Abstract: Ceramic articles such as catalyst carriers that include a continuous matrix and a dispersed phase distributed within the matrix as a plurality of discrete regions are disclosed. The matrix and discreet regions have different dye penetration test values. The disclosure also relates to methods of making and characterizing ceramic articles, and to catalyst bodies including the ceramic articles.

Abstract: A process for preparing a silver-containing catalyst for the oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide (EO) including the steps of: providing a support having pores; providing a silver-containing impregnation solution; adding an amount of surfactant to the impregnation solution; contacting the support with the surfactant-containing impregnation solution; and removing at least a portion of the impregnation solution prior to fixing the silver upon the carrier in a manner which preferentially removes impregnation solution not contained in the pores. The use of the surfactant results in improved drainage of the silver impregnation solution from the carrier exteriors during the catalyst synthesis. As a result, the amount of silver-containing impregnation solution necessary for the synthesis of the EO catalyst was reduced by up to 15% without reducing the catalyst performance.

Abstract: The exhaust gas purification catalyst disclosed here is an exhaust gas purification catalyst disposed in the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine to purify nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine, provided with a silver alumina catalyst comprising at least alumina as a catalyst and silver supported on this alumina, wherein, in the silver alumina catalyst, the ratio of the peak intensity at a wave number of 1595 cm?1 to the peak intensity at a wave number of 1613 cm?1 by the pyridine IR method is at least 0.3, and the carried amount of the silver is 1.0 wt % to 6.0 wt % given 100 wt % as the total amount of the silver alumina catalyst.

Abstract: A pre-catalyst composition comprising a) a silica support comprising silica wherein an amount of silica ranges from about 70 wt. % to about 95 wt. % based upon a total weight of the silica support, b) a chromium-containing compound wherein an amount of chromium ranges from about 0.1 wt. % to about 5 wt. % based upon the amount of silica, c) a titanium-containing compound wherein an amount of titanium ranges from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % based upon the amount of silica, d) a carboxylic acid wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to carboxylic acid ranges from about 1:1 to about 1:10, and e) a nitrogen-containing compound with a molecular formula containing at least one nitrogen atom wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to nitrogen-containing compound ranges from about 1:0.5 to about 1:10.

Abstract: A method comprising a) contacting a solvent, a carboxylic acid, and a peroxide-containing compound to form an acidic mixture wherein a weight ratio of solvent to carboxylic acid in the acidic mixture is from about 1:1 to about 100:1; b) contacting a titanium-containing compound and the acidic mixture to form a solubilized titanium mixture wherein an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to carboxylic acid in the solubilized titanium mixture is from about 1:1 to about 1:4 and an equivalent molar ratio of titanium-containing compound to peroxide-containing compound in the solubilized titanium mixture is from about 1:1 to about 1:20; and c) contacting a chromium-silica support comprising from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % water and the solubilized titanium mixture to form an addition product and drying the addition product by heating to a temperature in a range of from about 50° C. to about 150° C. and maintaining the temperature in the range of from about 50° C. to about 150° C.

Abstract: A photosensitive reducible silver ion-containing composition can be used to provide electrically-conductive silver metal in thin films or patterns. This composition comprises: a) a non-hydroxylic-solvent soluble silver complex represented by the following formula (I): (Ag+)a(L)b(P)c?? (I) wherein L represents an ?-oxy carboxylate; P represents a 5- or 6-membered N-heteroaromatic compound; a is 1 or 2; b is 1 or 2; and c is 1, 2, 3, or 4, provided that when a is 1, b is 1, and when a is 2, b is 2; b) optionally, a photosensitizer that can either reduce the reducible silver ion or oxidize the ?-oxy carboxylate; and c) a solvent medium comprising at least one non-hydroxylic solvent. Electrically-conductive silver can be provided by photochemical conversion of the reducible silver ions in the complex.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a second high-efficiency, rhenium-promoted silver catalyst for producing alkylene oxide from an alkylene based on a first catalyst are disclosed and described. In accordance with the disclosed methods, the first and second catalysts include at least one promoter that includes a rhenium promoter. The target catalyst concentrations of one or more promoters of the at least one promoter on the second catalyst are determined based on the values of a catalyst reference property for the two catalysts and the concentration of the one or more promoters of the at least one promoter on the first catalyst. Suitable catalyst reference properties include carrier specific surface area and silver specific surface area. Reaction systems utilizing the first and second catalysts are also described.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a second high-efficiency, rhenium-promoted silver catalyst for producing alkylene oxide from an alkylene based on a first catalyst are disclosed and described. In accordance with the disclosed methods, the first and second catalysts include at least one promoter that includes a rhenium promoter. The target catalyst concentrations of one or more promoters of the at least one promoter on the second catalyst are determined based on the values of a catalyst reference property for the two catalysts and the concentration of the one or more promoters of the at least one promoter on the first catalyst. Suitable catalyst reference properties include carrier specific surface area and silver specific surface area. Reaction systems utilizing the first and second catalysts are also described.

