A catalytic composition is disclosed, which exhibits an X-ray amorphous oxide with a spinel formula, and crystals of ZnO, CuO, and at least one Group VIB metal oxide, and preferably, at least one acidic oxide of B, P. or Si, as well. The composition is useful in oxidative processes for removing sulfur from gaseous hydrocarbons.

The disclosure provides a method of purifying a linear alpha olefin product, the method including feeding a linear alpha olefin feed stream comprising the linear alpha olefin product and at least one impurity into a distillation column, the distillation column having a plurality of stacked stages; withdrawing a side stream from at least one of said plurality of stacked stages; feeding the side stream into a reactor containing an isomerization catalyst to convert at least a portion of the at least one impurity from a first isomer to a second isomer, producing a reactor product stream having a reduced content of the first isomer; returning the reactor product stream to a stage of the distillation column; and withdrawing an overhead stream from the distillation column comprising the linear alpha olefin product and having a reduced content of the at least one impurity.