A process is disclosed for opening naphthenic rings of naphthenic ring-containing compounds. Naphthene ring opening is achieved using a self-supported mixed metal sulfide catalyst comprising nickel sulfide, molybdenum sulfide, tungsten sulfide and an organic complexing agent. The catalyst is characterized as having a composition of metal components, in terms of molar ratios; as follows: 0.25Ni/(Ni+Mo+W)0.80; 0<Mo/(Ni+Mo+W)0.25; 0.12W/(Ni+Mo+W)0.50; and 1.5W/Mo3.0.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing cyclohexane from methylcyclopentane (MCP) and benzene. In the context of the present invention, MCP and benzene are constituents of a hydrocarbon mixture (HM1) additionally comprising dimethylpentanes (DMP), possibly cyclohexane and possibly at least one compound (low boiler) selected from acyclic C.sub.5-C.sub.6-alkanes and cyclopentane. First of all, benzene is converted in a hydrogenation step to cyclohexane (that present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM2)), while MCP is isomerized in the presence of a catalyst, preferably of an acidic ionic liquid, to cyclohexane. After the hydrogenation but prior to the isomerization the dimethylpentanes (DMP) are removed, with initial removal of the cyclohexane present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM2) together with DMP. This cyclohexane already present prior to the isomerization can be separated again from DMP in a downstream rectification step and isolated and/or recycled into the process for cyclohexane preparation. Between the DMP removal and MCP isomerizationif low boilers are present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM1)low boilers are, optionally removed. After the isomerization, the cyclohexane is isolated, optionally with return of unisomerized MCP and optionally of low boilers. Preferably, cyclohexane and/or low boilers are present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM1), and so a low boiler removal is preferably conducted between the DMP removal from isomerization. It is additionally preferable that the removal of the cyclohexane from DMP is additionally conducted, meaning that the cyclohexane component which arises in the benzene hydrogenation and may be present in the starting mixture (HM1) is isolated and hence recovered.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing cyclohexane from methylcyclopentane (MCP) and benzene. In the context of the present invention, MCP and benzene are constituents of a hydrocarbon mixture (HM1) additionally comprising dimethylpentanes (DMP), possibly cyclohexane and possibly at least one compound (low boiler) selected from acyclic C.sub.5-C.sub.6-alkanes and cyclopentane. First of all, benzene is converted in a hydrogenation step to cyclohexane (that present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM2)), while MCP is isomerized in the presence of a catalyst, preferably of an acidic ionic liquid, to cyclohexane. After the hydrogenation but prior to the isomerization the dimethylpentanes (DMP) are removed, with initial removal of the cyclohexane present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM2) together with DMP. This cyclohexane already present prior to the isomerization can be separated again from DMP in a downstream rectification step and isolated and/or recycled into the process for cyclohexane preparation. Between the DMP removal and MCP isomerizationif low boilers are present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM1)low boilers are, optionally removed. After the isomerization, the cyclohexane is isolated, optionally with return of unisomerized MCP and optionally of low boilers. Preferably, cyclohexane and/or low boilers are present in the hydrocarbon mixture (HM1), and so a low boiler removal is preferably conducted between the DMP removal from isomerization. It is additionally preferable that the removal of the cyclohexane from DMP is additionally conducted, meaning that the cyclohexane component which arises in the benzene hydrogenation and may be present in the starting mixture (HM1) is isolated and hence recovered.

The invention relates to a method for producing limonene comprising or consisting of the following steps: (a) providing beta-pinene or a beta-pinene containing starting material: (b) admixing the starting material with a catalytically effective amount of a MWW-type zeolite: (C) heating the reaction mixture to a temperature in the range of between 60 and 100 C.; and optionally (d) separating the limonene or a limonene-enriched fraction from the sump.

The invention relates to a method for producing limonene comprising or consisting of the following steps: (a) providing beta-pinene or a beta-pinene containing starting material: (b) admixing the starting material with a catalytically effective amount of a MWW-type zeolite: (C) heating the reaction mixture to a temperature in the range of between 60 and 100 C.; and optionally (d) separating the limonene or a limonene-enriched fraction from the sump.

A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.

A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.

A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.

A method of preparing an aromatization catalyst comprising contacting a zeolitic support with a metal-containing compound and a boron-containing compound to produce an impregnated support, and contacting the impregnated support with an activating composition to produce an aromatization catalyst, wherein the activating composition comprises a chlorine-containing compound and a fluorine-containing compound, and wherein the impregnated support is heated in the presence of the activating composition to a temperature in the range of from about 100 C. to about 500 C.

A method of preparing an aromatization catalyst comprising contacting a zeolitic support with a metal-containing compound and a boron-containing compound to produce an impregnated support, and contacting the impregnated support with an activating composition to produce an aromatization catalyst, wherein the activating composition comprises a chlorine-containing compound and a fluorine-containing compound, and wherein the impregnated support is heated in the presence of the activating composition to a temperature in the range of from about 100 C. to about 500 C.