Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising titanium incorporated into a silica support, characterized in that the silica support is a shaped extrudate of silica powder. The catalyst composition is useful in the epoxidation of olefins into alkylene oxides using organic hydroperoxides. The composition can be prepared by extruding silica powder into an extrudate having a selected shape; calcining the extrudate; impregnating the extrudate with a titanium-containing impregnating agent; and drying and calcining the impregnated extrudate.

Abstract: Catalyst composition comprising titanium chemically bonded to a silica support, characterised in that the silica support is a shaped extrudate of silica powder. The catalyst composition is very useful in the epoxidation of olefins into alkylene oxides using organic hydroperoxides. The composition can be prepared by a process comprising the steps of: (a) extruding silica powder into an extrudate having a selected shape; (b) calcining the extrudate; (c) impregnating the extrudate with a titanium-containing impregnating agent; and (d) drying and calcining the impregnated extrudate.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a zirconia precursor comprises contacting a solution of an acidic zirconium compound with a solution of a basic zirconium compound to form a gel. A shapable dough may be formed by rendering the zirconia precursor shapable, for example by drying the zirconia precursor or combining the zirconia precursor with a solid filler. The shapable dough may be shaped, for example by extrusion, to form a shaped zirconia precursor, which in turn may be dried and calcined to form shaped zirconia particles. The shapable dough may be prepared so as to comprise a source for a catalytically active component, in which case the shaped zirconia particles may be used directly as a catalyst. A source of a catalytically active component may be deposited on the shaped zirconia particles to yield a finished catalyst.

Abstract: A zirconia-based catalyst is prepared by mulling a mixture of a zirconia source and a solvent, which mixture has a solids content of from 20% by weight to 60% by weight, and extruding the mixture.