Abstract: The invention relates to a method for conversion of methanol, ethanol alone or in combination with n-propanol to the corresponding isoalcohols by contacting a catalyst of a noble metal supported on at least a first phase of mixed oxide crystallites containing from about 60 to about 74 atomic % (on a metals basis only) zirconium, from about 21 to about 31 atomic % manganese and from about 5 to about 9 atomic % zinc, and less than about 1 atomic % alkali, a second phase of zirconium-doped hetaerolite particles containing from about 65 to about 69 atomic % manganese, from about 31 to about 35 atomic % zinc, from about 0.5 to about 5 atomic % zirconium, and optionally a trace atomic % of alkali, and a third phase containing from about 29 to about 55 atomic % manganese, from about 13 to about 55 atomic % zinc and from about 13 to about 35 atomic % zirconium, wherein the first phase mixed oxide crystallites have a zirconium oxide-like structure have a particle size of at least about 40 .ANG. to about 100 .ANG.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of Guerbet alcohols by condensation of aliphatic alcohols in the presence of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxides as catalyst using the Guerbet reaction, in which the initial pressure in the reactor corresponds to the vapor pressure of the alcohol components used and, during the reaction, the pressure is continually reduced to the vapor pressure of the reaction mixture at the particular temperature.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of branched C.sub.4+ oxygenates from lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and mixtures thereof. The process comprises contacting the lower alcohols with a solid catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide support having components selected from the group consisting of oxides of zinc, magnesium, zirconia, titanium, manganese, chromium, and lanthanides, and an activation metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIII metal, Group IB metals, and mixtures thereof. The advantage of the process is improved yields and selectivity to isobutanol which can subsequently be employed in the production of high octane motor gasoline.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an alcohol coupling process in which a vaporized mixture of starting alcohols, preferably methanol and ethanol, is reacted with syngas in the presence of a large pore L zeolite, Y zeolite or large port mordenite, to form at least one alcohol coupling product having a greater number of carbon atoms than all of the starting alcohols. The large pore zeolite preferably has a substantial absence of strongly acidic catalytic sites and the reaction preferably produces the product alcohol in the substantial absence of C.sub.6+ oxygenates.

Abstract: A process is provided in which an alcohol having X carbon atoms is reacted over an L-type zeolite catalyst to produce a higher molecular weight alcohol. In some embodiments, a first alcohol having X carbon atoms is condensed with a second alcohol having Y carbon atoms to produce a branched-chain alcohol having X+Y carbon atoms. Processes for making ethers useful as fuel oxygenates which incorporate the foregoing process steps also are disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyzed, continuous vapor phase process to convert a C.sub.2 or higher olefin in combination with methanol to a mixture containing at least one higher molecular weight alcohol, for example, isobutanol, over a magnesium oxide composition. The process also may contain a lower aldehyde and/or ketone in the feed.

Abstract: A catalyzed, continuous vapor phase process to convert a C.sub.2 or higher alcohol and, optionally, one or more C.sub.1 or higher alcohols, for example methanol and ethanol, to a mixture containing at least one higher molecular weight alcohol, for example, isobutanol, over a catalyst which is essentially magnesium oxide. The process also may have a lower aldehyde and/or ketone in the feed.

Abstract: Condensed dimer alcohols, also known as Guerbet alcohols, are prepared using metal alkoxide as the catalyst by reacting alcohol with saturated or unsaturated aldehyde or allyl alcohol, or mixtures thereof, at 100.degree.-220.degree. C. and removing water as it is formed during the reaction. Dimer alcohols are prepared in high yields without the need for a transition metal catalyst.

Abstract: The process for the production of high molecular weight oxygenates by condensing low molecular weight oxygenates in the presence of CO and a catalyst having the general formula A.sub.a CuM.sub.c X.sub.d O.sub.x. In addition, a novel condensation catalyst comprising A.sub.a CuM.sub.c Bi.sub.d O.sub.x is disclosed for use in this process.

Abstract: The process for the production of high molecular weight oxygenates by condensing low molecular weight oxygenates in the presence of CO and a catalyst having the general formula A.sub.a CuM.sub.c X.sub.d O.sub.x. In addition, a novel condensation catalyst comprising A.sub.a CuM.sub.c Bi.sub.d O.sub.x is disclosed for use in this process.

Abstract: A process is provided for the upgrading of lower alcohols to higher molecular weight alcohols by contacting the lower alcohol with a reaction promoter composition selected from alkali metal acetylides, Group IB metal acetylides, acetylides of the naturally occurring lanthanide and actinide series metals, rare earth metal hydrides, alkaline earth metal hydrides and alkoxides and alkali metal alkoxides.

Abstract: A Guerbert alcohol is effectively and selectively obtained by heating a primary alcohol in the presence of an alkaline substance and a copper-nickel catalyst in which a weight ratio of copper to nickel is in the range of from 1:9 to 9:1.