Abstract: Alkenes are prepared by partial hydrogenation of alkynes in the liquid phase at from 20 to 250° C. and hydrogen partial pressures of from 0.

Abstract: A hydrogenation catalyst which is sulfur tolerant and which includes from about 0.1 to about 1 percent platinum by weight and from 0.2 to about 2 percent by weight palladium on a predominantly theta alumina carrier. Also disclosed is a process for the manufacture and use of the hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst useful for conducting carbon monoxide hydrogenation reactions, particularly Fischer-Tropsch reactions; the catalyst compositions, use of the catalyst compositions for conducting such reactions, and the products of these reactions. The steps of the process for producing the catalyst comprise mixing together in solution (a) a compound, or salt of a Group VIII metal, e.g., Co(NO3)2; (b) a compound, or salt of magnesium, e.g., Mg(NO3)2; (c) a refractory inorganic oxide, e.g., kieselguhr; and (d) an ammonium or alkali metal salt precipitating agent, e.g., Na2CO3, to produce a precipitated solids mass, or catalyst precursor, shaping and then reducing the precipitated solids mass, or catalyst precursor, to form a catalyst. In the preparation a solution of (a)+(b) can be added to a solution of (c) and (d) and precipitated as a particulate solids mass.

Abstract: Hydrogenation catalysts based on palladium, platinum or rhodium comprising at least one other metal M which are deposited on zirconium oxide and silicon oxide supports. Process for the manufacture of these catalysts by successive impregnation of the support using palladium, platinum or rhodium and using another metal M. Use of these catalysts in hydrogenation reactions and in particular in preparing hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Pillared trioctahedral micas and/or vermiculites are prepared. The process includes a conditioning operation for the partial reduction of the layer charge through an accelerated weathering process, and also includes a pillaring operation.

Abstract: A catalytic composition effective in the selective hydrogenation of olefinic double bonds, comprising the reaction product between: (A) at least one complex of a transition metal having the following general formula (I): M(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4)  (I)  wherein: M is selected from titanium and zirconium, preferably titanium; each of the radicals R1, R2, R3 or R4, independently, represents an organic or inorganic group of an anionic nature &sgr;-bound to M, on the condition that at least one, and preferablyat at least two, of these radicals is an organic group; and (B) at least one organometallic compound of magnesium having the following formula (II): Mg(R5)n(R6)(2−n)  (II)  wherein: R5 or R6 each independently represent an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and “n” is a decimal number between 0 and 2.0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of producing a highly oxidatively stable polyalphaolefin by hydrogenating a polyalphaolefin to greatly decrease its level of unsaturation.

Abstract: A process for separating at least two liquid phases which are at least partially non miscible is characterized in that after reacting, a polyphase effluent is settled in at least two distinct settling zones arranged in parallel, each of these settling zones containing at least one settler. The feed to be treated is sent to reactor R via a means for circulating fluids P via line 1. The effluent leaves the reactor via line 2 and is separated into two fractions. One fraction is sent to a settling zone a) via line 3; the other fraction is sent to a settling zone b) via line 4. The heavy phase from settling zone a) is sent to the reactor via line 7 and the heavy phase of the settling zone b) is sent to the reactor via line 6. The light phase from settling zone a) is sent to line 8, and rejoins fresh feed supply line 1. The light phase from settling zone b) is evacuated from the circuit via line 5.

Abstract: A process is provided for the selective hydrogenation of at least one organic compound having at least one unsaturated group, by bringing the at least one organic compound into contact with a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises an active material which is applied to a solid electrolyte to which, in turn, a metallic substrate is connected in such a way that a current flows through the solid electrolyte, so that the active material can be kept at a constant potential and a voltage is applied to

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for providing improved contaminant removal and hydrogen recovery in hydrogenation reactors, particularly in refineries and petrochemical plants. The improved contaminant removal is achieved by selective purging, by passing gases in the hydrogenation reactor recycle loop or purge stream across membranes selective in favor of the contaminant over hydrogen.

