Abstract: Supported ruthenium metal catalysts prepared by reduction of carbonyl compounds give improved yields of methane in the hydro-cracking of hydrocarbons, especially alkanes and alkyl aromatics. Alkanes may be cracked to methane at low temperature (200.degree.-300.degree. C.) and the de-alkylation of alkyl benzenes may be controlled sufficiently to allow removal of isomers e.g. ethylbenzene from xylenes. The novel catalysts comprise ruthenium clusters having average dimensions below 20 A.

Abstract: In a process for dealkylating a hydrocarbon material containing at least one alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon having bonded to the aromatic ring at least one alkyl group with at least 2 carbon atoms in the gaseous phase in the presence of hydrogen using a hydro-dealkylation catalyst, the improvement wherein (a) said hydro-dealkylation catalyst is composed of a crystalline aluminosilicate having a silica/alumina mole ratio of from 20 to 200 and containing a noble metal selected from platinum, palladium, rhodium and iridium, and (b) said dealkylation is carried out at a temperature of 250.degree. C. to 420.degree. C. and a pressure of not more than 100 psig, thereby selectively removing said alkyl group containing at least 2 carbon atoms from said alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Isomerization of xylenes admixed with other alkyl aromatics of at least eight carbon atoms and with normal or slightly branched paraffins is conducted at 800.degree.-1000.degree. F. with a zeolite like zeolite ZSM-5 of reduced acid activity.

Abstract: A process for hydrodealkylating alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g., toluene, by reaction with hydrogen in the absence of water vapor under relatively mild reaction conditions, and a catalyst therefor are disclosed. The process is effected at a temperature of from about 450.degree. to 650.degree. C., preferably from about 520.degree. to 620.degree. C., and pressures of from about 1 to about 30, preferably from about 5 to about 20 bar, and a liquid hourly space velocity of from about 1 to about 10, preferably from about 3 to about 8, in the presence of a catalyst which comprises a noble metal component comprising rhodium and a support comprising a metal aluminate having a spinel structure and corresponding to the empirical formula M Al.sub.2 O.sub.4.X Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, wherein X represents a value of from 0 to about 200 and M represents a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium.

Abstract: Isomerization of xylenes in admixture with ethylbenzene by contact with a zeolite catalyst such as ZSM-5 is improved by use of zeolite which has been steamed at high temperature to reduce activity, the reaction being at a temperature above about 700.degree. F. At these conditions, conversion of ethylbenzene follows a different reaction path which permits high conversion of ethylbenzene to benzene without loss of xylenes of disproportionation.

Abstract: Isomerization of xylenes in admixture with ethyl benzene by contact with a zeolite catalyst such as ZSM-5 is improved by use of zeolite having a substantial alkali metal content at a temperature above about 800.degree. F. At these conditions, conversion of ethylbenzene follows a different reaction path which permits high conversion of ethylbenzene to benzene without loss of xylenes by disproportionation.

Abstract: Hydroxy-substituted aromatic compounds are dehydroxylated in the presence of hydrogen and a rhenium-fluorided alumina catalyst at high conversion and selectivity to dehydroxylated aromatic products.

Abstract: A process for producing benzene is provided which comprises the steps of subjecting a charge rich in alkylaromatic hydrocarbons and containing 2-20% by weight paraffinic and/or naphthenic hydrocarbons, in a first catalytic zone, to a hydrotreatment in the presence of a catalyst mixture containing a selective mordenite catalyst and a reforming catalyst, then subjecting at least a portion of the resultant effluent to thermal or catalytic hydrodealkylation in a second zone, and separating and recovering benzene from the effluent from the second zone.

Abstract: Ethyl aromatics contained in the C.sub.9 aromatic fraction from fractionated reformate are selectively converted to xylenes via ethyl scission in the presence of a catalyst comprising a carrier of highly purified gamma alumina containing essentially no silica and of a surface area of at least 100 m.sup.2 /g and a metal selected from the group consisting of a Group VIII metal and a Group VIII metal promoted with zinc.

Abstract: Fractionated heavy reformate containing ethyltoluenes and propylbenzenes is selectively hydrodealkylated and transalkylated to produce ethylbenzene-lean xylenes, benzene and C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 paraffins in the presence of a catalyst comprising a tungsten/molybdenum component of WO.sub.3 and MoO.sub.3 and an acidic component of 60 (wt)% of mordenite and 40 (wt)% of catalytically active alumina.

Abstract: A method of preparing benzene and xylenes from catalysates of reforming of gasoline fractions comprising a mixture of aromatic C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbons and non-aromatic hydrocarbons which involves separation of a low-boiling fraction boiling out at a temperature of 90.degree.-108.degree. C. from a reforming catalysate by rectification. The remaining high-boiling fraction is processed in the presence of a hydrogen-containing gas at a temperature within the range of from 450.degree. to 600.degree. C. under a pressure of from 10 to 60 atm on a catalyst. The catalyst consists of 1 to 85% by weight of H-mordenite, 0.1 to 10% by weight of a hydrogenating component as which use might be made of oxides of metals of Group VI of the periodic system, sulphides of these metals, metals of Group VIII of the periodic system, sulphides thereof; the balance being a binder.

Abstract: An improved vapor phase process is provided for isomerization of monocyclic methyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons. The process involves contacting said aromatic hydrocarbons with a catalyst material containing a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite characterized by a silica/alumina mole ratio of at least 12 and a constraint index, hereinafter defined, within the approximate range of 1 to 12, in a reaction zone maintained under conditions such that said isomerization is accomplished in the vapor phase. The improvement resides in the catalyst being highly diluted, such as with alumina, and the reaction temperature being maintained at greater than 800.degree. F.