Abstract: An olefin epoxidation process is described. The process comprises epoxidizing an olefin with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a modified titanium zeolite catalyst in water solvent. The titanium zeolite catalyst is modified with a platinum, palladium or copper compound. The modified catalyst unexpectedly increases olefin epoxidation activity.

Abstract: Propylene is oxidized to propylene oxide in the vapor phase using an oxygen-containing gas and a supported silver catalyst comprising silver and a support comprised in whole or in substantial part of certain alkaline earth metal compounds. The alkaline earth metal compound may, for example, be a calcium compound such as calcium titanate, tribasic calcium phosphate, calcium molybdate, or calcium fluoride, a magnesium compound such as magnesium aluminate, or a strontium compound such as strontium titanate. Such supports provide significantly higher selectivity to the desired epoxide than would be expected from the performance of related materials. Propylene oxide selectivity may be further enhanced through the introduction of nitrogen oxide species such as NO, alkyl halides such as ethyl chloride, and carbon dioxide into the oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: An integrated process is provided for the production of propylene oxide from propane wherein propane is dehydrogenated to propylene and hydrogen and the resulting propylene, propane, and hydrogen mixture together with added oxygen is reacted over a palladium on titanium silicilite catalyst to form propylene oxide, the molar ratio of oxygen to hydrogen in the reaction feed being at least about 2/1.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenating aqueous mixtures of 4-hydroxybutanal and 3-hydroxy-2-methylpropanal is disclosed. The process uses a metallic Pt--Ru catalyst supported on .gamma.-alumina. The process gives improved yields of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol while minimizing the formation of unwanted by-products such as isobutyl alcohol and tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: A propylene epoxidation process wherein a supported silver catalyst is utilized may be operated at high efficiency even in the absence of any organic chloride in the feedstream, provided the catalyst is first contacted at an elevated temperature with a treatment stream comprised of an organic chloride and molecular oxygen.

Abstract: Propylene is oxidized to propylene oxide in the vapor phase using an oxygen-containing gas and a supported silver catalyst comprising silver and a support comprised in whole or in substantial part of certain alkaline earth metal compounds. The alkaline earth metal compound may, for example, be a calcium compound such as calcium titanate, tribasic calcium phosphate, calcium molybdate, or calcium fluoride, a magnesium compound such as magnesium aluminate, or a strontium compound such as strontium titanate. Such supports provide significantly higher selectivity to the desired epoxide than would be expected from the performance of related materials. Propylene oxide selectivity may be further enhanced through the introduction of nitrogen oxide species such as NO, alkyl halides such as ethyl chloride, and carbon dioxide into the oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: Propylene is oxidized to propylene oxide in the vapor phase using oxygen and a supported catalyst comprising silver, gold, a potassium promoter such as potassium nitrate or potassium carbonate and a support comprised in whole or in substantial part of an alkaline earth metal carbonate.

Abstract: Oxirane compounds are formed by vapor phase catalytic molecular oxygen oxidation of a C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 olefin using a silver catalyst, and the selectivity to the oxirane product is enhanced by preconditioning the catalyst by contact with the olefin at elevated temperature in the absence of oxygen; oxygen is periodically pulsed to the reaction.

Abstract: Propylene is converted to propylene oxide in a vapor phase oxidation process employing a silver catalyst supported on an alkaline earth metal carbonate and containing both a potassium salt such as potassium nitrate and a molybdenum promoter. The potassium salt and the molybdenum promoter may be simultaneously supplied by the use of a potassium salt of a molybdenum oxyanion. The efficiency of the process is greatly enhanced through the simultaneous inclusion of carbon dioxide and an organic halide in the feedstream. The feedstream need not contain a nitrogen oxide species such as NO to attain high propylene oxide selectivity.

Abstract: Propylene is converted to propylene oxide in a vapor phase oxidation process employing a silver catalyst supported on an alkaline earth metal carbonate and containing both a potassium salt such as potassium nitrate and a molybdenum promoter. The potassium salt and the molybdenum promoter may be simultaneously supplied by the use of a potassium salt of a molybdenum oxyanion. The efficiency of the process is greatly enhanced through the simultaneous inclusion of carbon dioxide and an organic halide in the feedstream. The feedstream need not contain a nitrogen oxide species such as NO to attain high propylene oxide selectivity.

Abstract: Olefins are selectively converted to epoxides by reacting with an organic hydroperoxide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprised of a carbon molecular sieve containing a Group IVA, VA, VIA, or VIIA transition metal such as molybdenum.

Abstract: An improved allyl alcohol hydroformylation process and catalyst are disclosed. The process uses a catalyst system comprising a Group VIII metal carbonyl complex catalyst, a trisubstituted phosphine, a neutral Group VIII(a) metal complex cocatalyst, and optionally, a diphosphinoalkane. The process uniquely gives an enhanced linear:branched aldehyde product ratio.

Abstract: An improved allyl alcohol hydroformylation process and catalyst are disclosed. The process uses a catalyst system comprising a Group VIII metal carbonyl complex catalyst, a trisubstituted phosphine, a neutral Group VIII(a) metal complex cocatalyst, and optionally, a diphosphinoalkane. The process uniquely gives an enhanced linear:branched aldehyde product ratio.

Abstract: Supports for catalytic reforming catalysts are prepared by doping ZrO.sub.2 with tantalum. The catalyst may contain a Group VII or Group VIII metal and/or an acidic component.

Abstract: A process for recovering a Group VIII metal from an organic solution is disclosed. The organic solution is contacted with an acidic ion exchange resin that has sulfonic acid active groups. The invention provides an effective and economical way to recover valuable transition metals from dilute organic solutions.

Abstract: A process for producing tetrahydrofuran polymers having a narrow molecular weight distribution is disclosed. Tetrahydrofuran is polymerized in the presence of a carboxylic acid anhydride and amorphous silica-alumina. The process overcomes the need for costly post-treatment techniques such as distillation and selective solvent extraction.

Abstract: A process for producing tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-butanediol, and 2-methyl-1,3,-propanediol is disclosed. A mixture containing 4-hydroxybutanal and 3-hydroxy-2-methylpropanal is hydrogenated in the presence of a transition metal supported on a weakly acidic ion-exchange resin or zeolite-type material to give tetrahydrofuran as the major product, and 1,4-butanediol and 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol as minor products. High yields of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol can be obtained.