Methods for making acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof by contacting a feed stream containing lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof with a molten salt catalyst comprising an ionic liquid (IL) and an acid in liquid phase are provided.

A chiral catalyst represented by formula (II) is provided. In formula (II), Y independently includes hydrogen, fluorine, trifluoromethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, C.sub.mH.sub.2m+1 or OC.sub.mH.sub.2m+1, wherein m=1-10 and n=1-10. A heterogeneous chiral catalyst is also provided. The heterogeneous chiral catalyst includes the chiral catalyst represented by formula (II), and a substrate connected to the chiral catalyst. ##STR00001##

A chiral catalyst represented by formula (II) is provided. In formula (II), Y independently includes hydrogen, fluorine, trifluoromethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, C.sub.mH.sub.2m+1 or OC.sub.mH.sub.2m+1, wherein m=1-10 and n=1-10. A heterogeneous chiral catalyst is also provided. The heterogeneous chiral catalyst includes the chiral catalyst represented by formula (II), and a substrate connected to the chiral catalyst. ##STR00001##

A chiral catalyst represented by formula (II) is provided. In formula (II), Y independently includes hydrogen, fluorine, trifluoromethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, C.sub.mH.sub.2m+1 or OC.sub.mH.sub.2m+1, wherein m=1-10 and n=1-10. A heterogeneous chiral catalyst is also provided. The heterogeneous chiral catalyst includes the chiral catalyst represented by formula (II), and a substrate connected to the chiral catalyst.

##STR00001##

A chiral catalyst represented by formula (II) is provided. In formula (II), Y independently includes hydrogen, fluorine, trifluoromethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, C.sub.mH.sub.2m+1 or OC.sub.mH.sub.2m+1, wherein m=1-10 and n=1-10. A heterogeneous chiral catalyst is also provided. The heterogeneous chiral catalyst includes the chiral catalyst represented by formula (II), and a substrate connected to the chiral catalyst.

##STR00001##

A composition and method of making such a composition that has application in the hydroprocessing of hydrocarbon feedstocks. The method comprises selecting an organic additive by the use of a correlation model for predicting catalytic activity as a function of a physical property that is associated with the organic additive and incorporating the organic additive into a support material to provide the additive impregnated composition.

A composition and method of making such a composition that has application in the hydroprocessing of hydrocarbon feedstocks. The method comprises selecting an organic additive by the use of a correlation model for predicting catalytic activity as a function of a physical property that is associated with the organic additive and incorporating the organic additive into a support material to provide the additive impregnated composition.

A process for dehydrating methanol to dimethyl ether product in the presence of a solid Brønsted acid catalyst which is an aluminosilicate zeolite or a heteropolyacid and a promoter which is (i) a ketone of formula R.sup.1COR.sup.2 (Formula I) in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical or different and are each a C.sub.1-C.sub.11 alkyl group and furthermore R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with the carbonyl carbon atom to which they are bonded may form a cyclic ketone; or (ii) a ketal derivative of a ketone of Formula I; and the molar ratio of promoter to methanol is maintained at 0.5 or less.

A process for dehydrating methanol to dimethyl ether product in the presence of a solid Brønsted acid catalyst which is an aluminosilicate zeolite or a heteropolyacid and a promoter which is (i) a ketone of formula R.sup.1COR.sup.2 (Formula I) in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical or different and are each a C.sub.1-C.sub.11 alkyl group and furthermore R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with the carbonyl carbon atom to which they are bonded may form a cyclic ketone; or (ii) a ketal derivative of a ketone of Formula I; and the molar ratio of promoter to methanol is maintained at 0.5 or less.

This invention is related to the synthesis of organic carbonates from carbon dioxide and epoxides. It is particularly focused on the production of propylene cyclic carbonate from propylene oxide. The proposed catalytic materials includes a support made of aluminum oxyhydroxide (Catapal B®), nitric acid, acetic acid and/or phosphoric acid. An important stage is the physical and chemical conditioning of the catalytic materials and to this end, experimental methodologies such as spheronization and thermal treatments were implemented prior the evaluation process.