogen halide (typically, hydrogen iodide) and/or an alkyl halide (typically, methyl iodide), extraneous or exogenous to the carbonylation process is not fed or supplied to the process. The process can be improved by using a bidentate ligand comprising two functional groups selected from tertiary amines and tertiary phosphines, such as 2,2?-bipyridine and diphosphine derivatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Mary Kathleen Moore
  • Patent number: 7582792
    Abstract: Disclosed is a carbonylation process for the production of carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid esters and/or carboxylic acid anhydrides wherein a carbonylation feedstock compound selected from one or more organic oxygenates such as alcohols, ethers, and esters is contacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst and one or more onium compounds. The carbonylation process differs from known carbonylation processes in that a halide compound such as a hydrogen halide, typically hydrogen iodide, and/or alkyl halide, typically methyl iodide, extraneous or exogenous to the carbonylation process is not fed or supplied separately to the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Mary Kathleen Moore, Andrew James Vetter
  • Patent number: 7498469
    Abstract: Glycoaldehyde (GA) is prepared via self condensation of formaldehyde in the presence of a n-heterocyclic carbene to generate GA and glyceraldehyde (GlyAld) with selectivity toward forming the GA. The carbene is generated in situ by the addition of a base to the salt form of the catalyst. Selectivity is controlled by tuning the active site of the catalyst, either sterically and/or electronically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Andrew James Vetter, Mesfin Ejerssa Janka, Joseph Robert Zoeller
  • Publication number: 20070299280
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrocarboxylation process for the production of carboxylic acid from olefins wherein an olefin, water, a Group VIII metal hydrocarboxylation catalyst, an onium salt compound are combined in a reaction zone and contacted with carbon monoxide under hydrocarboxylation conditions of pressure and temperature The process does not require or utilize the addition of a hydrogen halide or an alkyl halide exogenous or extraneous to the hydrocarboxylation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Mary Kathleen Moore
  • Publication number: 20070293695
    Abstract: Disclosed is a carbonylation process for the production of carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid esters and/or carboxylic acid anhydrides wherein a carbonylation feedstock compound selected from one or more organic oxygenates such as alcohols, ethers, and esters is contacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst and one or more onium compounds. The carbonylation process differs from known carbonylation processes in that a halide compound such as a hydrogen halide, typically hydrogen iodide, and/or alkyl halide, typically methyl iodide, extraneous or exogenous to the carbonylation process is not fed or supplied separately to the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Mary Kathleen Moore, Andrew James Vetter
  • Patent number: 6903045
    Abstract: A carbonylation catalyst useful for producing esters and carboxylic acids in a vapor phase carbonylation process, wherein the catalyst includes a solid component having a catalytically effective amount of platinum and tin associated with a solid catalyst support material and a vaporous halide promoter component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Andy Hugh Singleton, Gerald Charles Tustin, Donald Lee Carver
  • Patent number: 6740762
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of ascorbic acids from 2-keto-hexonic acids or 2-keto-hexonic acid derivatives using alkaline earth silicate catalysts. The process may be carried out in water, alcohols, or in a variety of polar or moderately polar solvents or solvent mixtures and provides for simple workup and purification of ascorbic acid products. The process generates no by-product salts and thus, does not require the steps of neutralization or the handling of salt by-products. The process is particularly suited for the continuous preparation of L-ascorbic acid from 2-keto-L-gulonic acid and its esters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Allen Lynn Crain
  • Patent number: 6683216
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of amines by continuously feeding a carboxamide, aqueous alkaline hypohalite, and aqueous alkaline hydroxide to a first reaction zone to form a N-halocarboxamide, measuring the concentration of at least one reaction component in the effluent from the first reaction zone, and using the result of that measurement to control the feed rate of at least one of the feed components of to achieve at least 90% conversion of the carboxamide in the first reaction zone. The effluent from the first reaction zone is fed continuously to a second reaction zone where it further reacts to form an aqueous solution of an amine. The effluent from the second reaction zone may be fed continuously to a distillation column. The process is particularly useful for the preparation of cyclopropylamine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Norma Lindsey Buchanan, Elizabeth Celia Sharkey, Daniel Latham Terrill, Steven Paul Bellner
  • Patent number: 6646154
    Abstract: A vapor-phase carbonylation method for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants comprising lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl alcohol generating compounds, and mixtures thereof. The method includes contacting the reactants and carbon monoxide in a carbonylation zone of a carbonylation reactor under vapor-phase carbonylation conditions with a catalyst having a catalytically effective amount of a Group VIII metal selected from platinum or palladium, and tungsten which are associated with a solid catalyst support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Andy Hugh Singleton, Gerald Charles Tustin, Donald Lee Carver
  • Patent number: 6617471
    Abstract: A vapor-phase carbonylation method for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants comprising lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl alcohol generating compounds, and mixtures thereof. The method includes contacting the reactants and carbon monoxide in a carbonylation zone of a carbonylation reactor under vapor-phase conditions with a catalyst having a catalytically effective amount of iridium and tin associated with a solid carrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Andy Hugh Singleton, Gerald Charles Tustin, Donald Lee Carver
  • Patent number: 6613938
    Abstract: A vapor-phase carbonylation method for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants comprising lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl alcohol generating compositions and mixtures thereof. The method includes contacting the reactants and carbon monoxide in a carbonylation zone of a carbonylation reactor under vapor-phase conditions with a catalyst having a catalytically effective amount of platinum and tin associated with a solid carrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Andy Hugh Singleton, Gerald Charles Tustin, Donald Lee Carver
  • Publication number: 20030073854
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of ascorbic acids from 2-keto-hexonic acids or 2-keto-hexonic acid derivatives using alkaline earth silicate catalysts. The process may be carried out in water, alcohols, or in a variety of polar or moderately polar solvents or solvent mixtures and provides for simple workup and purification of ascorbic acid products. The process generates no by-product salts and thus, does not require the steps of neutralization or the handling of salt by-products. The process is particularly suited for the continuous preparation of L-ascorbic acid from 2-keto-L-gulonic acid and its esters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Allen Lynn Crain
  • Patent number: 6548444
    Abstract: A carbonylation catalyst useful for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants including lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl alcohol generating compounds, such as ether and ester derivatives of the alcohols, and mixtures thereof in a vapor phase carbonylation process. The catalyst includes a solid component having a catalytically effective amount of iridium and tin which are associated with a solid catalyst support material and a vaporous halide component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Andy Hugh Singleton, Gerald Charles Tustin, Donald Lee Carver
  • Patent number: 6537944
    Abstract: A solid carbonylation catalyst useful for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants including lower alkyl alcohols and lower alkyl alcohol producing compositions in a vapor phase carbonylation process wherein the catalyst includes a catalytically effective amount of a Group VIII metal selected from platinum or palladium, and tungsten which are associated with a solid catalyst support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Andy Hugh Singleton, Gerald Charles Tustin, Donald Lee Carver
  • Publication number: 20030018212
    Abstract: A vapor-phase carbonylation method for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants comprising lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl alcohol generating compositions and mixtures thereof. The method includes contacting the reactants and carbon monoxide in a carbonylation zone of a carbonylation reactor under vapor-phase conditions with a catalyst having a catalytically effective amount of platinum and tin associated with a solid carrier material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Andy Hugh Singleton, Gerald Charles Tustin, Donald Lee Carver