Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of epoxidizing an olefin to form an epoxide, the method comprising contacting an alkene(C?12) or aralkene(C?12) with a titanium silica catalyst, a peroxide, a buffer, and one or more organic solvents in a reaction mixture, wherein the one or more organic solvents comprise a first organic solvent selected from: R1—OH??(I), R2—CN??(II), R3—C(O)—R4??(III) or R5—O—R6??(IV) wherein: R1 is alkyl(C?12), aryl(C?12), aralkyl(C?12) or a substituted version of any of these groups; R2 is alkyl(C?12), aryl(C?12), aralkyl(C?12) or a substituted version of any of these groups; R3 is hydrogen, alkyl(C?6) or substituted alkyl(C?6); and R4, R5, and R6 are each independently selected from alkyl(C?12), aryl(C?12), aralkyl(C?12) or a substituted version of any of these groups, or are taken together are alkoxydiyl(C?12), alkanediyl(C?12), substituted alkoxydiyl(C?12) or substituted alkanediyl(C?12).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of preparing propylene oxide comprising the steps: (a) oxidizing alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol with air to form a first reaction mixture comprising hydrogen peroxide and acetophenone; (b) reacting propylene with the first reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst to form a second reaction mixture comprising propylene oxide; (c) separating the propylene oxide from the second reaction mixture to form a third reaction mixture; (d) heating the third reaction mixture to decompose hydrogen peroxide, whereby a fourth reaction mixture is formed; (e) hydrogenating the acetophenone in the fourth reaction mixture with hydrogen to form a fifth reaction mixture comprising alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol; and (f) separating alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol from the fifth reaction mixture and returning the methyl benzyl alcohol to step (a).

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a silica-titanium catalyst prepared by first reacting a solid support with a metal alkoxide and then depositing titanium onto the solid support for the epoxidation of alkenes and aralkenes and a method of preparing the catalyst thereof. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to methods of using the catalyst described herein for the production of epoxides.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of preparing propylene oxide comprising the steps: (a) oxidizing alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol with air to form a first reaction mixture comprising hydrogen peroxide and acetophenone; (b) reacting propylene with the first reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst to form a second reaction mixture comprising propylene oxide; (c) separating the propylene oxide from the second reaction mixture to form a third reaction mixture; (d) heating the third reaction mixture to decompose hydrogen peroxide, whereby a fourth reaction mixture is formed; (e) hydrogenating the acetophenone in the fourth reaction mixture with hydrogen to form a fifth reaction mixture comprising alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol; and (f) separating alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol from the fifth reaction mixture and returning the methyl benzyl alcohol to step (a).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of epoxidizing an olefin to form an epoxide, the method comprising contacting an alkene(C?12) or aralkene(C?12) with a titanium silica catalyst, a peroxide, a buffer, and one or more organic solvents in a reaction mixture, wherein the one or more organic solvents comprise a first organic solvent selected from: R1—OH??(I), R2—CN??(II), R3—C(O)—R4??(III) or R5—O—R6??(IV) wherein: R1 is alkyl(C?12), aryl(C?12), aralkyl(C?12) or a substituted version of any of these groups; R2 is alkyl(C?12), aryl(C?12), aralkyl(C?12) or a substituted version of any of these groups; R3 is hydrogen, alkyl(C?6) or substituted alkyl(C?6); and R4, R5, and R6 are each independently selected from alkyl(C?12), aryl(C?12), aralkyl(C?12) or a substituted version of any of these groups, or are taken together are alkoxydiyl(C?12), alkanediyl(C?12), substituted alkoxydiyl(C?12) or substituted alkanediyl(C?12).

Abstract: A method of preparing epoxidation catalysts is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) adding an inorganic siliceous solid to a column to produce a solid-filled column; (b) adding to the solid-filled column a solution comprising titanium tetrachloride and a hydrocarbon solvent to produce a titanium tetrachloride-impregnated solid; and (c) calcining the titanium tetrachloride-impregnated solid at a temperature from 500° C. to 1000° C. to produce the catalyst. The inorganic siliceous solid has a pore volume of at least 0.8 cm3/g.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a silica-titanium catalyst prepared by first reacting a solid support with a metal alkoxide and then depositing titanium onto the solid support for the epoxidation of alkenes and aralkenes and a method of preparing the catalyst thereof. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to methods of using the catalyst described herein for the production of epoxides.

