Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. The method includes processing the acetylene to form a hydrocarbon stream having vinyl chloride. The hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream is be treated to convert acetylene to other hydrocarbon processes. The method according to certain aspects includes controlling the level of carbon monoxide in the hydrocarbon stream to limit downstream side reactions in the downstream processing units.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and catalyst composition for carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds, comprising the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst composition comprising an effective amount of at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal source, an effective amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts comprising at least one Group 4 metal source and at least one Group 11 metal source, an effective amount of at least one salt co-catalyst with an anion selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, benzoate, acetate, sulfate, and nitrate, wherein the carbonylation catalyst composition is free of a halide source.

Abstract: 1,2-Dichloroethane is prepared by reacting ethylene, hydrogen chloride and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a copper-containing catalyst by a process in which first hydrogen chloride and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas are reacted in the presence of the catalyst, then ethylene is added, and the mixture is reacted in the presence of the said catalyst.

Abstract: An improved process for the removal of acetylene from a hydrogen chloride stream in which the acetylene is converted to vinyl chloride by contact with a hydrochlorination catalyst, the improvement comprising, prior to contacting the stream with the hydrochlorination catalyst, contacting said stream with a catalyst comprising a noble metal, preferably of the platinum group, or salt or oxide thereof, supported or unsupported, at a temperature of between about 50.degree. and about 200.degree. C. and a pressure between about 8 and about 20 bar absolute.