Methods for preparing a layered metal nanocomposite and a layered metal nanocomposite. The method includes mixing a magnesium salt and an aluminum salt to form a Mg.sup.2+/Al.sup.3+ solution. The Mg/Al has a molar ratio of between 0.5:1 to 6:1. Then a diamondoid compound is added to the Mg.sup.2+/Al.sup.3+ solution to form a reactant mixture. The diamondoid compound has at least one carboxylic acid moiety. The reactant mixture is heated at a reaction temperature for a reaction time to form a Mg/Al-diamondoid intercalated layered double hydroxide. The Mg/Al-diamondoid intercalated layered double hydroxide is thermally decomposed under a reducing atmosphere for a decomposition time at a decomposition temperature to form the layered metal nanocomposite.

The invention comprises a process for preparing mixtures of DEFI and amide taurate (ATA) having excellent yields of ATA and substantial absence of browning of final ATA and DEFI mixtures. The process permits much greater flexibility in ratios of DEFI to ATA. The invention further relates to mixtures prepared by processes of the invention.

The invention comprises a process for preparing mixtures of DEFI and amide taurate (ATA) having excellent yields of ATA and substantial absence of browning of final ATA and DEFI mixtures. The process permits much greater flexibility in ratios of DEFI to ATA. The invention further relates to mixtures prepared by processes of the invention.

The presently claimed invention provides a tri-metallic layered catalytic article comprising: a) a top layer comprising platinum supported on at least one of an oxygen storage component, zirconia component and an alumina component, and rhodium supported on an oxygen storage component; b) a bottom layer comprising a front zone and a rear zone, said front zone comprising palladium supported on an oxygen storage component and an alumina component, and the rear zone comprises platinum supported on at least one of an alumina component, a ceria component, and an oxygen storage component; and c) a substrate, wherein the weight ratio of palladium to platinum is in the range of 1.0:0.4 to 1.0:2.0.

The presently claimed invention provides a tri-metallic layered catalytic article comprising: a) a top layer comprising platinum supported on at least one of an oxygen storage component, zirconia component and an alumina component, and rhodium supported on an oxygen storage component; b) a bottom layer comprising a front zone and a rear zone, said front zone comprising palladium supported on an oxygen storage component and an alumina component, and the rear zone comprises platinum supported on at least one of an alumina component, a ceria component, and an oxygen storage component; and c) a substrate, wherein the weight ratio of palladium to platinum is in the range of 1.0:0.4 to 1.0:2.0.

A strontium-catalyzed process for preparing boehmite includes combining a strontium material, flash calcined gibbsite, and water to obtain an aqueous suspension; contacting the aqueous suspension with a water-soluble carbonate material; and heating the aqueous suspension to a temperature, and for a time, sufficient to form at least about 5 wt. % of boehmite.

A strontium-catalyzed process for preparing boehmite includes combining a strontium material, flash calcined gibbsite, and water to obtain an aqueous suspension; contacting the aqueous suspension with a water-soluble carbonate material; and heating the aqueous suspension to a temperature, and for a time, sufficient to form at least about 5 wt. % of boehmite.

A process for catalytic cracking of an iron-contaminated fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) feedstock. The process may include combining a FCC catalyst, a slurry containing a magnesium compound, and an iron-contaminated FCC feedstock during a FCC process under fluid catalytic cracking conditions, thereby generating an equilibrium FCC catalyst with reduced iron poisoning. The slurry containing the magnesium compound may not contain a calcium compound.

A process for catalytic cracking of an iron-contaminated fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) feedstock. The process may include combining a FCC catalyst, a slurry containing a magnesium compound, and an iron-contaminated FCC feedstock during a FCC process under fluid catalytic cracking conditions, thereby generating an equilibrium FCC catalyst with reduced iron poisoning. The slurry containing the magnesium compound may not contain a calcium compound.

An oxidation catalyst for treating an exhaust gas from a diesel engine, which oxidation catalyst comprises: a first washcoat region comprising platinum (Pt), manganese (Mn) and a first support material; a second washcoat region comprising a platinum group metal (PGM) and a second support material; and a substrate having an inlet end and an outlet end; wherein the second washcoat region is arranged to contact the exhaust gas at the outlet end of the substrate and after contact of the exhaust gas with the first washcoat region.