This disclosure relates to a primary alcohol composition of linear and branched C.sub.11, C.sub.13, C.sub.15, C.sub.17, C.sub.19 or C.sub.21 primary alcohols, wherein at least 50% of the branched alcohol chains are mono-branched chains with a branch at the second carbon atom relative to the hydroxyl carbon. Branching is selective and has been found to be preferably at least 80% in the 2-carbon position (the beta carbon) of the alcohol. This disclosure also relates to a process using an isomerized linear alpha olefin (LAO) as a feed for hydroformylation to produce the lightly branched C.sub.11, C.sub.13, C.sub.15, C.sub.17, C.sub.19 or C.sub.21 primary alcohols.

A method is disclosed for producing small crystal, high aluminum content zincoaluminosilicate crystalline materials having the SSZ-41 framework structure. The compositions made according to that method, as well as uses of the same, are also disclosed.

The invention is directed to a process to prepare propylene from a hydrocarbon feed comprising pentane by contacting the hydrocarbon feed with a heterogeneous cracking catalyst as present in one or more fixed beds thereby obtaining a cracked effluent. The heterogeneous catalyst comprises a matrix component and a molecular sieve comprising framework alumina, framework silica and a framework metal selected from the group of Zn, Fe, Ce, La, Y, Ga and/or Zr. Propylene is isolated from the cracked effluent.

The invention is directed to a process to prepare propylene from a hydrocarbon feed comprising pentane by contacting the hydrocarbon feed with a heterogeneous cracking catalyst as present in one or more fixed beds thereby obtaining a cracked effluent. The heterogeneous catalyst comprises a matrix component and a molecular sieve comprising framework alumina, framework silica and a framework metal selected from the group of Zn, Fe, Ce, La, Y, Ga and/or Zr. Propylene is isolated from the cracked effluent.

Methods are provided for activation of catalysts comprising low amounts of a hydrogenation metal, such as low amounts of a Group 8-10 noble metal. The amount of hydrogenation metal on the catalyst can correspond to 0.5 wt % or less (with respect to the weight of the catalyst), or 0.1 wt % or less, or 0.05 wt % or less. Prior to loading a catalyst into a reactor, the corresponding catalyst precursor can be first activated in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere containing 1.0 vppm of CO or less. The thus first-activated catalyst can be transferred to a reactor with optional exposure to oxygen during the transfer, where it can be further activated using a hydrogen-containing atmosphere containing 3.0 vppm of CO or higher, to yield a twice-activated catalyst with high performance. The catalyst can be advantageously a transalkylation catalyst or an isomerization catalyst useful for converting aromatic hydrocarbons.

A method is disclosed for producing small crystal, high aluminum content zincoaluminosilicate crystalline materials having the SSZ-41 framework structure. The compositions made according to that method, as well as uses of the same, are also disclosed.

A method of making a xylene isomerization catalyst comprises the steps of (i) contacting a ZSM-5 zeolite starting material having a silica to alumina molar ratio of 20 to 50 and having a mesopore surface area in the range of 50 m.sup.2/gram to 200 m.sup.2/gram in a reactor with a base to provide an intermediate zeolite material; (ii) recovering the intermediate ZSM-5 zeolite material of step (i); (iii) contacting the intermediate zeolite material with an acid to provide an acid treated ZSM-5 zeolite product; (iv) recovering the acid treated ZSM-5 zeolite material; and (v) calcining the acid treated ZSM-5 zeolite material to provide a desilicated ZSM-5 zeolite product having a silica to alumina molar ratio of 20 to 150 and having a mesopore surface area in the range of 100 m.sup.2/gram to 400 m.sup.2/gram.

The present invention relates to a molecular sieve, particularly to an ultra-macroporous molecular sieve. The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of the molecular sieve and to its application as an adsorbent, a catalyst, or the like. The molecular sieve has a unique X-ray diffraction pattern and a unique crystal particle morphology. The molecular sieve can be produced by using a compound represented by the following formula (I), ##STR00001## wherein the definition of each group and value is the same as that provided in the specification, as an organic template. The molecular sieve is capable of adsorbing more/larger molecules, thereby exhibiting excellent adsorptive/catalytic properties.

A method of making a xylene isomerization catalyst comprises the steps of (i) contacting a ZSM-5 zeolite starting material having a silica to alumina molar ratio of 20 to 50 and having a mesopore surface area in the range of 50 m.sup.2/gram to 200 m.sup.2/gram in a reactor with a base to provide an intermediate zeolite material; (ii) recovering the intermediate ZSM-5 zeolite material of step (i); (iii) contacting the intermediate zeolite material with an acid to provide an acid treated ZSM-5 zeolite product; (iv) recovering the acid treated ZSM-5 zeolite material; and (v) calcining the acid treated ZSM-5 zeolite material to provide a desilicated ZSM-5 zeolite product having a silica to alumina molar ratio of 20 to 150 and having a mesopore surface area in the range of 100 m.sup.2/gram to 400 m.sup.2/gram.

Disclosed are a catalyst and a preparation method therefor, the catalyst being able to maintain a high production yield of C8 aromatic hydrocarbons in the process of converting a feedstock containing alkyl aromatics to C8 aromatic hydrocarbons such as mixed xylene through disproportionation/transalkylation/dealkylation while reducing a content of ethylbenzene in the products.