Abstract: A silver-based ethylene oxide catalyst that can be used in the vapor phase conversion of ethylene to ethylene oxide in the presence of oxygen is provided that includes a carrier; a catalytic effective amount of silver; and a promoting amount of at least one promoter, wherein the catalyst has a surface sodium content of 100 ppm or less.

Abstract: A method for producing epoxidation catalysts is provided. The catalyst comprises a support, a catalytic species, maganese and at least one alkali metal and/or promoter. The catalytic species may be silver. The catalyst is prepared by a method wherein at least a portion of the manganese is impregnated in a step separate from the at least one alkali metal and/or promoter. Advantageously, catalysts produced by the present method may exhibit greater efficiencies than catalysts produced by conventional methods. A method for the epoxidation of alkylenes using the catalysts so produced is provided as is a method for using the alkylene oxides for the production of 1,2-diols, 1,2-carbonates, 1,2-diol ethers, or alka-nolamines.

Abstract: Processes for the epoxidation of ethylene are provided in which, following start-up, an epoxidation catalyst is contacted with a feed comprising ethylene, oxygen, carbon dioxide in an amount below 2.0 vol. %, and a chloride moderator to achieve a desired work rate at a first operating temperature T1. The composition of the feed is subsequently adjusted (e.g., by decreasing the ethylene concentration, decreasing the oxygen concentration, increasing the carbon dioxide concentration and/or adjusting the concentration of the chloride moderator) so as to increase the first operating temperature T1 to a second operating temperature T2 while maintaining the desired work rate. As the catalyst activity declines, the composition of the feed is further adjusted so as to maintain the desired work rate at the second operating temperature T2.

Abstract: A composition that comprises a support material that is loaded with an active metal or metal precursor, an amine component, and a non-amine containing polar additive. The composition is useful in the hydroprocessing of hydrocarbon feedstocks. The composition is prepared by incorporating a metal solution into a support material followed by incorporating therein an amine component and a non-amine containing polar additive.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a catalyst useful in the epoxidation of an olefin to an olefin oxide, the catalyst comprising a support having a multimodal pore size distribution comprising a first and a second distribution of pore sizes wherein each distribution of pore sizes possesses a different mean pore size and a different pore size of maximum concentration, the support having a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of rhenium, and cesium in an amount up to, but not exceeding 700 ppm disposed thereon. The invention is also directed to methods for using the catalyst for the commercial production of an olefin oxide from olefin and oxygen-containing feed gases.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous body precursors and shaped porous bodies. Also included are catalysts and other end-use products based upon the shaped porous bodies and thus the porous body precursors. Finally, processes for making these are provided. The porous body precursors comprise a precursor alumina blend capable of enhancing one or more properties of a shaped porous body based thereupon. The need to employ modifiers to achieve a similar result may thus be substantially reduced, or even avoided, and cost savings are thus provided, as well as savings in time and equipment costs.