Abstract: Process for the selective hydrogenation of alphatic or aromatic substrates under supercritical or near critical conditions. Hydrogenation is effected using a heterogeneous catalyst in a continuous flow reactor containing a supercritical or near critical reaction medium and selectively of product formation is achieved by varying one or more of the temperature, pressure, catalyst and flow rate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a reactive distillation process comprising a distillation zone, associated with a reaction zone which is at least in part internal to said distillation zone and comprises at least one catalytic bed in which the feed is transformed in the presence of a catalyst and at least one gas stream containing hydrogen, characterized in that each catalytic bed in the internal portion of said reaction zone is traversed by said gas stream and liquid in ascending co-current mode. The invention particularly concerns selective hydrogenation processes for light unsaturated hydrocarbons, mainly any olefins and benzene, comprised in a mixture, the major portion of which is constituted by hydrocarbons containing at least five carbon atoms per molecule.

Abstract: A thermowell assembly and method which allows for arresting leakage in the case a thermowell begins to leak in a hydroprocessing process without having to shut down a flow of a hydrocarbon feed stream through a hydroconversion reaction zone in the hydroprocessing process. The thermowell assembly comprises a first hollow sleeve section which supports a thermowell member, a ferrule sealing member which engages the first hollow sleeve section, a second generally cup-shaped second sleeve section wherethrough a thermocouple member slidably passes, and an outer sleeve member for maintaining the union of the first sleeve section, the ferrule sealing member, and the second sleeve section. The method comprises severing and/or removing the thermocouple member from the commenced-leaking thermowell member and placing a high pressure cap over an aperture left vacant by the thermocouple member to seal-off the leaking thermowell member from the atmosphere.

Abstract: The sugar alcohols mentioned as title compounds can be prepared from the corresponding sugar in equimolar amounts by catalytic hydrogenation with hydrogen in aqueous solution, the hydrogenation being carried out continuously at an H.sub.2 pressure of 100 to 400 bar and a reaction temperature of 20 to 80.degree. C. using fixed-bed support-free molded bodies composed of compacted powders of alloys of the elements of the iron subgroup of group VIIIA of the periodic table with elements of group IVB and VA. The molded bodies have a compressive strength of 20 to 220 N and an internal surface area of 10 to 95 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: A highly flexible process for preparing butene oligomers from field butanes. The process can be controlled to produce the desired oligomerization products by appropriate selection of the starting materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluidized bed catalyst for the synthetic reaction of organic compounds which has a reduced catalyst loss. A fluidized bed catalyst for organic compound synthetic reaction, characterized in that 90% or more of the catalyst particles is in the range of 5-500 .mu.m on the weight-based particle size distribution and 90% or more of the 20-75 .mu.m particles has a crushing strength which satisfies the following equation:CS>A.multidot.d.sub..alpha.wherein CS represents a crushing strength ?g-weight/particle!,A represents a constant 0.001,d represents a particle diameter ?.mu.m!, and.alpha. represents a constant 2.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of a selected aromatic, such as benzene contained in a naphtha stream to cyclohexane wherein the distillation column reactor is operated such that the portion of the naphtha containing the benzene is maintained in the catalyst bed such that essentially only benzene is hydrogenated. The reactor is operated at a pressure wherein the reaction mixture is boiling under low hydrogen partial pressure in the range of about 0.1 psi to less than 70 psia at 0 to 350 psig. The catalyst is provided as a catalytic distillation structure such that the reaction is concurrently occurring with a distillation. A portion of the overheads is returned as reflux to provide cooling within the catalyst bed and concurrent condensation of some of the gaseous material within the bed.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a spent hydrogenation catalyst, comprising the steps of providing a catalyst comprising a support material selected from the group consisting of an inorganic oxide-zeolite composite, carbon and zeolite, and a catalytically active metal phase selected from the group consisting of partially reduced group IB metals and completely reduced group VIII metals, said metal phase being present in an amount of grater than or equal to about 0.03 wt %, and said catalyst having an initial diolefin hydrogenation activity, treating a hydrocarbon feedstock having a diolefin content of greater than or equal to about 0.

Abstract: The color of hydrocarbon resins having carbon-carbon double bonds and containing color bodies is lightened by a hydrotreating process consisting essentially of contacting the resin with hydrogen at a hydrogen pressure of 1 to about 20 bar (14.5 to about 290 psi) in the presence of a catalyst that promotes the hydrogenation of the color bodies without substantially changing the softening point or the content of carbon-carbon double bonds in the resin. The preferred catalyst is nickel/zinc oxide on SiO.sub.2.

