Abstract: Process for the preparation of a polar lubricating base oil, including reacting a hydrocarbonaceous product with a polar compound, including at least one heteroatom and which hydrocarbonaceous product has been prepared by contacting hydrocarbons and/or derivatives thereof with an active-hydrogen containing system by a process which includes generating a hydrogen-containing plasma and allowing contact of the hydrocarbons and/or derivatives thereof in liquid form with the plasma-generated system and recovering the hydrocarbonaceous product.

Abstract: Dehydrogenation catalyst, wherein the molar ratio between iron oxide providing agent and potassium oxide providing agent calculated as iron: potassium atomic ratio is in the range of from 1.5 to 60, a K.sub.2 Fe.sub.12 O.sub.19 phase is present in an octahedral Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 matrix, showing crystalline epitaxy between the hexagonal structure of K.sub.2 Fe.sub.12 O.sub.19 and the (111) planes of the Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 spinel structure, and showing intense X-ray diffraction peaks in the area of from d=12.4 .ANG. to d=1.60 .ANG..Process for the preparation of such catalyst and process for dehydrogenation of optionally substituted alkanes into olefins.

Abstract: 1 to 25% by weight of an alkali metal compound, calculated as stable alkali metal oxide,0.5 to 20% by weight of a rare earth metal compound, calculated as the oxide,0.5 to 10% by weight of a calcium compound, calculated as CaO,0.5 to 10% by weight of a germanium-, tin- and/or lead compound, calculated as the dioxide, and35 to 97.5% by weight of an iron compound, calculated as Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: Alkenylbenzenes, e.g. styrene, are prepared by non-oxidative dehydrogenation of alkylbenzenes at elevated temperature in the presence of steam and a novel catalyst comprising iron oxide and, as promoters, an alkali metal compound, .ltoreq.10% wt of a compound of a rare earth metal and a calcium compound (not a hydraulic cement) and <1.4% wt of a molybdenum compound.