Improved catalytic materials for and methods of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of short chain alkanes or ethylbenzene to the corresponding olefins are disclosed. The disclosed methods use catalysts made by impregnating boron onto the surface of oxidized amorphous carbon, and result in higher selectivity and a lower induction period than methods using conventional ODH catalysts.

Disclosed herein are methods for the preparation of porous metal oxide materials, including metal oxide xerogels and metal oxide aerogels. Methods for preparing porous metal oxide materials can comprise (i) reacting a metal alkoxide with water in the presence of a catalyst system to form a partially hydrolyzed sol, (ii) contacting the partially hydrolyzed sol with a base catalyst and a non-aqueous solvent to form a precursor gel; and (iii) drying the precursor gel to form the porous metal oxide material. The catalyst system employed in step (i) comprises a combination of a weak acid and a strong acid.

Disclosed herein are methods for the preparation of porous metal oxide materials, including metal oxide xerogels and metal oxide aerogels. Methods for preparing porous metal oxide materials can comprise (i) reacting a metal alkoxide with water in the presence of a catalyst system to form a partially hydrolyzed sol, (ii) contacting the partially hydrolyzed sol with a base catalyst and a non-aqueous solvent to form a precursor gel; and (iii) drying the precursor gel to form the porous metal oxide material. The catalyst system employed in step (i) comprises a combination of a weak acid and a strong acid.

Provided are a hydrogenation reaction catalyst and a preparation method therefor, and more particularly, to a hydrogenation reaction catalyst including sulfur as a promoter, thereby selectively hydrogenating an olefin by changing a relative hydrogenation rate of the olefin and an aromatic group during a hydrogenation reaction of an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound containing an aromatic group, and a preparation method therefor.

Catalysts for the dehydration of lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof to acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof in liquid phase comprising an ionic liquid (IL) and an acid are provided.

Catalysts for the dehydration of lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof to acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof in liquid phase comprising an ionic liquid (IL) and an acid are provided.

Zn.sub.xZr.sub.yO.sub.z mixed oxide catalysts having improved stability for the conversion of ethanol to isobutene are described, together with methods for making such catalysts.

A catalyst system for a liquid phase carbonylation reaction comprising a homogeneous acid catalyst component and a porous solid component, in particular for use in the formation of glycolic acid by carbonylation of formaldehyde. The homogeneous acid catalyst component is, for instance, sulphuric acid while the solid component can be unfunctionalized silica. A process for the carbonylation of an aldehyde to form a carboxylic acid or derivative thereof is also described. The process comprises the steps of contacting the catalyst with carbon monoxide, water and the aldehyde.

A catalyst system for a liquid phase carbonylation reaction comprising a homogeneous acid catalyst component and a porous solid component, in particular for use in the formation of glycolic acid by carbonylation of formaldehyde. The homogeneous acid catalyst component is, for instance, sulphuric acid while the solid component can be unfunctionalized silica. A process for the carbonylation of an aldehyde to form a carboxylic acid or derivative thereof is also described. The process comprises the steps of contacting the catalyst with carbon monoxide, water and the aldehyde.

Catalysts for the dehydration of lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof to acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof in liquid phase comprising an ionic liquid (IL) and an acid are provided.