Abstract: The invention concerns a supported catalyst in the form of packing and constructed on an open-pore support material on whose external and internal surfaces a macro-porous ion exchange resin is mechanically and/or chemically affixed.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of unsaturated cyclic and polycyclic compounds to saturates is provided wherein the reactor is operated at a pressure wherein the reaction mixture is boiling under low hydrogen partial pressure in the range of about 0.1 psi to less than 70 psia at 0 to 350 psig. The catalyst is provided as a catalytic distillation structure such that the reaction is concurrently occurring with a distillation. A portion of the overheads is returned as reflux to provide cooling within the catalyst bed and concurrent condensation of some of the gaseous material within the bed. Although no separation is obtained all of the advantages of concurrent reaction with distillation are achieved.

Abstract: Maleic anhydride can be hydrogenated with hydrogen to give succinic anhydride by a catalyzed liquid-phase hydrogenation, by carrying out the hydrogenation continuously at a pressure of 50 to 400 bar and a reaction temperature of 60.degree. to 180.degree. C. on oxygen-free and support-free shaped bodies arranged in the fixed bed, which shaped bodies are made of pressed powders of the elements of the iron subgroup of subgroup VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements or of their alloys with each other or of their alloys with elements of subgroup VI; in addition, hydrogenation-inert elements can be present. The shaped bodies have a compressive strength of 20 to 250N and an internal surface area of 10 to 90 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: A light hydrocarbon stream, such as a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 stream recovered from an FCC unit, is catalytically treated for the selective hydrogenation of dienes and for the removal of mercaptans by thioetherification. The effluent of the reaction zone is fractionated to remove light ends and thioethers in a dual section fractionation zone, with the interconnection of the sections facilitating a reduction in capital and operating costs.

Abstract: Gasoline range olefins such as trimethyl pentene are saturated to the corresponding paraffins such as trimethylpentane by hydrogen transfer from lower molecular weight paraffins using a catalyst comprising platinum supported on a large pore borosilicate zeolite which has been partially neutralized by the addition of alkali cations.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of a halogenated organic feedstock to produce a stream of hydrocarbonaceous compounds having an exceedingly low concentration of halogenated organic compounds and an aqueous stream containing hydrogen halide.

Abstract: The method of preparation comprises:a step (a) of placing in solution at least one compound of at least one metal A in at least one organic solvent S, and of at least one reducing compound R of at least one metal B in at least one organic solvent S',a step (b) of placing the reducing compound R in contact with the metal A compound,a step (d) of neutralisation of the residual reducing functions of the reducing compound R with at least one oxidizing agent O,and where applicable the addition of a selectivity agent P either during step (a) or during step (c) placed between steps (b) and (d),The catalyst obtained can be used in selective or total hydrogenation.

Abstract: A hydrogenation process for reducing the unsaturation of lubricants uses a catalyst which is based on an ultra-large pore crystalline material. The crystalline material has pores of at least 13 .ANG. diameter arranged in a uniform manner and exhibits unusually large sorption capacity demonstrated by its benzene adsorption capacity of greater than about 15 grams benzene/100 grams (50 torr and 25.degree. C.). A preferred form of the catalyst has a hexagonal structure which exhibits a hexagonal electron diffraction pattern that can be indexed with a d.sub.100 value greater than about 18 .ANG.. The hydrogenation catalysts based on these materials are capable of reducing the unsaturation in poly alpha olefin lubricants to a low level.

Abstract: Molecular sieves are modified by an ion exchange process where metal cations are introduced into the molecular sieves by means of solid state ion exchange. The solid state ion exchange can be carried out as follows: a weighed amount of calcined and activated zeolite is intimately mixed with a precalculated amount of PtCl.sub.2, PdCl.sub.2, RhCl.sub.3, CuCl.sub.2, V.sub.2 O.sub.5 or another compound of the noble metals (e.g., corresponding halides or oxides), the solids mixture is then heated in a current of inert gas (e.g., a current of helium gas or of nitrogen) to temperatures of 400.degree. to 600.degree. C., then cooled down to room temperature and subsequently reduced in a current of hydrogen for 10 to 14 hours at 280.degree. to 350.degree. C. in order to produce small metal clusters from the cationically introduced metal.