Abstract: A method of making a metal oxide nanoparticle comprising contacting an aqueous solution of a metal salt with an oxidant. The method is safe, environmentally benign, and uses readily available precursors. The size of the nanoparticles, which can be as small as 1 nm or smaller, can be controlled by selecting appropriate conditions. The method is compatible with biologically derived scaffolds, such as virus particles chosen to bind a desired material. The resulting nanoparticles can be porous and provide advantageous properties as a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for treating a carrier, or a precursor thereof, to at least partly remove impurities from the carrier, or the precursor thereof, comprising: contacting the carrier, or the precursor thereof, with a treatment solution comprising a salt in a concentration of at most 0.05 molar, wherein the salt comprises a cation and an anion, and wherein the cation is selected from ammonium, phosphonium, organic cations and combinations thereof, and wherein the anion is selected from organic anions, inorganic carboxylates, oxyanions of elements from Groups IIIA through VIIA of the Periodic Table of Elements, and combinations thereof; and separating at least part of the treatment solution from the carrier, or the precursor thereof.

Abstract: A supported catalyst for reduction reaction of nitrogen oxides includes a support and an silver (Ag)-based compound and aluminum fluoride which are immobilized in the support. A method for preparing the supported catalyst for reduction reaction of nitrogen oxides includes an impregnation step wherein aluminum fluoride, a hydrate or a salt thereof, and a silver (Ag)-based compound or a hydrate thereof are reacted with a support and a step of calcining the support. Nitrogen oxides in exhaust gas are removed by reacting with a reducing agent, in the presence of the supported catalyst for reduction reaction of nitrogen oxides. Wherein, the supported catalyst has an excellent nitrogen oxide removal efficiency at a practical exhaustion temperature of 270 to 400° C.

Abstract: A silver-based ethylene oxide catalyst that can be used in the vapor phase conversion of ethylene to ethylene oxide in the presence of oxygen is provided that includes a carrier; a catalytic effective amount of silver; and a promoting amount of at least one promoter, wherein the catalyst has a surface sodium content of 100 ppm or less.

Abstract: A porous oxide catalyst includes porous oxide, and an oxygen vacancy-inducing metal which induces an oxygen vacancy in a lattice structure of a porous metal oxide.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst useful for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and oxygen comprising providing a catalyst precursor comprising an inert support having a catalytically effective amount of a silver containing compound, a promoting amount of an alkali metal containing compound, and a promoting amount of a transition metal containing compound disposed thereon; calcining the catalyst precursor to convert the silver in the silver containing compound to metallic silver by heating the catalyst precursor to form a catalyst; and curing the catalyst in an inert gas atmosphere at temperatures of about 250° C. to about 600° C. for a period of about 1 hour to 200 hours.

Abstract: A catalyst composition is provided comprising a homogeneous solid mixture having ordered directionally aligned tubular meso-channel pores having an average diameter in a range of about 1 nanometer to about 15 nanometers, wherein the homogeneous solid mixture is prepared from a gel formed in the presence of a solvent, modifier, an inorganic salt precursor of a catalytic metal, an inorganic precursor of a metal inorganic network, and a templating agent. The templating agent comprises an octylphenol ethoxylate having a structure [I]: wherein “n” is an integer having a value of about 8 to 20.

Abstract: A method of preparing a catalyst composition suitable for removing sulfur from a catalytic reduction system and the catalyst composition prepared by the method are provided. The method of preparation of a catalyst composition, comprises: combining a metal oxide precursor, a catalyst metal precursor and an alkali metal precursor in the presence of a templating agent; hydrolyzing and condensing to form an intermediate product that comprises metal oxide, alkali metal oxide, and catalyst metal; and calcining to form a templated amorphous metal oxide substrate having a plurality of pores wherein the alkali metal oxide and catalyst metal are dispersed in an intermixed form in the metal oxide substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtration structure, for filtering a gas coming from a diesel engine, which is laden with gaseous pollutants of the nitrogen oxide NOx type and with solid particles, of the particulate filter type, said filtration structure being characterized in that it includes a catalytic system comprising at least one noble metal or transition metal suitable for reducing the NOx and a support material, in which said support material comprises or is made of a zirconium oxide partially substituted with a trivalent cation M3+ or with a divalent cation M?2+, said zirconium oxide being in a reduced, oxygen-sub-stoichiometric, state.