Abstract: A method of preparing epoxidation catalysts is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) adding an inorganic siliceous solid to a column to produce a solid-filled column; (b) adding to the solid-filled column a solution comprising titanium tetrachloride and a hydrocarbon solvent to produce a titanium tetrachloride-impregnated solid; and (c) calcining the titanium tetrachloride-impregnated solid at a temperature from 500° C. to 1000° C. to produce the catalyst. The inorganic siliceous solid has a pore volume of at least 0.8 cm3/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a crude acetone stream. The method generally includes treating a crude acetone stream which has acetone and at least one low-boiling impurity with a catalyst to form a treated acetone stream that has acetone and at least one higher-boiling impurity and then distilling the treated acetone stream to remove at least a portion of the higher-boiling impurity to produce a purified acetone stream. This is particularly helpful in processes where a more pure acetone is desired, including a process for making purified isopropanol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a crude acetone stream. The method generally includes treating a crude acetone stream which has acetone and at least one low-boiling impurity with a catalyst to form a treated acetone stream that has acetone and at least one higher-boiling impurity and then distilling the treated acetone stream to remove at least a portion of the higher-boiling impurity to produce a purified acetone stream. This is particularly helpful in processes where a more pure acetone is desired, including a process for making purified isopropanol.

Abstract: The invention is a process for epoxidizing an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in a solvent comprising acetonitrile in the presence of an quinone-acid salt and a catalyst comprising a titanium zeolite and a noble metal. The process results in higher productivity and improved selectivity to propylene oxide from hydrogen and oxygen, as compared to processes that use only a quinone.

Abstract: The invention is a process for epoxidizing an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in a solvent comprising acetonitrile in the presence of an quinone-acid salt and a catalyst comprising a titanium zeolite and a noble metal. The process results in higher productivity and improved selectivity to propylene oxide from hydrogen and oxygen, as compared to processes that use only a quinone.

Abstract: A catalyst, useful for the direct epoxidation of olefins, is disclosed. The catalyst comprises palladium nanoparticles, support nanoparticles, and a titanium zeolite having a particle size of 2 microns or greater. The palladium nanoparticles are deposited on the support nanoparticles to form supported palladium nanoparticles, and the supported palladium nanoparticles are deposited on the titanium zeolite; or the supported palladium nanoparticles are deposited on a carrier having a particle size of 2 microns or greater. The invention also includes a process for producing an epoxide comprising reacting an olefin, hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of the catalyst. The catalysts are more active in epoxidation reactions, while demonstrating the same or better selectivity.

Abstract: A catalyst, useful for the direct epoxidation of olefins, is disclosed. The catalyst comprises palladium nanoparticles, support nanoparticles, and a titanium zeolite having a particle size of 2 microns or greater. The palladium nanoparticles are deposited on the support nanoparticles to form supported palladium nanoparticles, and the supported palladium nanoparticles are deposited on the titanium zeolite; or the supported palladium nanoparticles are deposited on a carrier having a particle size of 2 microns or greater. The invention also includes a process for producing an epoxide comprising reacting an olefin, hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of the catalyst. The catalysts are more active in epoxidation reactions, while demonstrating the same or better selectivity.

Abstract: The invention is a process for epoxidizing an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in a solvent comprising tertiary butyl alcohol or acetonitrile in the presence of an amide modifier and a catalyst comprising titanium-MWW zeolite and a noble metal. The process produces less ring-opened products such as glycols and glycol ethers when performed in the presence of the amide, while maintaining low alkane byproduct formed by the hydrogenation of olefin.

Abstract: A supported catalyst and a catalyst mixture, useful for the direct epoxidation of olefins, are disclosed. The supported catalyst comprises a noble metal, lead, and a carrier that has been treated by contacting with nitric acid. The catalyst mixture comprises a titanium or vanadium zeolite and the supported catalyst. The invention also includes a process for producing an epoxide comprising reacting an olefin, hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of the catalyst mixture. The process results in significantly reduced alkane byproduct formed by the hydrogenation of olefin.

Abstract: An attrition-resistant catalyst is prepared contacting a spray dried zeolite with a modifying agent. The modifying agent is (i) a halogen-free compound hydrolyzable to an oxide selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, titania, zirconia, niobia, and mixtures thereof; or (ii) a sol selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, titania, zirconia, niobia, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A supported catalyst and a catalyst mixture, useful for the direct epoxidation of olefins, are disclosed. The supported catalyst comprises a noble metal, lead, and a carrier that has been treated by contacting with nitric acid. The catalyst mixture comprises a titanium or vanadium zeolite and the supported catalyst. The invention also includes a process for producing an epoxide comprising reacting an olefin, hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of the catalyst mixture. The process results in significantly reduced alkane byproduct formed by the hydrogenation of olefin.

Abstract: Polymer-encapsulated ion-exchange resins are disclosed. The resins are useful in adsorption, catalysis, and other applications. Catalysts comprising a polymer-encapsulated combination of an ion-exchange resin and a transition metal are also disclosed. The catalysts are useful in hydrogenation, oxidation, hydroformylation, polymerization, and other valuable processes. Certain of the polymer-encapsulated catalysts enhance the productivity in the process for producing hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: The invention is a process for epoxidizing an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst mixture containing a titanium or vanadium zeolite and a supported catalyst comprising palladium, gold, and an inorganic oxide carrier. Prior to its use in the epoxidation process, the supported catalyst is calcined in the presence of oxygen at a temperature from 450 to 800° C. and reduced in the presence of hydrogen at a temperature greater than 20° C. The process results in significantly reduced alkane byproduct formed by the hydrogenation of olefin.