Crystalline molecular sieves and their synthesis using quaternary N-methyl-diisoalkylammonium cations as organic structure directing agents are disclosed. The structure directing agent has the following structure (1): ##STR00001##
in which R.sup.1 is selected from hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, and a hydroxymethyl group; and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently selected from a methyl group, an ethyl group, and a propyl group.

Carbonylation process for producing methyl acetate, by contacting dimethyl ether and carbon monoxide under carbonylation conditions in the presence of a catalyst having a zeolite of micropore volume of 0.01 ml/g. The zeolite is an as-synthesized organic structure directing agent-containing zeolite and contains at least one channel which is defined by an 8-member ring.

Methods for producing mesoporous zeolites are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes mixing a silicon-containing material, an aluminum-containing material, or both, with a quaternary amine and at least one base to produce a zeolite precursor solution. The zeolite precursor solution is combined with nanocellulose to form a zeolite precursor gel, from which volatiles are removed. The zeolite precursor gel is crystallized to produce a crystalline zeolite intermediate. The crystalline zeolite intermediate is calcined to form the mesoporous zeolite. The nanocellulose mesopores template may include cellulose nanocrystals, nanocellulose fibers, or combinations thereof. The quaternary amine may include tetraethylammonium hydroxide, tetraethylamonnium alkoxide, tetrapropylammonium alkoxide, other alkaline materials comprising ammonium, or combinations thereof.

The invention relates to a novel zeolite catalysts, methods of producing the zeolite catalysts and a methods of using such catalyst, including for production of BTEX with improved yield, product selectivity and reduced char production. The present invention relates to novel mesoporous zeolite catalysts, as well as methods of producing the same. The present invention also relates to methods of producing renewable aromatic hydrocarbons using such catalysts.

Disclosed is a catalyst composition and its use in a process for the conversion of a feedstock containing C.sub.8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to produce light aromatic products, comprising benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst composition comprises a first zeolite having a constraint index of 3 to 12, a second zeolite comprising a mordenite zeolite synthesized from TEA or MTEA, at least one first metal of Group 10 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, and at least one second metal of Group 11 to 15 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, wherein said mordenite zeolite has a mesopore surface area of greater than 30 m.sup.2/g and said mordenite zeolite comprises agglomerates composed of primary crystallites, wherein said primary crystallites have an average primary crystal size as measured by TEM of less than 80 nm and an aspect ratio of less than 2.

A catalyst and process for the production of methyl acetate by contacting dimethyl ether and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst which is a zeolite of micropore volume of 0.01 ml/g or less.

The present invention provides a mordenite zeolite having a mesopore surface area of greater than 30 m.sup.2/g and an average primary crystal size as measured by TEM of less than 80 nm, and methods of making the mordenite zeolite.

Disclosed is a catalyst composition and its use in a process for the conversion of a feedstock containing C.sub.8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to produce light aromatic products, comprising benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst composition comprises a mordenite zeolite synthesized from TEA or MTEA, optionally at least one first metal of Group 10 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, and optionally at least one second metal of Group 11 to 15 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, wherein said mordenite zeolite has a mesopore surface area of greater than 30 m.sup.2/g and said mordenite zeolite comprises agglomerates composed of primary crystallites, wherein said primary crystallites have an average primary crystal size as measured by TEM of less than 80 nm and an aspect ratio of less than 2.

Disclosed are a catalyst system and its use in a process for the conversion of a feedstock containing C.sub.8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to produce light aromatic products, comprising benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst system comprises (a) a first catalyst bed comprising a first catalyst composition, said first catalyst composition comprising a zeolite having a constraint index of 3 to 12 combined (i) optionally with at least one first metal of Group 10 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, and (ii) optionally with at least one second metal of Group 11 to 15 of the IUPAC Periodic Table; and (b) a second catalyst bed comprising a second catalyst composition, said second catalyst composition comprising (i) a meso-mordenite zeolite, combined (ii) optionally with at least one first metal of Group 10 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, and (iii) optionally with at least one second metal of Group 11 to 15 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, wherein said meso-mordenite zeolite is synthesized from TEA or MTEA and having a mesopore surface area of greater than 30 m.sup.2/g and said meso-mordenite zeolite comprises agglomerates composed of primary crystallites, wherein said primary crystallites have an average primary crystal size as measured by TEM of less than 80 nm and an aspect ratio of less than 2.

The present invention provides a mordenite zeolite having a mesopore surface area of greater than 30 m.sup.2/g and an average primary crystal size as measured by TEM of less than 80 nm, and methods of making the mordenite zeolite.