Processes for selectively alkylating and/or dealkylating one ring of cyclohexylbenzyl and/or biphenyl compounds are provided. Such selective alkylation and/or dealkylation takes place through a transalkylation reaction between the cyclohexylbenzyl compound and a substituted or unsubstituted benzene, which replaces the phenyl moiety of the cyclohexylbenzyl compound. The transalkylated cyclohexylbenzyl may be dehydrogenated to give a corresponding biphenyl compound. The same reaction steps can be utilized with respect to biphenyl compounds by first partially hydrogenating one phenyl ring of the biphenyl compound, thereby obtaining a corresponding cyclohexylbenzyl compound, which may undergo the transalkylation and, optionally, subsequent dehydrogenation. Combinations of any two or more of partial hydrogenation, transalkylation, and dehydrogenation enable targeted substitution (or de-substitution) of only one ring of cyclohexylbenzyl and/or biphenyl compounds, thereby providing superior control in designing the synthesis of these compounds.

In a process for producing dialkylbiphenyl compounds, a feed comprising substituted cyclohexylbenzene isomers having the formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is an alkyl group and wherein the feed comprises m % by weight of isomers in which R.sup.1 is in the 2-position, based on the total weight of substituted cyclohexylbenzene isomers in the feed; is transalkylated with a compound of formula (II): ##STR00002##
to produce a transalkylation product comprising substituted cyclohexylbenzene isomers having the formula (I) and including n % by weight of isomers in which R.sup.1 is in the 2-position, based on the total weight of substituted cyclohexylbenzene isomers in the transalkylation product, wherein n<m. At least part of the transalkylation product is then dehydrogenated under conditions effective to convert at least part of the substituted cyclohexylbenzene isomers in the transalkylation product to dialkylbiphenyl compounds.

The present subject matter relates generally to methods for treating an organic feed. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to methods for reducing the water content of an organic feed before the organic feed enters a hydrogenation zone, thereby by improving the activity, conversion, and life of the hydrogenation catalyst. The hydrogenation zone product stream is then sent to a phenol recovery zone.

The present subject matter relates generally to methods for treating an organic feed. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to methods for reducing the water content of an organic feed before the organic feed enters a hydrogenation zone, thereby by improving the activity, conversion, and life of the hydrogenation catalyst. The hydrogenation zone product stream is then sent to a phenol recovery zone.

Processes, catalysts, and reactor systems for reforming heavy aromatic compounds (C.sub.11+) into C.sub.6-8 aromatic compounds are disclosed. Also disclosed are processes, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing aromatic compounds and liquid fuels from oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like.

Processes, catalysts, and reactor systems for reforming heavy aromatic compounds (C.sub.11+) into C.sub.6-8 aromatic compounds are disclosed. Also disclosed are processes, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing aromatic compounds and liquid fuels from oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like.

Disclosed is a method for providing improved hydrogenation activity by pretreating a catalyst in a three-step manner before selective hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons in an aromatic fraction in the presence of an oxide-type bimetallic (particularly nickel-molybdenum) supported catalyst.

Disclosed is a method for providing improved hydrogenation activity by pretreating a catalyst in a three-step manner before selective hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons in an aromatic fraction in the presence of an oxide-type bimetallic (particularly nickel-molybdenum) supported catalyst.

A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from 20 C. to 30 C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.

A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from 20 C. to 30 C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.