Abstract: A catalytic asymmetric reduction process, which, by hydrogenating trisubstituted olefins, yields a corresponding organic compound having a high level of enantiomeric purity is disclosed. The process is also effective for the catalytic asymmetric reduction of certain enamines and related compounds to yield a corresponding amine or related compound, respectively, having a high level of enantiomeric purity. The reduction process utilizes a chiral metal catalyst that includes a metal or metal complex that is selected from groups 3, 4, 5, or 6, lanthanides and actinides. Moreover, the process uses hydrogen as the stoichiometric reducing agent and may be carried out at pressures ranging from about 0.5 to 200 atmospheres. The reaction can also be carried out using an acidic compound as a rate enhancing additive.

Abstract: A process is described for carrying out the dehydrogenation or hydrogenation, including hydrogenolysis, of a hydrocarbon in the presence of one or more soluble fullerene catalysts which have been dissolved in the hydrocarbon (when the hydrocarbon is a liquid capable of dissolving the fullerene catalyst) or dissolved in a solvent which is also a solvent for the hydrocarbon (when the hydrocarbon either is not a liquid or is not a liquid which is a solvent for the fullerene catalyst). The use of a liquid catalyst, i.e., a dissolved fullerene catalyst, inhibits coking reactions to thereby inhibit formation of coke on a solid catalyst or catalyst support by elimination of nucleation points or growth regions for such coke formation.

Abstract: Novel calcined zeolites of MFI type, based on silica and germanium oxide, are well adapted for the catalysis, e.g., of hydrogenolysis, hydrogenation and reforming reactions, and have the general formula:(Si.sub.96-x Ge.sub.x)O.sub.192wherein x ranges from 0.1 to about 36.

Abstract: In a transition metal catalyst system, the improvement comprising including in the catalyst system an autoacceleration inhibitor, which (i) at about the temperature at which the catalyst system autoaccelerates, decomposes into a poison for the catalyst system; (ii) is present in the catalyst system in an amount sufficient to provide the quantity of poison required to inhibit the autoacceleration of the catalyst system at the autoacceleration temperature; and (iii) is either essentially inert at the normal operating temperature of the catalyst system or will cause substantially less inhibition of the catalyst system at the normal operating temperature than at the autoacceleration temperature.

Abstract: Procedure of olefin hydrogenation in liquid phase in the presence of homogeneous catalysts that contain, as essential component, a titanocene of general formula Cp CpTiR.sub.2, Cp CpTiR.sub.2, Cp Cp[CpTiR.sub.2 ].sub.2, or Cp Cp[Cp TiR.sub.2 ].sub.2 where Cp is a pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, Cp cyclopentadienyl, Cp Cp are two cyclopentadienyl rings linked together by a dimethylsililene (Me.sub.2 Si), and R is an alyl, aryl, alkylaryl, or alcoxide group containing between 1 and 20 carbon atoms or a halogen atom, a PPh.sub.2, CH.sub.2 SiMe.sub.3, CH.sub.2 PPh.sub.2, or H.These catalysts are very active in the hydrogenation of linear and branched, internal and external olefins, cycloolefins and diolefins.

Abstract: Compounds of formula II ##STR1## wherein the groups (R.sub.1).sub.2 P(CH.sub.2).sub.m bzw.n are in o- or m-position to each other and the substituents R.sub.1 are identical or different radicals, m and n are each independently of the other 0 or 1, R.sub.1 is linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, unsubstituted C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl or C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl which is substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, or is phenyl or benzyl, or both substituents R.sub.1 in a group (R.sub.1).sub.2 P together are o,o'-diphenylene, --R.sub.2 --X-- is a bond or --(C.sub.x H.sub.2x --O).sub.y --, or X-- is O-- and R.sub.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylene, x is an integer from 2 to 6 and y is an integer from 2 to 6, R.sub.3 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkylene, phenylene or benzylene, and R.sub.4 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or phenyl, can be applied to solid carriers, such as silica gel or aerosils, and complexed with rhodium or iridium compounds.

Abstract: Organic-solvent soluble magnesium hydrides or formulas ##STR1## are prepared by catalytically hydrogenating finely powdered magnesium, optionally in the presence of a magnesium halide, in an organic solvent in the presence of their MgH.sub.2 -free counterparts in whichQ is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, dialkylamino, aralkyl, aryl or diarylamino group, each with up to 18 carbon atoms,R is an alkenyl, aralkyl or aryl group, each with up to 18 carbon atoms,X is chlorine, bromine, or iodine, ##STR2## is a chelating ligand, E is --CH.sub.2, --N(R)-- or --O--,is an alkylene radical of the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.p,D is a dialkylamino, diarylamino or alkoxy group, each with up to 18 carbon atoms,M is aluminum or boron,m is 1, 2, or 3, and1<n.ltoreq.50.

