Abstract: A reduced metallic catalyst or pre-activated catalyst is formed by contacting a precursor catalyst or a reduced metallic catalyst with a modifier solution in the presence of a source of hydrogen and heat treating the precursor catalyst or the reduced metallic catalyst at super-atmospheric pressure to obtain the reduced metallic catalyst from the precursor catalyst or the pre-activated catalyst from the reduced metallic catalyst. A method of hydrogenating a hydrogenatable precursor includes providing a reduced metallic catalyst or the pre-activated catalyst prepared with modifier buffer and contacting the reduced metallic catalyst or pre-activated catalyst with the hydrogenatable precursor in the presence of hydrogen and, optionally, in the presence of a modifier solution.

Abstract: An L-type zeolite, a modified L-type zeolite, or any combination thereof may be useful in catalytically preparing ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acids and/or esters thereof through reaction pathways that include dehydroxylation reactions and optionally esterification reactions. In some reaction pathways, dehydroxylation reactions and esterification reactions may be performed sequentially or concurrently.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing 2-pyrrolidone (also called 2-pyrrolidinone) and N-methylpyrrolidone (also called N-methylpyrrolidinone) from diammonium succinate in fermentation broth. In the first stage of this invention, renewable carbon resources are utilized to produce diammonium succinate through biological fermentation. In the second stage of this present invention, diammonium succinate is converted into 2-pyrrolidone and N-methylpyrrolidone through a two step reaction. Both the steps of the reaction leading to the production of 2-pyrrolidone and N-methylpyrrolidone are carried out in a solvent phase to prevent the loss of succinimide through hydrolysis.

Abstract: Processes for oxidation of primary alcohols or aldehydes into the corresponding carboxylic acids are provided herein, including processes for the aerobic catalytic oxidation of a hydroxyl moiety pendant to a cyclic carbohydrate to a carboxylic acid in a manner that preserves the cyclic carbohydrate structure. The oxidation processes may be performed in the absence of a transition metal catalyst, halogenated solvent and a hypochlorite reagent. The processes and compositions with and without a bromide source are provided. A liquid reaction media comprising a carboxylic acid and a catalyst composition may be combined with the reactant alcohol substrate to form a reaction media which can be pressurized at constant volume with an oxygen-containing gas under conditions of temperature and constant pressure within a reaction vessel to selectively oxidize the reactant substrate to form a carboxylic acid product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of oxidation of alcohols selectively to aldehydes or ketones with molecular oxygen using a TEMPO based catalyst, Fe-bipyridyl or Fe-phenantroline co-catalyst and N-bromosuccinimide promoter in acetic acid solvent. The oxidation takes places at high rates and high aldehyde selectivity at temperatures in the range 45-50° C. and oxygen or air pressures of 0-15 psi. The alcohol conversion of 95-100% and aldehyde selectivity higher than 95% are achieved over 3-4 hours reaction time. Aldehydes such as 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanal can be produced efficiently using the present invention.

Abstract: A process for the production of 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde is disclosed. The 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde is obtained by the reduction of 3,3-dimethylbutyric acid using trimethylacetic anhydride and a phosphine. The 3,3-dimethylbutyric acid is preferably obtained by a process in which tert-butanol and vinylidene chloride are reacted in the presence of sulfuric acid. The disclosed process has improved cost and yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of oxidation of alcohols selectively to aldehydes or ketones with NaOCl using a TEMPO—borate catalyst system. It is shown that the oxidation can be efficiently carried out without KBr additives under solvent free conditions. Aldehydes such as 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde can be produced efficiently using the present invention.

Abstract: A process for the production of 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde is disclosed. The 3,3-dimethylbutyraldehyde is obtained by the reduction of 3,3-dimethylbutyric acid using trimethylacetic anhydride and a phosphine. The 3,3-dimethylbutyric acid is preferably obtained by a process in which tert-butanol and vinylidene chloride are reacted in the presence of sulfuric acid. The disclosed process has improved cost and yield.

