Abstract: Methods for producing lactams from oximes by performing a Beckmann rearrangement using a hierarchical porous aluminophosphate catalyst having interconnected microporous and mesoporous networks are provided. Exemplary catalysts include a plurality of weak Brønsted acid active sites, including silicon-containing aluminophosphates having the IZA framework code AFI, such as SAPO-5, CHA, such as SAPO-34, and FAU, such as SAPO-37.

Abstract: A composition including a caprolactam-derived solvent and a crop protective active ingredient. An emulsifiable concentrate including a caprolactam-derived solvent, an organic co-solvent, an emulsifier, and a crop protective active ingredient is also provided.

Abstract: Methods for producing lactams from oximes by performing a Beckmann rearrangement using a hierarchical porous aluminophosphate catalyst having interconnected microporous and mesoporous networks are provided. Exemplary catalysts include a plurality of weak Brønsted acid active sites, including silicon-containing aluminophosphates having the IZA framework code AFI, such as SAPO-5, CHA, such as SAPO-34, and FAU, such as SAPO-37.

Abstract: Methods for converting an alcohol, such as cyclohexanol to a ketone, such as cyclohexanone, include reacting the alcohol in the presence of a catalyst and oxygen to produce the ketone. In one exemplary embodiment, the catalyst comprises a microporous copper chloropyrophosphate framework including a plurality of noble metal nanoparticles. In one exemplary embodiment, the noble metal nanoparticles include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, and gold.

Abstract: Methods for converting an alcohol, such as cyclohexanol to a ketone, such as cyclohexanone, include reacting the alcohol in the presence of a catalyst and oxygen to produce the ketone. In one exemplary embodiment, the catalyst comprises a microporous copper chloropyrophosphate framework including a plurality of noble metal nanoparticles. In one exemplary embodiment, the noble metal nanoparticles include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, and gold.

Abstract: This present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses for use of a single dividing wall distillation column for phenol fractionation. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses for phenol fractionation by combining crude acetone column and cumene-AMS column into a single dividing wall distillation column. The proper allocation of steam or water injection, chemical treatment reactor and internal liquid phase separator, the positioning of the side draw enables high yield of acetone and phenol.

Abstract: This present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses for use of a single dividing wall distillation column for phenol fractionation. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses for phenol fractionation by combining crude acetone column and cumene-AMS column into a single dividing wall distillation column. The proper allocation of steam or water injection, chemical treatment reactor and internal liquid phase separator, the positioning of the side draw enables high yield of acetone and phenol.

Abstract: Methods for converting an alcohol, such as cyclohexanol to a ketone, such as cyclohexanone, include reacting the alcohol in the presence of a catalyst and oxygen to produce the ketone. In one exemplary embodiment, the catalyst comprises a microporous copper chloropyrophosphate framework including a plurality of noble metal nanoparticles. In one exemplary embodiment, the noble metal nanoparticles include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, and gold.

Abstract: Methods for producing lactams from oximes by performing a Beckmann rearrangement using a hierarchical porous aluminophosphate catalyst having interconnected microporous and mesoporous networks are provided. Exemplary catalysts include a plurality of weak Brønsted acid active sites, including silicon-containing aluminophosphates having the IZA framework code AFI, such as SAPO-5, CHA, such as SAPO-34, and FAU, such as SAPO-37.

Abstract: A method for controlling the production of heavy compounds in the production of alpha-methyl styrene is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a first composition to a distillation column, said first composition comprising acetone, phenol, cumene and alpha-methyl styrene; refining the first composition in the distillation column to produce a second composition comprising at least 1 wt. % alpha-methyl styrene and at least one organic acid, wherein the second composition includes a higher weight percentage of alpha-methyl styrene than the first composition; and adding an amine to the second composition.

Abstract: A method for controlling the production of heavy compounds in the production of alpha-methyl styrene is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a first composition to a distillation column, said first composition comprising acetone, phenol, cumene and alpha-methyl styrene; refining the first composition in the distillation column to produce a second composition comprising at least 1 wt. % alpha-methyl styrene and at least one organic acid, wherein the second composition includes a higher weight percentage of alpha-methyl styrene than the first composition; and adding an amine to the second composition.

Abstract: A method of producing phenol, acetone and alpha-methyl styrene. A mixture of cumene hydroperoxide and dimethylbenzyl alcohol is provided. The mixture is subjected to a first stage reaction in the presence of about 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % water and about 20 to 400 ppm sulfuric acid at a reactor pressure of about 450 to 760 mm Hg, a temperature of about 60 to 85° C., and a residence time of 4 to 45 minutes to produce a composition having an acetone to phenol mole ratio of about 1 to 1.5. The composition is subjected to a second stage reaction in the presence of about 0.5 to 3 wt. % additional water with a second stage reactor temperature of about 110 to 150° C. and a residence time of 0.5 to 30 minutes.

Abstract: Products from the decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) are recovered by distillation. The majority of the undesirable by-product acetol (hydroxyacetone) is removed from the phenol stream by distillation wherein the majority of the acetol is carried with an overheads stream comprising acetone, cumene and alphamethylstyrene (AMS). Acetol is subsequently separated from acetone by distillation wherein acetone is taken as an overheads stream and acetol remains with a bottoms stream comprising cumene, AMS and phenol. The acetol, along with residual phenol, is extracted from the cumene and AMS by counter-current washing with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide. The phenol stream is then distilled to separate phenol from cumene, alphamethylstyrene and higher boiling compounds. The phenol, containing only a small amount of acetol, can then be treated to remove methylbenzofuran by treatment with an acidic resin or solid superacid catalyst without formation of significant amounts of additional methylbenzofuran.

Abstract: An improved method for the recovery of phenol from aqueous streams comprises adding a relatively non-polar solvent to a phenol containing aqueous stream to improve the separation of the phenol form the aqueous stream. The improvement results in a phenol stream with a reduced level of salt carried over from the aqueous stream.

Abstract: A process for treating phenol with a strong acid ion exchange resin to reduce the level of methylbenzofuran is provided. The process is capable of being carried out at elevated temperatures for extended periods, such that cooling of the phenol from distillation temperatures prior to the resin treatment is not required. The process can reduce or eliminate the substantial costs associated with conventional processes that require cooling and re-heating the phenol.

Abstract: A method for purification of acetone containing at least one oxidizable impurity. The method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting acetone containing at least one oxidizable impurity with a heterogeneous oxidation catalyst in the presence of oxygen for a time and at a temperature sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of at least one of the oxidizable impurities; and (b) substantially separating purified acetone from the resulting mixture obtained from step (a).

Abstract: An improved method for production of phenol and acetone by decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide in the presence of an acidic catalyst to phenol and acetone, wherein the improvement comprises neutralization of the acidic catalyst after substantial completion of the decomposition by addition of a substituted amine.

Abstract: Natural gas is stored in a closed vessel under a pressure of about 1400 to 4500 kPa using a carbon molecular sieve adsorbent. The deliverable volume of natural gas from a vessel packed with carbon molecular sieve particles is increased by raising the density of the polymer precursor of the carbon molecular sieve through adjustment of the conditions for suspension polymerization of vinylidene chloride.