Abstract: A reducible unsaturated organic compound is reduced with diimide in an aqueous emulsion comprised of water, an organic phase which contains the compound to be reduced, and an effective stabilizing amount of an anionic surfactant. The organic compound is preferably an unsaturated organic compound containing a carbon-to-carbon multiple bond, which is preferably a carbon-to-carbon double bond. Diimide is formed by reaction of hydrazine with an oxidant in the aqueous emulsion described above. The preferred oxidant is hydrogen peroxide. A product is obtained in high yield and purity in most cases. This process is especially useful for the selective reduction of a compound having two or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds of different reactivities or a carbon-to-carbon double bond and a functionality (e.g., an O--O or S--S linkage) which is reducible by catalytic hydrogenation but not diimide.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of cyclooctene which comprises irradiating 1,5-cyclooctadiene with light in the presence of a photodehydrogenation catalyst, acetone and an alcohol to partially hydrogenate the 1,5-cyclooctadiene.

Abstract: Cyclic polyenes are selectively hydrogenated to cyclic monoenes under suitable hydrogenation conditions in the presence of an activated ruthenium catalyst complexes. The ruthenium catalyst complex is activated by hydrogenating a minimal amount of cyclic polyene under suitable hydrogenation conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a process for production of cyclohexane by liquid phase hydrogenation of benzene wherein no diluent is necessary, which comprises contacting benzene and hydrogen in the presence of a mixed catalyst bed comprising a first catalyst which is a less active hydrogenation catalyst selected from elements of Group VIII of the Periodic Table and a second, more active catalyst, comprising a Group VIII metal supported on an oxide, such as, for example, alumina, silica or titania at a temperature of about 40.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. and pressure sufficient to keep the benzene liquid at the chosen reaction temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramic materials containing a homogeneous dispersion of metal particles, particularly sol-gel ceramic materials, a method of preparing the same, and processes for hydrogenating and oxidizing organic compounds using the same.

Abstract: A cobalt carbonyl phosphine complex useful for hydrogenation of cyclic polyenes to corresponding cyclic monoenes is prepared by reaction of dicobalt carbonyl and a phosphine compound in at least one non-oxygenated aliphatic solvent. Selective hydrogenation of the cyclic polyenes comprises an induction period during which the polyenes are contacted with the cobalt carbonyl complex catlayst under hydrogen pressure followed by decreasing the reaction temperature and pressure for a period of time sufficient to complete the hydrogenation.

Abstract: This invention deals with a hydrocarbon conversion process using a crystalline oxysulfide composition. The crystalline oxysulfide composition has a three-dimensional microporous framework structure of at least MO.sub.2, MS.sub.2, and MOS tetrahedral units, having an intracrystalline pore system and an empirical formula expressed in molar ratios:(M.sub.s Al.sub.t P.sub.u Si.sub.v)S.sub.w O.sub.2-wwhere M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of metals which: 1) can be incorporated into the framework structure of a microporous molecular sieve and 2) form hydrolytically stable sulfides; s, t, u, v and w are the mole fractions of M, Al, P, Si and S respectively. The values of s, t, u and v are chosen such that when t is greater than zero u is greater than zero, s+t+u+v=1 and when s=1, M is only a combination of gallium and germanium.

Abstract: This invention relates to zinc phosphate molecular sieves. These molecular sieves have a three-dimenisonal microporous framework structure of ZnO.sub.2 and PO.sub.2 tetrahedral units, an intracrystalline pore system and an empirical chemical composition on an anhydrous basis expressed as ratio of the oxides by the formula: rM.sub.2 O:sZnO:P.sub.2 O.sub.5, where M is at least one alkali metal, r ranges from about 0.9 to about 1.5 and s ranges from about 1.8 to about 3.0. These molecular sieves may be prepared by hydrothermal crystallization of a reaction mixture prepared by combining a reactive source of phosphorus, zinc, at least one alkali metal and water. This invention also relates to processes using these molecular sieves.

