Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing and self-assembly of nanobinary and ternary metal oxy/hydroxides with high surface area and 1-10 nm size by aerogel procedure, involving homogenization of metal organic precursors in solvent mixture, controlled hydrolysis, gelation, hydrothermal treatment and finally supercritical drying of solvent.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a solid basic catalyst comprising a hydrotalcite structure wherein part at least of the compensating anions are fluoride anions F? for producing Knoevenagel of Michael condensation reactions. The invention also concerns novel solid basic catalysts comprising a hydrotalcite structure characterized by a Mg/Al molar ratio ranging between 2.5 and 3.8 wherein at least part of the compensating anions are fluoride anions F?, and methods for preparing said novel catalysts.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a solid basic catalyst comprising a hydrotalcite structure wherein part at least of the compensating anions are fluoride anions F? for producing Knoevenagel of Michael condensation reactions. The invention also concerns novel solid basic catalysts comprising a hydrotalcite structure characterised by a Mg/Al molar ratio ranging between 2.5 and 3.8 wherein at least part of the compensating anions are fluoride anions F?, and methods for preparing said novel catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of alkanesulfonic acid. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for the production of alkanesulfonic acid from alkyl mercaptan effluents generated in chemical industries. The process of the invention comprises the oxidation of the entire alkyl mercaptan generated as an effluent in the chemical industries to serve two concomitant purposes: (1) complete removal of obnoxious odor, and (2) value addition by the production of alkanesulfonic acids selectively in quantitative yields.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of nanocrystalline zeolite beta by a modified aerogel protocol comprising four steps, namely, hydrolysis, nucleation, crystallization and supercritcal drying.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of alkanesulfonic acid. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for the production of alkanesulfonic acid from alkyl mercaptan effluents generated in chemical industries. The process of the invention comprises the oxidation of the entire alkyl mercaptan generated as an effluent in the chemical industries to serve two concomitant purposes: (1) complete removal of obnoxious odour, and (2) value addition by the production of alkanesulfonic acids selectively in quantitative yields.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of nanocrystalline zeolite beta by a modified aerogel protocol comprising four steps, namely, hydrolysis, nucleation, crystallization and supercritcal drying.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a solid basic catalyst comprising a hydrotalcite structure wherein part at least of the compensating anions are fluoride anions F for producing Knoevenagel or Michael condensation reactions. The invention also concerns novel solid basic catalysts comprising a hydrotalcite structure characterised by a Mg/Al molar ratio ranging between 2.5 and 3.8 wherein at least part of the compensating anions are fluoride anions F, and methods for preparing said novel catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of benzaldehyde with 40-50% selectivity comprising by catalytic liquid phase air oxidation of toluene. The process involves providing a continuous flow of air in the presence of a catalyst such as salts of Fe, Co, Mo and Ni, and preferably a co-catalyst such as salts of manganese or copper, a promoter which may also be a bromine source, and a carboxylic acid solvent selected from the group consisting of acetic, propionic, benzoic acids ranging between 0.05 to 0.3 wt. times with respect to toluene, at a temperature ranging between 60-130° C. and pressures in the range of 1-10 bars for a period of 0.5-1.5 hours to obtain benzaldehyde (40-50%) along with other by-products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of esters from alcohols using acetic acid as acetylating agent and clays as catalysts, which comprises the preparation of esters in a single step from the reaction of aliphatic, acyclic, cyclic, heterocyclic, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated and aromatic alcohols with carbon atoms in the range of C1 to C10 with acetic acid in a molar ratio of 1:3 to 11 using reusable natural montmorillonite/metal ion-exchanged clay catalysts in the solvent medium of aliphatic, aromatic, or chlorinated hydrocarbons at 30-140° C. for a period in the range of 0.02 to 3.0 hrs, and recovering the corresponding esters by simple work-up procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of nitro line aromatic compounds from aromatic hydrocarbons using modified clay catalysts. This invention particularly relates to a process for nitration of aromatic hydrocarbons using modified clay catalysts without using H2SO4. The process for the preparation of nitro compounds from aromatic hydrocarbons using modified clay catalysts comprises nitrating aromatic hydrocarbons using fuming nitric acid in the molar ratio of nitric acid to aromatic hydrocarbon 0.3:1 to 1.2:1 in the presence of metal exchanged clay catalyst at 25° C. to 155° C. for 0.25 to 2.0 hours and recovering the corresponding nitro compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of esters from alcohols using acetic acid as acetylating agent and clays as catalysts, which comprises the preparation of esters in a single step from the reaction of aliphatic, acyclic, cyclic, heterocyclic, &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated and aromatic alcohols with carbon atoms in the range of C1 to C10 with acetic acid in a molar ratio of 1:3 to 11 using reusable natural montmorillonite/metal ion-exchanged clay catalysts in the solvent medium of aliphatic, aromatic, or chlorinated hydrocarbons at 30-140° C. for a period in the range of 0.02 to 3.0 hrs, and recovering the corresponding esters by simple work-up procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel single step process for the production of amides from amines comprising reaction of amines with an acylating agent comprising of a carboxylic acid in a molar ratio of 1:3 to 1:10 in the presence of reusable natural montmorillonite/metal ion-exchanged clay catalysts, in a suitable solvent medium at a temperature in the range of 30-160° C. for a period of 0.02 to 6 hrs, and recovering the corresponding amides by a conventional simple work-up procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of nitroarenes with high para-selectivity from monosubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons using aluminosilicates as catalysts, which comprises nitration of monosubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons using aluminosilicates of different ratios wherein Si/Al ranges between 5 to 1000 and the said aluminosilicates being manifested in the form of variety of zeolites and K10 montmorillonite as catalysts using nitric acid in the molar ratio of nitric acid to monosubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons ranging between 0.25 to 2.5 at a temperature in the range of 30-160.degree. C. for a period ranging between 0.25 to 3.0 h and followed by continuous removal of water formed from the reaction mixture with a Dean-Stark apparatus and recovery of the product mixture by concentration of the reaction mixture after separation of the catalyst by filtration.