Abstract: Derivatives of branched or linear olefins and alcohols made by halogenation of branched or n-alkanes of the same carbon number, preferably to make primary mono-haloalkanes, which may then be oxidized with metal oxides. The derivatives of primary alcohols of this invention include alcohol ethoxylates, alcohol sulfates, alcohol sulfated ethoxylates, surfactants, including those made with these ethoxylates and/or sulfated ethoxylates, detergents made with these surfactants, oxyalkylated alcohols, oxyalkylated alcohol sulfates, polymethacrylate esters, alkyl amines and their derivatives, linear phthalates, linear adipates, alcohol ether amines, alkyl glycerol ether sulfonates, thioproprionate esters, alkyl polyglucosides, alcohol phosphates, alcohol ether phosphates, esters of fatty acids, alcohol phosphites, and benzophenones.

Abstract: This invention provides for a process to convert branched or linear alkanes to branched or linear alpha olefins (AO) of the same carbon number.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of olefins, alcohols, ethers, and olefin oxides from alkanes in a halogen, preferably bromine or chlorine, system, wherein there are halogenation (reaction of halogen with the alkanes), oxidation (reaction of alkyl halide with a metal oxide), neutralization (reaction of hydrogen halide and metal oxide), and regeneration (reaction of metal halide with air, oxygen, or other oxygen gas containing mixtures) reactions which take place in the process and that these reactions, at least, are carried out in reactors made from metallurgy including zirconium and/or zirconium-based alloys that contain varying amounts of alloying elements such as tin, niobium, chromium, iron, oxygen, and nickel. Preferably, this same metallurgy is used in the fabrication of separation and purification equipment for the process.