Aromatic compositions useful in various applications, such as aromatic fluid solvents and high temperature heat transfer fluids, are provided herein. Also provided are advantageous methods for obtaining the aromatic compositions, utilizing hydroalkylation of precursor aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and the like. Particularly preferred aromatic compositions include one or more of cycloalkylaromatic, dicycloalkylaromatic, biphenyl, terphenyl, and diphenyl oxide compounds. The aromatic compositions may be blended with an aromatic solvent or other aromatic fluid comprising one or more of alkylnaphthalenes, alkylbenzenes, and naphthalene, e.g., to form a useful aromatic fluid solvent, or the aromatic compositions may be utilized as high temperature heat transfer fluids (with or without additional blend components).

The invention relates to polyoxometalates represented by the formula (A.sub.n).sup.m+[MM.sub.12O.sub.y(RCOO).sub.zH.sub.q].sup.m or solvates thereof, corresponding supported polyoxometalates, and processes for their preparation, as well as corresponding metal clusters, optionally in the form of a dispersion in a liquid carrier medium or immobilized on a solid support, and processes for their preparation, as well as their use in reductive conversion of organic substrate.

The invention relates to polyoxometalates represented by the formula (A.sub.n).sup.m+[MM.sub.12O.sub.y(RCOO).sub.zH.sub.q].sup.m or solvates thereof, corresponding supported polyoxometalates, and processes for their preparation, as well as corresponding metal clusters, optionally in the form of a dispersion in a liquid carrier medium or immobilized on a solid support, and processes for their preparation, as well as their use in reductive conversion of organic substrate.

Compounds for the treatment of hyperglycemia and/or diabetes are provided. The compounds, which inhibit the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP-4), are based on the structure ##STR00001##
where X may be present or absent an may be OH, Ar is an aryl group; and n ranges from 0 to 5.

A supported catalyst, its method of preparation and use in hydrogenation methods, which catalyst contains an oxide substrate that is for the most part calcined aluminum and an active phase that contains nickel, with the nickel content between 5 and 65% by weight in relation to the total mass of the catalyst, with the active phase not containing a metal from group VIB, the nickel particles having a diameter that is less than or equal to 20 nm, the catalyst having a median mesopore diameter of between 14 nm and 30 nm, a median macropore diameter of between 50 and 200 nm, a mesopore volume that is measured by mercury porosimetry that is greater than or equal to 0.40 mL/g, and a total pore volume that is measured by mercury porosimetry that is greater than or equal to 0.42 mL/g.

A supported catalyst, its method of preparation and use in hydrogenation methods, which catalyst contains an oxide substrate that is for the most part calcined aluminum and an active phase that contains nickel, with the nickel content between 5 and 65% by weight in relation to the total mass of the catalyst, with the active phase not containing a metal from group VIB, the nickel particles having a diameter that is less than or equal to 20 nm, the catalyst having a median mesopore diameter of between 14 nm and 30 nm, a median macropore diameter of between 50 and 200 nm, a mesopore volume that is measured by mercury porosimetry that is greater than or equal to 0.40 mL/g, and a total pore volume that is measured by mercury porosimetry that is greater than or equal to 0.42 mL/g.

A process for hydrogenation of an aromatic hydrocarbon including introducing a hydrocarbon feed comprising the aromatic hydrocarbon, a hydrogen feed comprising hydrogen, and a hydrogenation catalyst into a hydrogenation reactor operable with a liquid phase and a gas phase to produce a hydrogenation product; removing a gas phase product stream comprising the hydrogenation product; withdrawing a portion of the liquid phase; subjecting the withdrawn portion to heat exchange to provide a reduced-temperature withdrawn portion; introducing the reduced-temperature withdrawn portion back into the hydrogenation reactor; and at least one of: (a) providing at least two heat exchangers to effect the subjecting of the withdrawn portion of the liquid phase to heat exchange; (b) separating a decomposition product of the hydrogenation catalyst, the hydrogenation catalyst, or both, from the withdrawn portion of the liquid phase prior to the heat exchange; and (c) reducing exposure of the hydrogenation catalyst to an oxygen-containing species.

A process for hydrogenation of an aromatic hydrocarbon including introducing a hydrocarbon feed comprising the aromatic hydrocarbon, a hydrogen feed comprising hydrogen, and a hydrogenation catalyst into a hydrogenation reactor operable with a liquid phase and a gas phase to produce a hydrogenation product; removing a gas phase product stream comprising the hydrogenation product; withdrawing a portion of the liquid phase; subjecting the withdrawn portion to heat exchange to provide a reduced-temperature withdrawn portion; introducing the reduced-temperature withdrawn portion back into the hydrogenation reactor; and at least one of: (a) providing at least two heat exchangers to effect the subjecting of the withdrawn portion of the liquid phase to heat exchange; (b) separating a decomposition product of the hydrogenation catalyst, the hydrogenation catalyst, or both, from the withdrawn portion of the liquid phase prior to the heat exchange; and (c) reducing exposure of the hydrogenation catalyst to an oxygen-containing species.

Provided herein are methods for producing cyclic and acyclic ketones from trimerization and dimerization of alkyl ketones, including for example methyl ketones. Such cyclic and acyclic ketones may be suitable for use as fuel and lubricant precursors, and may be hydrodeoxygenated to form their corresponding cycloalkanes and alkanes. Such cycloalkanes and alkanes may be suitable for use as fuels, including jet fuels, and lubricants.

Provided herein are methods for producing cyclic and acyclic ketones from trimerization and dimerization of alkyl ketones, including for example methyl ketones. Such cyclic and acyclic ketones may be suitable for use as fuel and lubricant precursors, and may be hydrodeoxygenated to form their corresponding cycloalkanes and alkanes. Such cycloalkanes and alkanes may be suitable for use as fuels, including jet fuels, and lubricants.