Abstract: Silver based ethylene oxide catalysts having enhanced stability are disclosed. The enhanced stability silver based ethylene oxide catalysts include an alumina carrier which has been modified to include cavities on the surface of the carrier. The presence of the cavities on the surface of the modified carrier stops or at least impedes the motion of silver particles on the surface of the carrier during an epoxidation process. In particular, the cavities on the surface of the alumina carrier effectively trap and/or anchor silver particles and prevent them from further motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous body precursors and shaped porous bodies. Also included are catalysts and other end-use products based upon the shaped porous bodies and thus the porous body precursors. Finally, processes for making these are provided. The porous body precursors comprise a precursor alumina blend capable of enhancing one or more properties of a shaped porous body based thereupon. The need to employ modifiers to achieve a similar result may thus be substantially reduced, or even avoided, and cost savings are thus provided, as well as savings in time and equipment costs.

Abstract: A composition includes a templated metal oxide substrate having a plurality of pores and a catalyst material includes silver. The composition under H2 at 30 degrees Celsius, the composition at a wavelength that is in a range of from about 350 nm to about 500 nm has a VIS-UV absorbance intensity that is at least 20 percent less than a standard silver alumina catalyst (Ag STD). The standard alumina is Norton alumina, and which has the same amount of silver by weight.

Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst effective in the oxidative conversion of ethylene to ethylene oxide, the method comprising subjecting a refractory carrier impregnated with a liquid silver-containing solution to a calcination process, wherein the calcination process comprises a solvent removal step in which the silver-impregnated carrier is heated to a base temperature (Tbase) of at least 80° C. and up to about 200° C. to produce a dry carrier impregnated with ionic silver, followed by a silver reduction step in which the dry carrier is gradually heated above the base temperature to a maximum temperature (Tmax) of at least 350° C. and up to about 500° C. and then gradually cooled to the base temperature, wherein the method is conducted such that (Tbase?Tmax)×HW is at least 2000 min.° C. wherein HW is a full width at half maximum of a temperature versus time curve delineated by the silver reduction step.

Abstract: A method for making a catalyst composition suitable for various purposes, such as the reduction of nitrogen oxides, is provided. The method includes combining dawsonite or a dawsonite derivative with a catalytic active element.

Abstract: Described is a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst comprising: a substrate; a first washcoat layer provided on the substrate, the first washcoat layer comprising a nitrogen oxide storage material, a second washcoat layer provided on the first washcoat layer, the second washcoat layer comprising a hydrocarbon trap material, wherein the hydrocarbon trap material comprises substantially no element or compound in a state in which it is capable of catalyzing selective catalytic reduction, preferably wherein the hydrocarbon trap material comprises substantially no element or compound in a state in which it is capable of catalyzing a reaction wherein nitrogen oxide is reduced to N2, said catalyst further comprising a nitrogen oxide conversion material which is either comprised in the second washcoat layer and/or in a washcoat layer provided between the first washcoat layer and the second washcoat layer.

Abstract: There is provided a catalyst for producing ethylene oxide from ethylene which is composed of at least silver (Ag), cesium (Cs), rhenium (Re) and a carrier, and can be improved, in particular, in selectivity. The present invention relates to a catalyst for producing ethylene oxide from ethylene, comprising at least silver (Ag), cesium (Cs), rhenium (Re) and a carrier, said catalyst being produced by optionally pretreating the carrier to support an alkali metal thereon and then supporting Ag, Cs and Re on the carrier, wherein the carrier has a specific surface area of 0.6 to 3.0 m2/g and a weight ratio of a silicon (Si) content to a sodium (Na) content of 2 to 50 in terms of SiO2/Na2O; a content of Re in the catalyst is 170 to 600 ppm per 1 m2/g of the specific surface area of the carrier on the basis of a weight of the carrier; and a molar ratio of Cs to Re in the catalyst is 0.3 to 19.

Abstract: A method for providing a catalyst on a substrate is disclosed comprising providing a first washcoat comprising a soluble washcoat salt species, a polar organic solvent, and an insoluble particulate material, contacting the first washcoat with a substrate to form a coated substrate, and then contacting the coated substrate with a second washcoat comprising an oxide or an oxide-supported catalyst to physisorb, chemisorb, bond, or otherwise adhere the oxide or the oxide-supported catalyst to the coated substrate. Also disclosed is a catalyst on a substrate comprising: a substrate; an anchor layer comprising a soluble washcoat salt species, a polar organic solvent, and an insoluble particulate material; and a second layer comprises an oxide or an oxide-supported catalyst. The catalyst on a substrate can be in either green or fired form.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of supported transition metals with high dispersion. The latter are deposited onto refractory oxides without using a further liquid solvent. Hence, according to this dry procedure no solvent is involved which obviates certain drawbacks connected with wet ion exchange, impregnation or other metal addition processes known in the art.

