Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing acrolein by liquid phase dehydration of glycerol by preparing a mixture of a catalyst suspended in an organic solvent comprising one or more vinyl polymers and glycerol; and then mixing and heating the mixture to between 150° C. and 350° C. to dehydrate the glycerol and form acrolein. The vinyl polymers are selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polystyrene, and mixtures thereof. The polyolefins may be polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, polypentene, or mixtures thereof. The acrolein may be subjected to vapor phase oxidation in the presence of a catalyst, such as a mixed metal oxide, to produce acrylic acid.

Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst by contacting a mixed metal oxide catalyst with water, and optionally, an aqueous metal oxide precursor to produce a modified mixed metal oxide, and calcining the modified mixed metal oxide.

Abstract: A process for converting a salt of a hydroxycarboxylic acid to an unsaturated carboxylic acid, or esters thereof. The process involves converting an ammonium salt of a hydroxycarboxylic acid in aqueous solution to a corresponding hydroxycarboxylic acid and ammonium cation in aqueous solution; and separating the ammonium cation from the aqueous solution, leaving the hydroxycarboxylic acid in aqueous solution. The converting and separating steps may be accomplished by employing a hydrophobic acid or an acid ion exchange resin, each of which must have an acid dissociation constant, i.e., pKa, at least 0.5 less that that of the salt of the hydroxycarboxylic acid. Where a hydrophobic acid is used, it must be immiscible in water, and its salt must also be immiscible in water, and the resulting multi-phase solution comprises an aqueous phase comprising the corresponding hydroxycarboxylic acid, as well as a non-aqueous phase comprising a neutralized acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing acrolein by liquid phase dehydration of glycerol by preparing a mixture of a catalyst suspended in an organic solvent comprising one or more vinyl polymers and glycerol; and then mixing and heating the mixture to between 150° C. and 350° C. to dehydrate the glycerol and form acrolein. The vinyl polymers are selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polystyrene, and mixtures thereof. The polyolefins may be polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, polypentene, or mixtures thereof. The acrolein may be subjected to vapor phase oxidation in the presence of a catalyst, such as a mixed metal oxide, to produce acrylic acid.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of unsaturated carboxylic acids and unsaturated nitrites from their corresponding C3 to C5 alkanes, or mixtures of C3 to C5 alkanes and alkenes, that involves a multi-stage reaction system which employs both separation of the oxidation product from one or more intermediate effluent streams, as well as feeding additional oxygen to reaction zones subsequent to the first reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for converting a salt of a hydroxycarboxylic acid to an unsaturated carboxylic acid, or esters thereof. The process involves converting an ammonium salt of a hydroxycarboxylic acid in aqueous solution to a corresponding hydroxycarboxylic acid and ammonium cation in aqueous solution; and separating the ammonium cation from the aqueous solution, leaving the hydroxycarboxylic acid in aqueous solution. The converting and separating steps may be accomplished by employing a hydrophobic acid or an acid ion exchange resin, each of which must have an acid dissociation constant, i.e., pKa, at least 0.5 less that that of the salt of the hydroxycarboxylic acid. Where a hydrophobic acid is used, it must be immiscible in water, and its salt must also be immiscible in water, and the resulting multi-phase solution comprises an aqueous phase comprising the corresponding hydroxycarboxylic acid, as well as a non-aqueous phase comprising a neutralized acid.

Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst by contacting a mixed metal oxide catalyst with water, and optionally, an aqueous metal oxide precursor to produce a modified mixed metal oxide, and calcining the modified mixed metal oxide.

Abstract: An orthorhombic phase mixed metal oxide is produced selectively in quantitative yield and used to produce.

Abstract: An orthorhombic phase mixed metal oxide is produced selectively in quantitative yield.

Abstract: A method for producing an unsaturated carboxylic acid comprises: (a) contacting, in a reaction zone, an alkane with a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide, under conditions which produce a product gas comprising the unsaturated carboxylic acid, unreacted alkane and a product alkene; (b) recovering unreacted alkane and product alkene from the product gas; and (c) recycling the recovered unreacted alkane and product alkene to the reaction zone; wherein the mixed metal oxide consists of a material having the formula AaMmNnXxOo wherein A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten, wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of vanadium, cerium and chromium, wherein N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of tellurium, bismuth and selenium, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum, titanium, aluminum, zirconium, chromium, manganese, iron, ruthenium, cobalt, rhodium, nickel,

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide is useful for the vapor phase oxidation of an alkane or a mixture of an alkane and an alkene to an unsaturated carboxylic acid and for the vapor phase ammoxidation of an alkane or a mixture of an alkane and an alkene to an unsaturated nitrile.

Abstract: Unsaturated carboxylic acids are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of mixtures of alkenes and alkanes in the presence of a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide. Similarly, unsaturated nitriles are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of alkenes or mixtures of alkenes and alkanes and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide.

Abstract: An orthorhombic phase mixed metal oxide is produced selectively in quantitative yield.

Abstract: Improved processes for the preparation of olefins, unsaturated carboxylic acids and unsaturated nitriles involve the use of dehydrogenation catalysts suitable for the conversion of alkanes to alkenes and catalysts suitable for the conversion of alkanes and/or alkenes to unsaturated carboxylic acids or unsaturated nitriles.

Abstract: A mixed metal oxide, which may be an orthorhombic phase material, is improved as a catalyst for the production of unsaturated carboxylic acids, or unsaturated nitriles, from alkanes, or mixtures of alkanes and alkenes, by: contacting with a liquid contacting member selected from the group consisting of organic acids, alcohols, inorganic acids and hydrogen peroxide to form a contact mixture; recovering insoluble material from the contact mixture; and calcining the recovered insoluble material in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: Unsaturated carboxylic acids are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of mixtures of alkenes and alkanes in the presence of a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide. Similarly, unsaturated nitrites are produced by the vapor phase catalytic oxidation of alkenes or mixtures of alkenes and alkanes and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide.

Abstract: A mixed metal oxide, which may be an orthorhombic phase material, is improved as a catalyst for the production of unsaturated carboxylic acids, or unsaturated nitrites, from alkanes, or mixtures of alkanes and alkenes, by: contacting with a liquid contacting member selected from the group consisting of organic acids, alcohols, inorganic acids and hydrogen peroxide to form a contact mixture; recovering insoluble material from the contact mixture; and calcining the recovered insoluble material in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: An orthorhombic phase mixed metal oxide is produced selectively in quantitative yield.

Abstract: A mixed metal oxide, which may be an orthorhombic phase material, is improved as a catalyst for the production of unsaturated carboxylic acids, or unsaturated nitrites, from alkanes, or mixtures of alkanes and alkenes, by contact with a liquid contacting member selected from the group consisting of organic acids, alcohols, inorganic acids and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: An orthorhombic phase mixed metal oxide is produced selectively in quantitative yield.