Abstract: A process for preparing a mesoporous silica comprising contacting as starting components (1) a structure-directing template selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated natural vegetable oils, silicone oils, and combinations thereof; (2) water; (3) silica; and, optionally, (4) a structure-directing co-template selected from tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetraethylammonium hydroxide, tetrapropylammonium hydroxide, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride; hexadecyltrimethylammonium hydroxide hydrate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bis-sulfonate, poloxamers having a weight average molecular weight ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 Daltons (Da), and combinations thereof; in the substantial absence of an alcohol solvent; under conditions such that a mesoporous silica having an average pore diameter ranging from 50 to 175 angstroms and a pore diameter distribution that, within one standard deviation of its mean, is

Abstract: Cubic mesoporous silicas having substantially cylindrical morphology may be prepared using a combination of a first structure-directing template, such as tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide; water; a second structure-directing template, such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; a morphology-directing template, such as a poloxamer having a weight average molecular weight ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 Daltons; and a silica source; in the substantial absence of an alcohol solvent. The resulting materials may exhibit a three-dimensional channel structure, a length from 3 to 10 micrometers and a width from 300 nanometers to 10 micrometers, resulting in an aspect ratio from 1 to 300. Further characterization may include a surface area from 1300 to 1500 square meters per gram, an average pore diameter from 20 to 26 angstroms, and an average pore volume ranging from 0.7 to 1.1 cubic centimeters per gram.

Abstract: A composition comprising a mesoporous silica having grafted therewith an ionic liquid to form a mesoporous silica composition offers desirable levels of functionality, sorption, specific surface functionalization, and selectivity for polar gas/non-polar gas and olefin/paraffin separations. One particular embodiment employs silylated 3,3?-(2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl)bis(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium)bis-((trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)amide as the ionic liquid. The mesoporous silica composition may be configured as, for example, a membrane.

Abstract: Cubic mesoporous silicas having substantially cylindrical morphology may be prepared using a combination of a first structure-directing template, such as tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide; water; a second structure-directing template, such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide; a morphology-directing template, such as a poloxamer having a weight average molecular weight ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 Daltons; and a silica source; in the substantial absence of an alcohol solvent. The resulting materials may exhibit a three-dimensional channel structure, a length from 3 to 10 micrometers and a width from 300 nanometers to 10 micrometers, resulting in an aspect ratio from 1 to 300. Further characterization may include a surface area from 1300 to 1500 square meters per gram, an average pore diameter from 20 to 26 angstroms, and an average pore volume ranging from 0.7 to 1.1 cubic centimeters per gram.

Abstract: A process for preparing a mesoporous silica comprising contacting as starting components (1) a structure-directing template selected from the group consisting of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated natural vegetable oils, silicone oils, and combinations thereof; (2) water; (3) silica; and, optionally, (4) a structure-directing co-template selected from tetramethylammonium hydroxide, tetraethylammonium hydroxide, tetrapropylammonium hydroxide, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride; hexadecyltrimethylammonium hydroxide hydrate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bis-sulfonate, poloxamers having a weight average molecular weight ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 Daltons (Da), and combinations thereof; in the substantial absence of an alcohol solvent; under conditions such that a mesoporous silica having an average pore diameter ranging from 50 to 175 angstroms and a pore diameter distribution that, within one standard deviation of its mean, is

Abstract: A composition comprising a mesoporous silica having grafted therewith an ionic liquid to form a mesoporous silica composition offers desirable levels of functionality, sorption, specific surface functionalization, and selectivity for polar gas/non-polar gas and olefin/paraffin separations. One particular embodiment employs silylated 3,3?-(2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl)bis(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium)bis-((trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)amide as the ionic liquid. The mesoporous silica composition may be configured as, for example, a membrane.

Abstract: A heterogeneous catalyst that is a combination of rhodium, zinc, iron, a fourth metal and at least one metal selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals on a catalyst support (e.g. at least one of silica, alumina, titania, magnesia, zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4), magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4), magnesia-modified alumina, zinc oxide-modified alumina, zirconium oxide-modified alumina, and zinc oxide) and use of the catalyst in converting an alkylene to an oxygenate that has one more carbon atom than the alkylene.

Abstract: Convert a mixture of synthesis gas and ethylene to a product stream that contains at least one C3 oxygenate using a supported, heterogeneous catalyst represented by formula RhaAgbSncXdYeOx. In the formula, X is at least one transition element other than rhodium or silver, and Y is at least one element selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.

Abstract: A heterogeneous catalyst that is a combination of rhodium, zinc, iron, a fourth metal and at least one metal selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals on a catalyst support (e.g. at least one of silica, alumina, titania, magnesia, zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4), magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4), magnesia-modified alumina, zinc oxide-modified alumina, zirconium oxide-modified alumina, and zinc oxide) and use of the catalyst in converting an alkylene to an oxygenate that has one more carbon atom than the alkylene.

Abstract: Convert a mixture of synthesis gas and ethylene to a product stream that contains at least one C3 oxygenate using a supported, heterogeneous catalyst represented by formula RhaAgbSncXdYeOx. In the formula, X is at least one transition element other than rhodium or silver, and Y is at least one element selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.