Ebullated bed reactors may be used to synthesize olefin compositions exhibiting low sediment toxicity and favorable pour points. The olefin compositions are formed by isomerizing linear alpha olefins (LAOs) into linear internal olefins (LIOs), skeletal isomerized branched olefins, or any combination thereof. Methods for preparing olefin compositions comprising LIOs and, optionally, branched olefins may comprise: providing an olefinic feed comprising one or more LAOs, and interacting the olefinic feed with a plurality of catalyst particulates in an ebullated bed reactor to form an isomerized product. The catalyst particulates are effective to isomerize the one or more LAOs into one or more of LIOs, skeletal isomerized branched olefins, or combinations thereof. The isomerized product may be incorporated in drilling fluids, particularly those intended for subsea use, due to their favorable environmental profile and low pour points. Some catalyst particulates may produce no more branching than that present in the LAOs.

Methods of preparing an acidic catalyst are disclosed that include heating a metal halide to produce a vapor phase metal halide, contacting an initial support material with the vapor phase metal halide in a reaction vessel causing a first chemical reaction and producing an intermediate acidic catalyst, contacting the intermediate acidic catalyst with HBr causing a second chemical reaction and producing an acidic catalyst product which is both more acidic than the intermediate acidic catalyst and more acidic than the initial support material.

Methods of preparing an acidic catalyst are disclosed that include heating a metal halide to produce a vapor phase metal halide, contacting an initial support material with the vapor phase metal halide in a reaction vessel causing a first chemical reaction and producing an intermediate acidic catalyst, contacting the intermediate acidic catalyst with HBr causing a second chemical reaction and producing an acidic catalyst product which is both more acidic than the intermediate acidic catalyst and more acidic than the initial support material.

The invention relates to a selective hydrogenolysis method for treating a feed rich in aromatic compounds having more than 8 carbon atoms, comprising transforming at least one alkyl group with at least two carbon atoms (ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, etc.) attached to a benzene ring into at least one methyl group. The invention also relates to the integration of the hydrogenolysis unit into an aromatic complex.

The invention relates to a selective hydrogenolysis method for treating a feed rich in aromatic compounds having more than 8 carbon atoms, comprising transforming at least one alkyl group with at least two carbon atoms (ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, etc.) attached to a benzene ring into at least one methyl group. The invention also relates to the integration of the hydrogenolysis unit into an aromatic complex.

Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. Those reaction sites may have multiple bromine atoms bound to an aluminum atom with that aluminum-bromine group having an associated hydrogen ion. Additional structural features of the reaction sites are dictated by the aluminum oxide based catalysts and a silicon oxide based catalyst selected.

Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. Those reaction sites may have multiple bromine atoms bound to an aluminum atom with that aluminum-bromine group having an associated hydrogen ion. Additional structural features of the reaction sites are dictated by the aluminum oxide based catalysts and a silicon oxide based catalyst selected.

Disclosed herein are processes for producing neopentane. The processes generally relate to demethylating neohexane and/or neoheptane to produce neopentane. The neohexane and/or neoheptane may be provided by the isomerization of C.sub.6-C.sub.7 paraffins.

Disclosed herein are processes for producing neopentane. The processes generally relate to demethylating neohexane and/or neoheptane to produce neopentane. The neohexane and/or neoheptane may be provided by the isomerization of C.sub.6-C.sub.7 paraffins.

Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. Those reaction sites may have multiple bromine atoms bound to an aluminum atom with that aluminum-bromine group having an associated hydrogen ion. Additional structural features of the reaction sites are dictated by the aluminum oxide based catalysts and a silicon oxide based catalyst selected.