Abstract: Significant amounts of soluble fluoride, known to create problems in processes requiring high quality grade calcium chloride, are removed from calcium chloride solution using hydroxyapatite as a removal mechanism. Under acidic conditions, calcium chloride solution is purified to about less than 10 ppm fluoride, significantly, to less than 1 ppm fluoride. At least 0.1 weight percent hydroxyapatite and concentrated hydrochloric acid are added to calcium chloride solution and slurried to remove fluoride and create a highly purified calcium chloride solution, substantially free of fluoride.

Abstract: A method is provided for the efficient, low cost removal of acetol from a phenol stream. The method results in removal of substantially all of the acetol from the phenol stream without the formation of substantial amounts of additional methylbenzofuran. The method also avoids the use of expensive reagents and capital intensive distillation equipment.

Abstract: A method for purification of acetone containing at least one oxidizable impurity. The method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting acetone containing at least one oxidizable impurity with a heterogeneous oxidation catalyst in the presence of oxygen for a time and at a temperature sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of at least one of the oxidizable impurities; and (b) substantially separating purified acetone from the resulting mixture obtained from step (a).

Abstract: Transition metal complexes of meso-haloalkylporphyrins, wherein the haloalkyl groups contain 2 to 8 carbon atoms have been found to be highly effective catalysts for oxidation of alkanes and for the decomposition of hydroperoxides.

Abstract: Transition metal complexes of meso-haloalkylporphyrins, wherein the haloalkyl groups contain 2 to 8 carbon atoms have been found to be highly effective catalysts for oxidation of alkanes and for the decomposition of hydroperoxides. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of meso-halocarbyl-porphyrins which comprises contacting a halocarbyl dipyrromethane with a halocarbyl-substituted aldehyde in the presence of an acid granular solid catalyst. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of meso-halocarbyl-porphyrins which comprises contacting a halocarbyl dipyrromethane with a halocarbyl-substituted aldehyde in the presence of an acid granular solic catalyst.

Abstract: The presence of a base in the reaction mixture in a metal-ligand catalyzed partial oxidation of alkanes results in sustained catalyst activity, and in greater percent conversion as compared with oxidation in the absence of base, while maintaining satisfactory selectivity for the desired oxidation, for example the oxidation of isobutane to isobutanol.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for the catalytic conversion of alkanes and alkylhydroperoxides to oxygenates, particularly alcohols, comprising the oxidation of alkanes to yield alkylhydroperoxides, alcohols, other reaction products and unreacted alkane, and the decomposition of said alkylhydroperoxides to form alcohols and oxygen. Decomposition of the alkylhydroperoxide in the presence of unreacted alkane increases the yield of alcohol. The process further comprises drying of the reaction mixture comprising alkylhydroperoxide. Suitable catalysts for the process of the invention comprise metal containing catalysts, including metal organic ligand catalysts such as unsubstituted and substituted metal complexes of porphyrins, phthalocyanines and acetylacetonates.

Abstract: A sulfated solid catalyst is provided which comprises (1) oxide or hydroxide of Group III or Group IV element, e.g. zirconium, and (2) a first metal comprising a metal or combination of metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, nickel, platinum and rhenium, and platinum and tin. The catalyst may further comprise (3) a second metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIII elements, e.g. iron. One embodiment of the invention further comprises (4) a third metal selected from the group consisting of Group V, VI and VII elements, e.g. manganese. The catalyst of the invention is useful for the isomerization of normal alkanes having 4 to 40 carbon atoms per molecule, for the naphtha upgrading of a hydrocarbon feedstock and for the hydrocracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: Transition metal complexes of meso-haloalkylporphyrins, wherein the haloalkyl groups contain 2 to 8 carbon atoms have been found to be highly effective catalysts for oxidation of alkanes and for the decomposition of hydroperoxides.

Abstract: Organic hydroperoxides are decomposed by drying a reaction mixture containing the organic hydroperoxide and an organic solvent such that said dried reaction mixture comprises approximately 1 weight percent or less of water and contacting the dried reaction mixture with a metal organic ligand catalyst under hydroperoxide decomposition conditions. An organic co-solvent for the hydroperoxide may also be used. Particularly effective catalysts are cobalt acetylacetonates and ruthenium acetylacetonates and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An isomerization process is provided which process utilizes a sulfated solid catalyst comprising (1) oxide or hydroxide of Group III or Group IV element, e.g. zirconium, and (2) a first metal comprising a metal or combination of metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, nickel, platinum and rhenium, and platinum and tin. The sulfated support is calcined prior to incorporation of the first metal and subsequent to said incorporation. The catalyst may further comprise (3) a second metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIII elements, e.g. iron. One embodiment of the invention further comprises (4) a third metal selected from the group consisting of Group V, VI and VII elements, e.g. manganese. Said second and third metals are added prior to the first calcination.

Abstract: A hydrocracking process is provided which process utilizes a sulfated solid catalyst comprising (1) oxide or hydroxide of Group III or Group IV element, e.g. zirconium, and (2) a first metal comprising a metal or combination of metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, nickel, platinum and rhenium, and platinum and tin. The catalyst may further comprise (3) a second metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIII elements, e.g. iron. One embodiment of the invention further comprises (4) a third metal selected from the group consisting of Group V, VI and VII elements, e.g. manganese.

Abstract: A naphtha upgrading process is provided which process utilizes a sulfated solid catalyst comprising (1) oxide or hydroxide of Group III or Group IV element, e.g. zirconium, and (2) a first metal comprising a metal or combination of metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, nickel, platinum and rhenium, and platinum and tin. The sulfated support is calcined prior to incorporation of the first metal and subsequent to said incorporation. The catalyst may further comprise (3) a second metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIII elements, e.g. iron. One embodiment of the invention further comprises (4) a third metal selected from the group consisting of Group V, VI and VII elements, e.g. manganese. Said second and third metals are added prior to the first calcination.

Abstract: Organic hydroperoxides are decomposed by drying a reaction mixture containing the organic hydroperoxide and an organic solvent and contacting the dried reaction mixture with a metal organic ligand catalyst under hydroperoxide decomposition conditions. An organic co-solvent for the hydroperoxide may also be used.