Abstract: A catalyst support consisting mainly of synthetic silica, with 0.5-10 parts by weight of one or more oxides or phosphates of the elements of group IIA, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, VIII, IB, IIB, IIIA, IVA and the lanthanides, wherein the support preparation method comprises mixing particulate synthetic silica with particulate oxides or phosphates of the elements of Groups IIA, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, VIII, IB, IIB, IIIA, IVA and the lanthanides, or with precursors thereof, a forming step and calcinations. The catalyst support is used together with phosphoric acid in the production of alcohols from olefins by hydration.

Abstract: A catalyst support consisting mainly of synthetic silica, with 0.5-10 parts by weight of one or more oxides or phosphates of the elements of group IIA, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, VIII, IB, IIB, IIIA, IVA and the lanthanides characterised in that the support preparation method comprises mixing particulate synthetic silica with particulate oxides or phosphates of the elements of Groups IIA, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, VIII, IB, IIB, IIIA, IVA and the lanthanides, or with precursors thereof, a forming step and calcination. The catalyst support is used together with phosphoric acid in the production of alcohols from olefins by hydration.

Abstract: This invention relats to a continuous process for the hydration of olefins with water in the vapour phase to the corresponding alcohol in the presence of a heteropolyacid salt as catalyst said process including the recycle of un-reacted olefin back to the hydration reaction characterised in that the heteropolyacid salt is a metal salt of silicotungstic acid or phosphotungstic acid which is soluble in a polar solvent below 40.degree. C. wherein the metal in the salt is an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal.