A catalyst has a modified silica support and comprises a modifier metal, zirconium and/or hafnium, and a catalytic metal on the modified support. The catalyst has at least a proportion, typically, at least 25%, of modifier metal present in moieties having a total of up to 2 modifier metal atoms. The moieties may be derived from a monomeric and/or dimeric cation source. A method of production:— provides a silica support with isolated silanol groups with optional treatment to provide isolated silanol groups (—SiOH) at a level of <2.5 groups per nm.sup.2; contacting the optionally treated silica support with a monomeric zirconium or hafnium modifier metal compound to effect adsorption onto the support; optionally calcining the modified support for a time and temperature sufficient to convert the monomeric zirconium or hafnium compound adsorbed on the surface to an oxide or hydroxide of zirconium or hafnium in preparation for catalyst impregnation.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of hexamethylenediamine by hydrogenation of adiponitrile in the presence of a Raney nickel catalyst and a basic co-catalyst containing potassium hydroxide, wherein the basic co-catalyst contains a further basic compound selected from the group consisting of alkaline hydroxides, alkaline earth hydroxides and ammonium hydroxides.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of hexamethylenediamine by hydrogenation of adiponitrile in the presence of a Raney nickel catalyst and a basic co-catalyst containing potassium hydroxide, wherein the basic co-catalyst contains a further basic compound selected from the group consisting of alkaline hydroxides, alkaline earth hydroxides and ammonium hydroxides.

A method of making an oxygen storage material (OSM) with developed mesoporosity having a small fraction of pores <10 nm (fresh or aged), and resistance to thermal sintering is provided. This OSM is suitable for use as a catalyst and catalyst support. The method of making this oxygen storage material (OSM) includes the preparation of a solution containing pre-polymerized zirconium oligomers, cerium, rare earth and transition metal salts; the interaction of this solution with a complexing agent that has an affinity towards zirconium; the formation of a zirconium-based precursor; and the co-precipitation of all constituent metal hydroxide with abase.

A method of making an oxygen storage material (OSM) with developed mesoporosity having a small fraction of pores <10 nm (fresh or aged), and resistance to thermal sintering is provided. This OSM is suitable for use as a catalyst and catalyst support. The method of making this oxygen storage material (OSM) includes the preparation of a solution containing pre-polymerized zirconium oligomers, cerium, rare earth and transition metal salts; the interaction of this solution with a complexing agent that has an affinity towards zirconium; the formation of a zirconium-based precursor; and the co-precipitation of all constituent metal hydroxide with abase.

A catalyst composition includes a metal catalyst dispersed in a molten eutectic mixture of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonates or hydroxides. A process for the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons includes contacting in a reactor system a carbon-containing feedstock with at least one catalyst in the presence of oxygen to generate olefinic and/or aromatic compounds; and collecting the olefinic and/or aromatic compounds; wherein: the at least one catalyst includes a metal catalyst dispersed in a molten eutectic mixture of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonates or hydroxides. A process for preparing the catalyst includes mixing metal catalyst precursors selected from transition metal compounds and rare-earth metal compounds and a eutectic mixture of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonates or hydroxides and heating it. A use of the catalyst in the catalytic cracking process of hydrocarbons.

According to the present invention, a fluorine-containing (cyclo)alkenyl zinc halide compound can be obtained in a high yield by reacting a halogenated olefin compound represented by formula (2):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are as defined above, X.sup.2 represents a halogen atom, and a single bond expressed with a wavy line indicates that the steric configuration with respect to a double bond to which the single bond is connected is E configuration, Z configuration, or a mixture of E configuration and Z configuration in any ratio, with a zinc halide compound represented by formula (3): ZnX.sup.1 (3), wherein X.sup.1 is as defined above, in the presence of a zerovalent alkali metal.

A method is for synthesizing an oxetane compound by a microreactor. The synthesis method includes: introducing trimethylolpropane and carbonate into the microreactor in the presence of an alkaline catalyst, and synthesizing the oxetane compound by means of a micro-reaction continuous flow process under an inert solvent or a solvent-free condition. Compared with conventional reactors, the microreactor has the advantages of being high in heat transfer mass transfer coefficient, good in mixing performance, easy to control in temperature, safe and controllable in process. The three oxetane products are produced by utilizing the advantages of the microreactor, thereby greatly improving the mass transfer heat transfer performance of a reaction system, shortening the reaction time, improving the production efficiency, particularly avoiding the long-time high-temperature process in the pyrolysis process, reducing the production of high-boiling-point by-products, improving the yield, realizing continuity and automation of the process, and improving process safety.

A method is for synthesizing an oxetane compound by a microreactor. The synthesis method includes: introducing trimethylolpropane and carbonate into the microreactor in the presence of an alkaline catalyst, and synthesizing the oxetane compound by means of a micro-reaction continuous flow process under an inert solvent or a solvent-free condition. Compared with conventional reactors, the microreactor has the advantages of being high in heat transfer mass transfer coefficient, good in mixing performance, easy to control in temperature, safe and controllable in process. The three oxetane products are produced by utilizing the advantages of the microreactor, thereby greatly improving the mass transfer heat transfer performance of a reaction system, shortening the reaction time, improving the production efficiency, particularly avoiding the long-time high-temperature process in the pyrolysis process, reducing the production of high-boiling-point by-products, improving the yield, realizing continuity and automation of the process, and improving process safety.

A reducing agent for use in production of a product gas containing carbon monoxide, the reducing agent being brought into contact with a raw material gas containing carbon dioxide to reduce the carbon dioxide to produce the product gas; the reducing agent containing an oxygen carrier having oxygen ionic conductivity, and a basic oxide supported on the oxygen carrier. In addition, the basic oxide preferably contains at least one selected from the group consisting of lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), strontium (Sr), and rubidium (Rb). The reducing agent has a high conversion efficiency of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, and can be used, for example, in a chemical looping method, and a method for producing a gas using such a reducing agent.