Abstract: A supported silver catalyst and use thereof in a process for producing an alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide, by the direct oxidation of an alkylene with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, wherein the catalyst provides improved stability and improved resilience to reactor upsets and timely recovery to substantially pre-upset levels of catalyst activity and/or efficiency. In some embodiments, the catalyst also exhibits improved activity. A catalyst capable of producing ethylene oxide at a selectivity of at least 87 percent while achieving a work rate of at least 184 kg/h/m3 at a temperature of no greater than 235° C. when operated in a process where the inlet feed to a reactor containing the catalyst comprises ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, wherein the concentration of carbon dioxide in the inlet feed is greater than or equal to 2 mole percent.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenating highly unsaturated hydrocarbons to less unsaturated hydrocarbons wherein production of saturated hydrocarbons is minimized. The process utilizes catalyst including Ce2O3, MgO, and an inorganic support, and optionally palladium, optionally silver, and/or an optional alkali metal.

Abstract: A catalyst of one or more complex oxides having a nominal composition as set out in formula (1): AxB1-y-zMyPzOn (1) wherein A is selected from one or more group III elements including the lanthanide elements or one or more divalent or monovalent cations; B is selected from one or more elements with atomic number 22 to 24, 40 to 42 and 72 to 75; M is selected from one or more elements with atomic number 25 to 30; P is selected from one or more elements with atomic number 44 to 50 and 76 to 83; x is defined as a number where 0<x?1; y is defined as a number where 0?y<0.5; and z is defined as a number where 0<z<0.2.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a carrier which process comprises incorporating into the carrier at any stage of the carrier preparation a strength-enhancing additive. Also provided is the resultant carrier having incorporated therein a strength-enhancing additive and a catalyst comprising the carrier. Also provided is a process for the epoxidation of an olefin employing the catalyst. Also provided is a method of using the olefin oxide so produced for making a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether or an alkanolamine.

Abstract: An improved carrier for an ethylene epoxidation catalyst is provided. The carrier includes an alumina component containing a first portion of alumina particles having a particle size of, or greater than, 3 ?m and up to 6 ?m, and a second portion of alumina particles having a particle size of, or less than, 2 ?m. An improved catalyst containing the above-described carrier, as well as an improved process for the epoxidation of ethylene using the catalyst are also provided.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a catalyst composition includes a catalytic metal secured to a porous substrate. The substrate has pores that are templated. The substrate is a product of adding a substrate precursor to a water-in-oil microemulsion including a catalytic metal salt, a solvent, a templating agent, and water.

Abstract: A novel olefin production process is provided which can be established as an industrial and practical process capable of producing olefins by directly reacting a ketone and hydrogen in a single reaction step. In particular, a novel olefin production process is provided in which propylene is obtained with high selectivity by directly reacting acetone and hydrogen. The olefin production process according to the present invention includes reacting a ketone and hydrogen in the presence of at least one dehydration catalyst and a silver-containing catalyst, and the at least one dehydration catalyst is selected from metal oxide catalysts containing a Group 6 element, zeolites, aluminas and heteropoly acid salts in which part or all the protons in heteropoly acids are exchanged with metal cations.

Abstract: A process is described for producing a powder batch comprises a plurality of particles, wherein the particles include (a) a first catalytically active component comprising at least one transition metal or a compound thereof; (b) a second component different from said first component and capable of removing oxygen from, or releasing oxygen to, an exhaust gas stream; and (c) a third component different from said first and second components and comprising a refractory support. The process comprises providing a precursor medium comprising a liquid vehicle and a precursor to al least one of said components (a) to (c) and heating droplets of said precursor medium carried in a gas stream to remove at least part of the liquid vehicle and chemically convert said precursor to said at least one component.

