Abstract: Provided are processes for producing metal oxides, including pigmentary TiO2. In embodiments, a process for producing a metal oxide comprises combining a metal halide and an oxidant in a liquid phase medium under conditions to oxidize the metal halide in the liquid phase medium to produce a metal oxide therefrom.

Abstract: Processes for acylating an aromatic compound are provided. In embodiments, such a process comprises combining an aromatic compound, an acylating agent, and a catalyst composition under conditions to induce acylation of the aromatic compound with the acylating agent, the catalyst composition comprising components selected from the group consisting of a sulfonic acid of formula R—SO3H, wherein R is a linear alkyl group substituted with one or more halogen atoms; an ionic liquid and an acid; an acid and a base capable of forming an ionic liquid with the acid; an ionic liquid, an acid, and an aromatic; and an acid, a base capable of forming an ionic liquid with the acid, and an aromatic. The ionic liquid does not comprise a metal halide and the catalyst composition is free of a metal halide and the aromatic, if present in the catalyst composition, is not the aromatic compound being acylated.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for processing pistachio shells based on cooled, e.g., cryogenic, grinding. In embodiments, such a method comprises grinding raw pistachio shells in a cooled compression milling system, e.g., a cryo-compression milling system, under conditions to provide ground pistachio shells having a D50 particle size in a range of from 10 ?m to 600 ?m. Animal nutrition products are also provided. In embodiments, an animal nutrition product configured to be ingested by an animal is provided, the animal nutrition product comprising ground pistachio shells having a D50 particle size in a range of from 10 ?m to 600 ?m.

Abstract: Processes for alkylating benzene are provided. In embodiments, the process comprises combining benzene, an olefin, and a catalyst composition under conditions to react benzene with the olefin to produce an alkylbenzene, the catalyst composition comprising components selected from the group consisting of an ionic liquid, an acid, and an aromatic; an acid, a base capable of forming an ionic liquid with the acid, and an aromatic; an ionic liquid and an acid; and an acid and a base capable of forming an ionic liquid with the acid. The ionic liquid does not comprise a metal halide and the catalyst composition is free of a metal halide and the aromatic, if present in the catalyst composition, is not the benzene being alkylated.

Abstract: Haloalkane sulfonic acids and salts thereof are provided. In embodiments, a haloalkane sulfonic acid or salt thereof comprises an alkyl group, at least one sulfonic acid group, and one or more halogens selected from Cl, Br, I, and F, the haloalkane sulfonic acid having a total number of carbon atoms of from 2 to 9, and wherein if at least one F atom is present, the haloalkane sulfonic acid comprises at least one other halogen selected from Cl, Br, and I. Methods of making and using the haloalkane sulfonic acids/salts are also provided.

Abstract: Alkane multi-sulfonic acids and salts thereof are provided. In embodiments, an alkane multi-sulfonic acid or salt thereof comprises an alkyl group and at least two sulfonic acid groups, the alkane multi-sulfonic acid having a total number of carbon atoms of from 2 to 9, wherein the alkane multi-sulfonic acid does not comprise a halogen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas separation membrane comprising a furan-based polymer, an apparatus comprising the gas separation membrane, and a process for separating a mixture of gases using said gas separation membrane. The process comprises contacting one side of a gas separation membrane comprising a furan-based polymer with a mixture of gases having different gas permeances, whereby at least one gas from the mixture of gases permeates preferentially across the gas separation membrane, thereby separating the at least one gas from the mixture of gases.

Abstract: Described herein are separation articles such as, for example, films, membranes and the like separating at least one component from a gaseous mixture comprising two or more components comprising difluoromethane (HFC-32, CH2F2) and pentafluoroethane (HFC-125, C2F5H). The disclosed articles include a “selective layer” that is selectively permeable for the desired component to be separated from the gas mixture. The selective layer is composed of an amorphous fluorinated copolymer. Optionally, the article may include other layers which serve various purposes such as, for example, a porous support layer, a “gutter layer,” which allows the permeate gas to pass from the selective layer to the porous layer with minimal flow impedance, and a protective layer, which protects the selective layer from fouling. Each component of the separation articles described herein and methods for making and using the same are provided below.

