Abstract: A process for the direct carbonylation of saturated hydrocarbons has been developed. The process involves contacting the saturated hydrocarbons, which contain at least one primary, secondary or tertiary carbon atom, with carbon monoxide in the presence of a solid strong acid catalyst to produce an oxygenated saturated hydrocarbon. In a specific embodiment isobutane is reacted with carbon monoxide using sulfated zirconia as the catalyst to produce methylisopropyl ketone. The oxygenated hydrocarbon can subsequently be hydrogenated to give a reduced oxygenated saturated hydrocarbon. The hydrogenation can also be done simultaneously with the carbonylation, i.e., reductive carbonylation.

Abstract: Applicants have developed a process for the oxidation of ketones to esters. The process involves contacting the ketone with hydrogen peroxide and a catalyst at oxidation conditions. The catalyst is a molecular sieve represented by the empirical formula: (MwSnxTiySi1−x−y−zGez)O2 where M is a trivalent metal such as aluminum or boron. These molecular sieves have a microporous three dimensional framework structure of at least SiO2 and SnO2 tetrahedral units, a crystallographically regular pore system and the characteristic x-ray diffraction pattern of zeolite beta.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of saturated hydrocarbons to give an oxygenated saturated hydrocarbon is disclosed and claimed. The process involves using an acidic ionic liquid catalyst to catalyze the carbon monoxide addition to the saturated hydrocarbon at reaction conditions to form an oxygenate. The acidic ionic liquid comprises a Lewis or Bronsted acid in combination with a quaternary nitrogen-containing compound. A specific example is a mixture of aluminum chloride and n-butylpyridinium chloride.

Abstract: A process for the reduction of ketones or aldehydes to alcohols has been developed. The process involves contacting the ketone or aldehyde with a primary or secondary alcohol and a catalyst at reduction conditions. The catalyst is a molecular sieve having the empirical formula: (MwSnxTiySi1-x-y-zGez)O2 where M is a trivalent metal such as aluminum or boron. These molecular sieves have a microporous three dimensional framework structure of at least SiO2 and SnO2 tetrahedral units, a crystallographically regular pore system and the characteristic x-ray diffraction pattern of zeolite beta.

Abstract: Removal of organic sulfur compounds, especially aromatic sulfur compounds from an FCC feedstock with minimal adsorption of aromatic hydrocarbons is achieved using a zeolite X exchanged with alkali or alkaline earth cations. KX is an especially effective adsorbent. Where the KX is loaded with a group VIII metal, particular palladium or platinum, the adsorbent is effectively regenerated by treatment with hydrogen at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur containing compounds from various hydrocarbon streams is disclosed and claimed. The process involves contacting the feedstream with an adsorbent such as nickel exchanged zeolite X or Y, or a smectite layered clay having a surface area of at least 150 m.sup.2 /g, thereby adsorbing the sulfur compounds onto the adsorbent.

Abstract: Titanovanadosilicalites have been found to be very selective, active catalysts in the epoxidation of olefins by peroxides. Dilute hydrogen peroxide suffices to afford high yields of the epoxide. Vanadium incorporation at levels of Si:V in the range 100-2500 effectively changes the characteristics of the titanosilicalite into which it is incorporated to give near quantitative conversion of propylene at selectivities greater than 90%.

Abstract: The oxidation of olefinic compounds generally using hydroperoxides, especially aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide, can be effected in high yield and with good selectivity in the presence of a catalyst which is a mixture of small particles of titania and a titanosilicalite. Small particle size is essential in affording a catalyst with good activity and selectivity, with particle sizes no more than about 0.3 microns being the preferred mode of operation. Dilute aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions may be used with good results. The resulting epoxidation, even when carried out at modest temperatures and with dilute aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions, afford superior results in epoxidation relative to TS-1.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur containing compounds from various liquid organic feedstreams has been developed. The process involves contacting the feed stream with a metal oxide solid solution which adsorbs the sulfur containing compounds. Examples of these solid solutions are Mg/Al and Ni/Mg/Al oxide solid solutions.

Abstract: The oxidation of olefinic compounds generally using hydroperoxides, especially aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide, can be effected in high yield and with good selectivity in the presence of a titania-supported titanosilicate catalyst. Dilute aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions may be used with good results. The resulting epoxidation, even when carried out at modest temperatures and with dilute aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions, afford superior results in epoxidation relative to TS-1.

Abstract: Certain crystalline titanoaluminosilicate molecular sieve compositions having titanium, aluminum, and silicon present as framework tetrahedral oxide units are particularly effective in hydroxylating the aromatic nucleus of aromatic compounds using hydrogen peroxide, even where the hydrogen peroxide is used at concentrations of 10 weight percent or less. The variant where the exchangeable hydrogens of the titanoaluminosilicate are replaced by an alkali or alkaline earth metal cation is particularly favored because of the concomitant increase in selectivity. Excellent utilization of hydrogen peroxide often is observed, even when the hydroxylation is effected at temperatures under about 60.degree. C.