Abstract: Provided are improved regenerable SOx trap formulations for on-board vehicle applications. The regenerable sulfur trap formulations reduce the rate of sulfur poisoning of a downstream nitrogen storage reduction (NSR) catalyst trap in exhaust gas cleaning systems for combustion engines by adsorbing SOx as metal sulfate under lean exhaust conditions and desorbing the accumulated SOx under rich exhaust conditions. The regenerable sulfur oxides trap catalyst compositions include a metal (M) oxide, wherein M is selected from Cu, Fe, Mn, Ag, Co and combinations thereof and a metal (M)-La—Zr oxide, wherein M is selected from Cu, Fe, Mn, Ag, Co and combinations thereof. In addition, provided are improved exhaust gas cleaning systems and methods for treating exhaust gas from a combustion source that include a hydrogen generation system, a regenerable sulfur oxides trap, and a regenerable nitrogen storage reduction (NSR) catalyst trap.

Abstract: In a ceramic honeycomb structure, a catalyst material used for burning soot discharged from an internal combustion engine is supported on partition walls that are inner surfaces of cells. For example, a catalyst material to be used for burning carbon includes silver and alumina as components, and the catalyst material has a dumbbell-shaped O—Ag—O structure. Thus, the ceramic honeycomb structure can burn soot at low temperature using the supported catalyst material without corroding the honeycomb structure.

Abstract: A process for treating a carrier, or a precursor thereof, to at least partly remove impurities comprising contacting the carrier, or the precursor thereof, with a treatment solution comprising a salt; a process for preparing a catalyst; the catalyst; a process for preparing an olefin oxide by reacting an olefin with oxygen in the presence of the catalyst; and a process for preparing a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether or an alkanolamine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing coated silver catalysts. The invention further addresses the silver catalysts themselves and the advantageous use thereof in formaldehyde synthesis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst for use in production of carboxylic acid ester by reacting (a) aldehyde and alcohol, or (b) one or more types of alcohols, in the presence of oxygen; wherein oxidized nickel and X (wherein X represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of nickel, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, gold, silver and copper) are loaded onto a support within the range of the atomic ratio of Ni/(Ni+X) of from 0.20 to 0.99.

Abstract: A supported composite particle material comprises: a composite particle formed of an oxidized nickel and X (wherein X represents at least one of elements selected from the group consisting of nickel, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, gold, silver and copper); and a support on which the composite particle is supported, the supported composite particle material having a supported layer in which the composite particle is localized.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for removing mercury from a liquid or gas hydrocarbon stream, mixtures thereof, including mixtures of liquid streams with a solid carbonaceous substance, by contacting the hydrocarbon stream with a composition comprising silver and a support material, wherein the composition as measured by ammonia chemisorption has a surface acidity in the range of 0.1-10.0 ?mole of irreversible NH3/g of the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for producing a catalyst useful for the epoxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide. In forming the catalyst, a silver-impregnated support is subjected to two calcinations. The support is subjected to a first calcination in a first atmosphere comprising air. Next the support is subjected to a second calcination in a second atmosphere which is substantially entirely comprised of inert gas, and which second atmosphere is substantially absent of hydrogen. This two-stage calcination produces an improved catalyst which contains fewer organics left over under standard conditions of air calcination alone, while costing less than calcination in an inert gas alone.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the epoxidation of an olefin, which process comprises reacting a feed comprising an olefin and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a carrier and silver deposited on the carrier, which carrier comprises at least 85 weight percent ?-alumina and has a surface area of at least 1.3 m2/g, a median pore diameter of more than 0.8 ?m, and a pore size distribution wherein at least 80% of the total pore volume is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m and at least 80% of the pore volume contained in the pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.3 to 10 ?m.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether or an alkanolamine comprising converting an olefin oxide, wherein the olefin oxide has been obtained by a process for the epoxidation of an olefin, said process comprising using a catalyst comprising a carrier and silver deposited thereon, wherein the carrier comprises at least 85 weight percent ?-alumina and has a surface area of at least 1.3 m2/g, a median pore diameter of more than 0.8 ?m, and a pore size distribution wherein at least 80% of the total pore is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m, and at least 80% of the pore volume contained in the pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.3 to 10 ?m.