Abstract: An alkylation catalyst composition is provided which comprises an acid, an aromatic, and a third component selected from the group consisting of a base capable of forming an ionic liquid with the acid; and an ionic liquid. An alkylation process is also provided which comprises combining the alkylation catalyst composition with a feedstock under conditions to produce an alkylate product for a motor fuel additive. The alkylate product produced by the alkylation process is also provided.

Abstract: Methods for recovering a metal from a metal-containing material are provided. In embodiments, such a method comprises exposing a metal-containing material to a leaching solution comprising a solvent and a binoxalate, a tetraoxalate, or a combination thereof, under conditions to provide a leachate comprising a soluble metal oxalate; inducing precipitation of a metal-containing precipitate comprising the metal of the soluble metal oxalate from the leachate; and recovering the metal-containing precipitate.

Abstract: Provided are processes for producing metal oxides, including pigmentary TiO2. In embodiments, a process for producing a metal oxide comprises combining a metal halide and an oxidant in a liquid phase medium under conditions to oxidize the metal halide in the liquid phase medium to produce a metal oxide therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas separation membrane comprising a furan-based polymer, an apparatus comprising the gas separation membrane, and a process for separating a mixture of gases using said gas separation membrane. The process comprises contacting one side of a gas separation membrane comprising a furan-based polymer with a mixture of gases having different gas permeances, whereby at least one gas from the mixture of gases permeates preferentially across the gas separation membrane, thereby separating the at least one gas from the mixture of gases.

Abstract: Methods for recovering metals from metal-containing materials are provided. The metal-containing material comprises either Co and Li (e.g., an electrode material from a spent lithium ion battery) or Fe and Al (e.g., bauxite). The metal-containing material is exposed to a leaching solution comprising ammonium hydrogen oxalate, oxalic acid, or both, to provide a solid composed of either cobalt oxalate or iron oxalate, and a solution of either lithium oxalate or aluminum oxalate. The solid is processed to provide either cobalt oxide or iron oxide; the solution is processed to provide either a lithium precipitate or an aluminum precipitate, and a filtrate comprising an oxalate; and the filtrate comprising the oxalate is processed to recover ammonium hydrogen oxalate, oxalic acid, or both. The method further comprises repeating the digestion step with the recovered ammonium hydrogen oxalate, the recovered oxalic acid, or both.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas separation membrane comprising a furan-based polymer, an apparatus comprising the gas separation membrane, and a process for separating a mixture of gases using said gas separation membrane. The process comprises contacting one side of a gas separation membrane comprising a furan-based polymer with a mixture of gases having different gas permeances, whereby at least one gas from the mixture of gases permeates preferentially across the gas separation membrane, thereby separating the at least one gas from the mixture of gases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas separation membrane comprising a furan-based polymer, an apparatus comprising the gas separation membrane, and a process for separating a mixture of gases using said gas separation membrane. The process comprises contacting one side of a gas separation membrane comprising a furan-based polymer with a mixture of gases having different gas permeances, whereby at least one gas from the mixture of gases permeates preferentially across the gas separation membrane, thereby separating the at least one gas from the mixture of gases.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparation of carbon fibers based from fibers of poly(?(1?3) glucan). The method comprises three thermal exposures at progressively higher temperatures to drive off volatiles, thermally stabilize the glucan fiber, and carbonize the thermally stabilized fiber. The carbon fibers prepared according to the process hereof are strong, stiff, tough, and easily handled.

Abstract: A method for capturing trifluoromethane from a gaseous mixture in a vent stream from a chlorodifluoromethane manufacturing process using ionic liquids is described. The method is useful for reducing emissions of trifluoromethane, which has a high global warming potential.

Abstract: A method for capturing trifluoromethane from a gaseous mixture in a vent stream from a chlorodifluoromethane manufacturing process is described. In the method, the gaseous mixture is contacted with a molecular sieve, such as a zeolite or activated carbon, having a pore opening of at least about 5 Angstroms and a Sanderson electronegativity of less than or equal to about 2.75. The method is useful for reducing emissions of trifluoromethane, which has a high global warming potential.

Abstract: Foams of ionic compounds are described. Methods of making the foams are also provided. The foams are ionic and can be used for catalysis, separations, gas storage, biosensors, electronics, and electrochemical applications.

Abstract: Mixtures of ammonia and ionic liquids are provided that are suitable for use as absorption cooling fluids in absorption cycles, and ammonia storage.