Abstract: This invention is directed a process for preparation of a carboxylic acid salt by dehydrogenation of a primary alcohol. The invention is also directed to a catalyst for dehydrogenating primary alcohols. In one embodiment, for example, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) having a copper-containing coating at the surface thereof. In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, cobalt, iron, tin and combinations thereof having a copper-containing coating at the surface thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed a process for preparation of a carboxylic acid salt by dehydrogenation of a primary alcohol. The invention is also directed to a catalyst for dehydrogenating primary alcohols. In one embodiment, for example, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) having a copper-containing coating at the surface thereof. In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, cobalt, iron, tin and combinations thereof having a copper-containing coating at the surface thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed a catalyst for dehydrogenating primary alcohols. In one embodiment, for example, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) having a copper-containing coating at the surface thereof. In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, cobalt, iron, tin and combinations thereof having a copper-containing coating at the surface thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a salt of a carboxylic acid. The process comprises contacting a catalyst with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. In one embodiment, for example, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) having a copper-containing active phase at the surface thereof. The support is resistant to deformation under the conditions of the dehydrogenation reaction. In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal sponge having a copper-containing active phase at the surface thereof and a supporting structure containing at least 10% non-copper metal. This invention is also directed to copper-containing catalysts which may, for example, be used in the above process. This invention is further directed to processes for making such catalysts.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine substrate having the formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl. The process includes a series of reactions comprising a cyanomethylation, a hydrolysis and a dehydrogenation. In a particular embodiment, the iminodiacetic acid produced is disodium iminodiacetic acid and the monoethanolamine substrate used is 2-aminoethanol.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for dehydrogenating primary alcohols to make salts of carboxylic acids. The process comprises contacting a catalyst, preferably a metal support coated with copper or silver, with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. The invention further provides for novel copper-containing and silver-containing catalysts which may be used, for example, in the above process as well as processes for making such catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and useful improvement in the process to manufacture a carboxylic acid salt, particularly an amino carboxylic acid salt, from a primary alcohol, particularly a primary aminoalcohol. The process of manufacturing amino carboxylic acid salts comprises contacting an aqueous solution of a primary aminoalcohol with a strong hydroxide base selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, an ammonium hydroxide compound including a tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxide, or the like, in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst. The catalyst comprises one or more of elements selected from the group consisting of copper, cobalt, nickel, and cadmium as well as optionally lesser amounts of chromium, titanium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, vanadium, molybdenum, manganese, tungsten, cobalt, nickel, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a salt of a carboxylic acid. The process comprises contacting a catalyst with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. In one embodiment, for example, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) coated with copper. The support comprises at least about 10% (by weight) non-copper metal, and the copper-containing coating comprises from about 0.005 to about 0.5 grams of copper (per gram of said metal support). In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) coated with silver. The support comprises at least about 10% (by weight) non-silver metal, and the silver-containing coating comprises from about 0.005 to about 0.5 grams of copper (per gram of said metal support). In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises at least about 15% (by weight) non-copper metal, and at least about 10% (by weight) copper.