Abstract: Transition metal complexes of the general formula I[A].sup.x- [Q].sup.+ x Iwhere Q is one equivalent of a cation, x is from 0 to 2 and A is a transition metal complex of the general formula ##STR1## where n is from 1 to 3, M is positively charged cobalt, rhodium, iridium or ruthenium, the ligands B are phosphonic, arsonic, phosphinic and/or arsinic acid ligands which are esterified with identical or different alcohols, one or more of these alcohol components carrying a functional group, L is ##STR2## the radicals R.sup.5 are identical or different radicals from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl and phenyl, p is an integer from 0 to 6, q is an integer from 0 to 5, and R.sup.1 is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, cyanide, isocyanide, cyanate, isocyanate, thiocyanate, isothiocyanate, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: A multistep process is disclosed for the manufacture of synthetic lubricants from the C.sub.8 to C.sub.24 linear olefin components of below liquid fuel value petroleum distillate fractions derived via the high temperature thermal cracking of petroleum residua. Such feeds contain major amounts of 1-n-olefins, n-paraffins and greater than 0.1% concentration of sulfur mostly in the form aromatic, thiophene type sulfur compounds.In the first step of the present process such feeds are enriched in the straight chain aliphatic hydrocarbon components by one or more separation processes, preferably via urea adduction or by crystallization. In the second step, the olefin components are oligomerized to sulfur containing C.sub.30 to C.sub.60 polyolefins, preferably in the presence of BF.sub.3 complex catalysts. In the third step, the polyolefins are hydrogenated to novel isoparaffin lubricants in the presence of sulfur resistant catalysts, preferably transition metal sulfides.

Abstract: A process for the non-catalytic hydrogenation of organic compounds, which contain at least one reducible functional group, which comprises reacting the organic compound, a hydride complex, preferably a transition metal hydride complex or an organosilane, and a strong acid in a liquid phase.

Abstract: Compositions containing sulfuric acid and one or more of certain chalcogen-containing compounds in which the chalcogen compound/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is below 2 contain the mono-adduct of sulfuric acid which is catalytically active for promoting organic chemical reactions. Suitable chalcogen-containing compounds have the empirical formula ##STR1## wherein X is a chalcogen, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from hydrogen, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4, and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is other than hydrogen, each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Such compositions are useful for catalyzing organic reactions such as oxidation, oxidative addition, reduction, reductive addition, esterification, transesterification, hydrogenation, isomerication (including racemization of optical isomers), alkylation, polymerization, demetallization of organometallics, nitration, Friedel-Crafts reactions, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: The improved, heterogeneous catalysts are in the form of gas-impervious, hollow, thin-walled spheres (10) suitably formed of a shell (12) of metal such as aluminum having a cavity (14) containing a gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The wall material may be, itself, catalytic or the catalyst can be coated onto the sphere as a layer (16), suitably platinum or iron, which may be further coated with a layer (18) of activator or promoter. The density of the spheres (30) can be uniformly controlled to a preselected value within .+-.10 percent of the density of the fluid reactant such that the spheres either remain suspended or slowly fall or rise through the liquid reactant.

Abstract: Highly branched synthetic hydrocarbon fluids produced by anionically oligomerizing selected dienes in the presence of organoalkali compounds and complexing reagents provide fluids having high traction coefficients and excellent elastohydrodynamic lubricating characteristics.

Abstract: The reaction of the organolanthanide complexes [.eta..sup.5 --(CH.sub.3).sub.5 C.sub.5 ].sub.2 MCl.sub.2.sup.- Li((C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2 O).sub.2.sup.+, M=La, Nd, Sm, Lu, with LiCH[Si(CH.sub.3).sub.3 ].sub.2 provides a straight-forward route to ether-free and halide-free bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) lanthanide alkyls, (.eta..sup.5 (CH.sub.3).sub.5 C.sub.5).sub.2 MCH-[Si(CH.sub.3).sub.3 ].sub.2. The (.eta..sup.5 (CH.sub.3).sub.5 C.sub.5).sub.2 NdCH[Si(CH.sub.3).sub.3 ].sub.2 complexes react with H.sub.2 under mild conditions to yield the corresponding hydrides [(.eta..sup.5 (CH.sub.3).sub.5 C.sub.5).sub.2 MH].sub.2. These complexes have been found to be extremely active homogeneous olefin polymerization catalysts, as well as catalysts for olefin and acetylene hydrogenation.