Processes are described for isomerizing one or more C.sub.4-C.sub.24 alpha olefins to produce an isomerization mixture comprising one or more C.sub.4-C.sub.24 internal olefins comprising contacting an olefinic feed comprising the one or more C.sub.4-C.sub.24 alpha olefins with a catalyst under isomerization conditions, wherein the catalyst comprises a microporous crystalline aluminosilicate selected from the group consisting of ZSM-5, ZSM-23, ZSM-35, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-48, ZSM-57, and mixtures or combinations thereof, and wherein the microporous crystalline aluminosilicate has a SiO.sub.2/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 molar ratio of less than or equal to about 100. The resulting isomerization mixture typically exhibits a lower pour point and maintained biodegradability properties as compared to the olefinic feed, and is particularly useful in drilling fluid and paper sizing compositions.

A novel catalyst composition and its use in the dehydrogenation of alkanes to olefins. The catalyst comprises a Group VIII noble metal and a metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, vanadium, chromium, titanium, and combinations thereof, on a support. The Group VIII noble metal can be platinum, palladium, osmium, rhodium, rubidium, iridium, and combinations thereof. The support can be silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, silica-alumina, cerium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, magnesium oxide, metal modified silica, silica-pillared clays, silica-pillared micas, metal oxide modified silica-pillared mica, silica-pillared tetrasilicic mica, silica-pillared taeniolite, zeolite, molecular sieve, and combinations thereof. The catalyst composition is an active and selective catalyst for the catalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes to olefins.

Methods for preparing isotopically modified 1,4-diene systems from non-isotopically modified 1,4-dienes involve selective oxidation of one or more bis-allylic position(s), or the preparation of isotopically modified 1,4-diene systems via trapping pi-allylic complexes with a source of deuterium or tritium. Such methods are useful for preparing isotopically modified polyunsaturated lipid including polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acid derivatives.

Methods for preparing isotopically modified 1,4-diene systems from non-isotopically modified 1,4-dienes involve selective oxidation of one or more bis-allylic position(s), or the preparation of isotopically modified 1,4-diene systems via trapping pi-allylic complexes with a source of deuterium or tritium. Such methods are useful for preparing isotopically modified polyunsaturated lipid including polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acid derivatives.

Methods for preparing isotopically modified 1,4-diene systems from non-isotopically modified 1,4-dienes involve selective oxidation of one or more bis-allylic position(s), or the preparation of isotopically modified 1,4-diene systems via trapping pi-allylic complexes with a source of deuterium or tritium. Such methods are useful for preparing isotopically modified polyunsaturated lipid including polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acid derivatives.

A catalyst, methods of making, and process of dehydrogenating paraffins utilizing the catalyst. The catalyst includes at least 20 mass % Zn, a catalyst support and a catalyst stabilizer. The catalyst is further characterizable by physical properties such as activity parameter measured under specified conditions. The catalyst may also be disposed on a porous support in an attrition-resistant form and used in a fluidized bed reactor.

Systems and processes for producing isomerized alkenes are disclosed. The systems mainly include an isomerization unit, a dehydrogenation unit, and a MTBE synthesis unit. A hydrocarbon stream is fed into the isomerization unit to form iso-alkanes in a sulfur free hydrocarbon stream. The sulfur free hydrocarbon stream is heated and then combined with a sulfur-containing hydrocarbon stream comprising sulfur containing compounds to form a reactant feed stream to the dehydrogenation unit. The iso-alkanes is dehydrogenated to form iso-alkenes. The formed iso-alkenes comprising isobutylene can be used as a feed stock for the MTBE synthesis unit.

Synthesizing an alkane includes heating a mixture including an alkene and water at or above the water vapor saturation pressure in the presence of a catalyst and one or both of hydrogen and a reductant, thereby hydrogenating the alkene to yield an alkane and water, and separating the alkane from the water to yield the alkane. The reductant includes a first metal and the catalyst includes a second metal.

A process is useful for the isomerization of C.sub.4 to C.sub.9 olefins having an internal double bond into the corresponding olefins having a terminal double bond using a heterogeneous catalyst system of a silicon-aluminium mixed oxide composition.

A catalyst, methods of making, and process of dehydrogenating paraffins utilizing the catalyst. The catalyst includes at least 20 mass % Zn, a catalyst support and a catalyst stabilizer. The catalyst is further characterizable by physical properties such as activity parameter measured under specified conditions. The catalyst may also be disposed on a porous support in an attrition-resistant form and used in a fluidized bed reactor.