Abstract: A supported catalyst comprising a support, an anchoring agent such as an isopoly-oxymetal anion or oxometal salt thereof, and a metal complex which is useful in a wide variety on organic reactions, especially the hydrogenation of substituted .alpha.,.beta. unsaturated acids and esters, is provided. Various methods of preparing the supported catalyst of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A supported catalyst comprising a support, an anchoring agent such as a heteropoly acid or anion, and a metal complex which is useful in a wide variety on organic reactions, especially the hydrogenation of substituted .alpha., .beta. unsaturated acids and esters, is provided. Various methods of preparing the supported catalyst of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A supported catalyst comprising a support, an anchoring agent such as a heteropoly acid or anion, and a metal complex which is useful in a wide variety on organic reactions, especially the hydrogenation of substituted .alpha.,.beta. unsaturated acids and esters, is provided. Various methods of preparing the supported catalyst of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are improved catalyst compositions for use in oxidizing carbon monoxide and methods of preparing these catalysts. The catalyst compositions are particularly useful at ambient temperatures. The catalyst compositions, prepared by a coprecipitation method, comprise an oxide of cobalt as the principal component with one or more metals selected from the group consisting of manganese (Mn), aluminum (Al), bismuth (Bi), cerium (Ce), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lanthanum (La), magnesium (Mg), titanium (Ti), zinc (Zn), and zirconium (Zr).

Abstract: An improved technique is provided for the expeditious formation of a supported catalyst suitable for use in a vapor phase chemical reaction wherein the catalyst is provided as discrete particles. The support need not be capable of withstanding a highly elevated temperature, and may simply be paper or any other readily available material. A layer of deformable adhesive (preferably an organic adhesive) is provided as a liquid or paste on the surface of the support. Particles of a preformed activated catalyst are dispersed on the outer surface of the adhesive so that only a minor portion of the surfaces of the particles is embedded therein. Next the adhesive is solidified under appropriate conditions while maintaining the exposure of a major portion of the surfaces of the solid preformed catalytic particles to the atmosphere. Throughout the formation process the catalytic activity of the exposed surfaces of the catalytic particles remains substantially unaltered.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved catalysts for the oxidation of carbon monoxide and methods of preparing these catalysts. The catalysts of this invention are prepared using a sequential precipitation process which generates catalysts that contain substantially layered metal oxides, both supported and unsupported, and, in some embodiments of the invention, a noble metal or mixture of noble metals layered on the metal oxides. These catalysts are particularly useful in smoking articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow liquid-phase chemical reaction system in which a high pressure reservoir unit holds a solvent solution which contains an organic reactant and a gas reactant. The quantity of gas reactant dissolved in the solvent solution is determined by the level of gas reactant vapor pressure in the reservoir unit. The solvent solution is passed through a solid catalyst reactor unit to achieve a selective reaction between the two reactant components of the solvent solution.

Abstract: This invention provides a multipurpose volumetric chemical reaction system which operates at constant pressure and volume, and has electronic automation means for calculating kinetic parameters and a concentration-time plot from the system data output.The automated system is adapted to conduct and monitor either gas-consuming or gas-generating reactions. Gas input or gas venting is accomplished in timed constant volume pulses.

Abstract: This invention provides process embodiments for acyloxylation of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylaromatic compounds to produce alpha-acyloxy C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl-substituted aromatic compounds, utilizing a palladium-tin catalyst which exhibits efficient oxidation selectivity and oxidation rate stability.Toluene is acetoxylated to benzyl acetate and benzylidene diacetate.

Abstract: This invention provides process embodiments for acyloxylation of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylaromatic compounds to produce alpha-acyloxy C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl-substituted aromatic compounds, utilizing a palladium-tin catalyst which exhibits efficient oxidation selectivity and oxidation rate stability.Toluene is acetoxylated to benzyl acetate and benzylidene diacetate.