A process for oxidizing methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds comprises contacting a mixture comprising isomers of at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound with a source of oxygen, wherein the mixture comprises at least 20 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 2-position or a 3-position on at least one benzene ring and at least 50 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 4-position on at least one benzene ring, wherein said percentages are based on the total weight of the at least one methylbiphenyl compound in the mixture.

Disclosed are processes for conversion of a feedstock comprising C.sub.8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to lighter aromatic products in which the feedstock and optionally hydrogen are contacted in the presence of the catalyst composition under conversion conditions effective to dealkylate and transalkylate said C.sub.8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to produce said lighter aromatic products comprising benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst composition comprises a zeolite, a first metal, and a second metal, and is treated with a source of sulfur and/or a source of steam.

Methods and corresponding catalysts are provided for transalkylation of 1-ring (C.sub.9+) aromatic compounds, such as transalkylation to form para-xylene and/or other xylenes. Suitable catalysts include molecular sieves having a 3-D 12-member ring framework structure, molecular sieves having a 1-D 12-member ring framework structure, acidic microporous materials with a pore channel size of at least 6.0 Angstroms, and/or molecular sieves having a MWW framework structure. The methods include performing transalkylation where at least a portion of the feed to the transalkylation process is in the liquid phase. Optionally, the transalkylation conditions can correspond to conditions where a continuous liquid phase is present within the reaction environment. Some embodiments include liquid phase transalkylation processes for naphthalene-containing feedstock streams.

A catalyst suitable for the conversion of aromatic hydrocarbons is described. The catalyst comprises UZM-54 zeolite; a mordenite zeolite; a binder comprising alumina, silica, or combinations, thereof; and a metal selected from one or more of: Groups VIB(6) VIIB(7), VIII(8-10) and IVA(14) of the Periodic Table. A process for transalkylation using the catalyst is also described.

Integrated systems are provided for the production of higher hydrocarbon compositions, for example liquid hydrocarbon compositions, from methane using an oxidative coupling of methane system to convert methane to ethylene, followed by conversion of ethylene to selectable higher hydrocarbon products. Integrated systems and processes are provided that process methane through to these higher hydrocarbon products.

Disclosed are processes for conversion of a feedstock comprising C.sub.8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to lighter aromatic products in which the feedstock and optionally hydrogen are contacted in the presence of the catalyst composition under conversion conditions effective to dealkylate and transalkylate said C.sub.8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to produce said lighter aromatic products comprising benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst composition comprises a zeolite, a first metal, and a second metal, and is treated with a source of sulfur and/or a source of steam.

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.

Disclosed is a process for producing mixed xylenes and C.sub.9+ hydrocarbons in which an aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising benzene and/or toluene is contacted with an alkylating agent comprising methanol and/or dimethyl ether under alkylation conditions in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce an alkylated aromatic product stream comprising the mixed xylenes and C.sub.9+ hydrocarbons. The mixed xylenes are subsequently converted to para-xylene, and the C.sub.9+ hydrocarbons and its components may be supplied as motor fuels blending components. The alkylation catalyst comprises a molecular sieve having a Constraint Index in the range from greater than zero up to about 3. The molar ratio of aromatic hydrocarbon to alkylating agent is in the range of greater than 1:1 to less than 4:1.

Systems and methods are provided for an improved transalkylation process that better tolerates the presence of C.sub.10+ aromatics and may be conducted substantially in the liquid phase. The transalkylation feedstock may comprise alkyl-substituted benzenes and naphthalene and the transalkylation effluent comprises alkyl-substituted naphthalene and benzene, toluene, and/or xylenes.

A catalyst suitable for the conversion of aromatic hydrocarbons is described. The catalyst comprises UZM-54 zeolite; a mordenite zeolite; a binder comprising alumina, silica, or combinations, thereof; and a metal selected from one or more of: Groups VIB(6) VIIB(7), VIII(8-10) and IVA(14) of the Periodic Table. A process for transalkylation using the catalyst is also described.