Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation of organic compounds in vapor phase with catalysts comprising crystalline compositions of iron, oxygen and at least one other metallic element. Preferred catalysts are ferrites.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process which comprises calcining an intimate mixture of elemental sulfur and compounds of the other elements in the following empirical atomic formula and further treating the resulting mass to obtain the new catalyst:XY.sub.a Z.sub.b S.sub.c O.sub.dwherein:X is a transition element or a mixture thereof selected from the group V, Mo, W;Y is a stability enhancing element or a mixture thereof selected from the group C, Si, B, Ce, Th, Nb, Zr, Ta, U, where "a" can vary from 0 to 2;Z is a promoter element or a mixture thereof selected from the group Co, Ni, Fe, where "b" can vary from 0 to 0.1;S is the element sulfur, where "c" can vary from 1.3 to 6.0;O is the element oxygen, where "d" can vary from 0 to the upper limit required by stoichiometry.

Abstract: Copper chloride has been employed as a reagent for oxychlorination of hydrocarbons. It has now been found that a non-halide copper compound in combination with a rare earth compound is an excellent oxychlorination catalyst, e.g. a CuCO.sub.3 - CeO.sub.2 catalyst calcined at 900.degree. C. for 1 hour converted 99 mole % of ethylene fed at a selectivity of 100% to chlorinated products, principally vinyl chloride, ethyl chloride and dichloroethane.

Abstract: Copperchloride has been employed as a reagent for oxychlorination of hydrocarbons. It has now been found that a non-halide copper compound in combination with a rare earth compound is an excellent oxychlorination catalyst, e.g. a CuCO.sub.3 -- CeO.sub.2 catalyst calcined at 900.degree. C. for 1 hour converted 99 mole % of ethylene fed at a selectivity of 100% to chlorinated products, principally vinyl chloride, ethyl chloride and dichloroethane.

Abstract: Selective catalysts and processes using same in which SO.sub.x compounds are reduced to elemental sulfur in oxidation-reduction processes in which simultaneously oxidizable gases undergo oxidation.

Abstract: The yield in oxidative dehydrogenation of organic compounds is improved by having a surfur promoter present either as part of the catalyst or added to the reaction with the reactants.