Methods of simultaneously converting butanes and methanol to olefins over Ti-containing zeolite catalysts are described. The exothermicity of the alcohols to olefins reaction is matched by endothermicity of dehydrogenation reaction of butane(s) to light olefins resulting in a thermo-neutral process. The Ti-containing zeolites provide excellent selectivity to light olefins as well as exceptionally high hydrothermal stability. The coupled reaction may advantageously be conducted in a staged reactor with methanol/DME conversion zones alternating with zones for butane(s) dehydrogenation. The resulting light olefins can then be reacted with iso-butane to produce high-octane alkylate. The net result is a highly efficient and low cost method for converting methanol and butanes to alkylate.

Methods of simultaneously converting butanes and methanol to olefins over Ti-containing zeolite catalysts are described. The exothermicity of the alcohols to olefins reaction is matched by endothermicity of dehydrogenation reaction of butane(s) to light olefins resulting in a thermo-neutral process. The Ti-containing zeolites provide excellent selectivity to light olefins as well as exceptionally high hydrothermal stability. The coupled reaction may advantageously be conducted in a staged reactor with methanol/DME conversion zones alternating with zones for butane(s) dehydrogenation. The resulting light olefins can then be reacted with iso-butane to produce high-octane alkylate. The net result is a highly efficient and low cost method for converting methanol and butanes to alkylate.

A continuous process for the preparation of propylene oxide, comprising providing a liquid feed stream comprising propene, hydrogen peroxide, methanol, water, at least one dissolved potassium salt of hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, and optionally propane; passing the liquid feed stream provided in (i) into an epoxidation reactor comprising a catalyst comprising a titanium zeolite of structure type MFI, and subjecting the liquid feed stream to epoxidation reaction conditions in the epoxidation reactor, obtaining a reaction mixture comprising propylene oxide, methanol, water, and the at least one dissolved potassium salt of hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, and optionally propane; removing an effluent stream from the epoxidation reactor, the effluent stream comprising propylene oxide, methanol, water, at least a portion of the at least one potassium salt of hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, and optionally propane.

A continuous process for the preparation of propylene oxide, comprising providing a liquid feed stream comprising propene, hydrogen peroxide, methanol, water, at least one dissolved potassium salt of hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, and optionally propane; passing the liquid feed stream provided in (i) into an epoxidation reactor comprising a catalyst comprising a titanium zeolite of structure type MFI, and subjecting the liquid feed stream to epoxidation reaction conditions in the epoxidation reactor, obtaining a reaction mixture comprising propylene oxide, methanol, water, and the at least one dissolved potassium salt of hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, and optionally propane; removing an effluent stream from the epoxidation reactor, the effluent stream comprising propylene oxide, methanol, water, at least a portion of the at least one potassium salt of hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, and optionally propane.

According to one or more embodiments, a mesoporous zeolite may included a microporous framework that includes a plurality of micropores having diameters of less than or equal to 2 nm, and a plurality of mesopores having diameters of greater than 2 nm and less than or equal to 50 nm. The mesoporous zeolite may included an aluminosilicate material, a titanosilicate material, or a pure silicate material. The mesoporous zeolite may included a surface area of greater than 350 m.sup.2/g and a pore volume of greater than 0.3 cm.sup.3/g.

According to one or more embodiments, a mesoporous zeolite may included a microporous framework that includes a plurality of micropores having diameters of less than or equal to 2 nm, and a plurality of mesopores having diameters of greater than 2 nm and less than or equal to 50 nm. The mesoporous zeolite may included an aluminosilicate material, a titanosilicate material, or a pure silicate material. The mesoporous zeolite may included a surface area of greater than 350 m.sup.2/g and a pore volume of greater than 0.3 cm.sup.3/g.

A method of using biopolymer to synthesize titanium-containing silicon oxide material and applications includes mixing a titanium source, a silicon source, an acid source, a base source, a biopolymer and a solvent to form an aqueous solution, and letting the aqueous solution react to form a semi-product; performing aging, solid-liquid separation and drying of the semi-product to obtain a dried solid; and performing calcination or extraction of the dried solid to obtain a titanium-containing silicon oxide material with a high specific surface area. The present invention adopts a biopolymer as the templating agent, which makes the fabrication process of titanium-containing silicon oxide material more environment-friendly. After calcination or extraction, the product still has superior catalytic activity, able to catalyze epoxidation of olefins and favorable for the production of epoxide.

A method of using biopolymer to synthesize titanium-containing silicon oxide material and applications includes mixing a titanium source, a silicon source, an acid source, a base source, a biopolymer and a solvent to form an aqueous solution, and letting the aqueous solution react to form a semi-product; performing aging, solid-liquid separation and drying of the semi-product to obtain a dried solid; and performing calcination or extraction of the dried solid to obtain a titanium-containing silicon oxide material with a high specific surface area. The present invention adopts a biopolymer as the templating agent, which makes the fabrication process of titanium-containing silicon oxide material more environment-friendly. After calcination or extraction, the product still has superior catalytic activity, able to catalyze epoxidation of olefins and favorable for the production of epoxide.

Processes for converting glucose to sorbose with tailored selectivity. The processes include contacting glucose with a silica-containing structure that includes a zeolite having a topology of a 10-membered ring or smaller and Lewis acidic M.sup.4+ framework centers, wherein M is Ti, Sn, Zr, or Hf. Contacting the glucose is conducted under reaction conditions sufficient to isomerize the glucose to sorbose.

Processes for converting glucose to sorbose with tailored selectivity. The processes include contacting glucose with a silica-containing structure that includes a zeolite having a topology of a 10-membered ring or smaller and Lewis acidic M.sup.4+ framework centers, wherein M is Ti, Sn, Zr, or Hf. Contacting the glucose is conducted under reaction conditions sufficient to isomerize the glucose to sorbose.