The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing high-reactivity isobutene homo- or copolymers with a content of terminal vinylidene double bonds per polyisobutene chain end of at least 70 mol %. The present invention further relates to novel isobutene polymers.

Provided is a hydro-regeneration catalyst system, comprising: (a) a first graded bed comprising a guard bed material; and (b) a second graded bed, fluidly connected to the first graded bed, comprising a noble metal catalyst on a support having mesopores and macropores; wherein the noble metal catalyst has an average pore diameter of 20 to 1,000 nm (0.02 to 1 μm), a total pore volume of greater than 0.80 cc/g, and a macropore volume of 0.10 to 0.50 cc/g. Also provided is a guard bed system, comprising: (a) a first guard bed comprising a first adsorbent having 10 μm or larger pores with an average pore diameter of 100 to 1,000 μm; and (b) a second guard bed fluidly connected to the first guard bed, comprising a second adsorbent material having mesopores and macropores with a second average pore diameter of 20 to 1,000 nm.

The present disclosure relates to methods for selectively hydrogenating acetylene, to methods for starting up a selective hydrogenation reactor, and to hydrogenation catalysts useful in such methods. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a variety of methods for starting up reactors for use in methods for selectively hydrogenating acetylene using a catalyst composition comprises a porous support, palladium, and one or more ionic liquids.

Processes for regenerating ionic liquid catalyst by contacting the ionic liquid catalyst with hydrogen gas in a regeneration reactor. The amount of hydrogen is less than 550 SCF/BBL (97.96 m.sup.3/m.sup.3) of spent ionic liquid catalyst, or less than 500 SCF/BBL (89.05 m.sup.3/m.sup.3) of spent ionic liquid catalyst, or between 550 and 45 SCF/BBL (97.96 and 8.015 m.sup.3/m.sup.3) of spent ionic liquid catalyst, or between 500 and 50 SCF/BBL (89.05 and 8.905 m.sup.3/m.sup.3) of spent ionic liquid catalyst. Alkylation processes are also disclosed.

Disclosed herein is a photocatalytic filter, which includes a plurality of cross-linked polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)/ionic liquid (IL)/TiO.sub.2 nanocomposite pellets, and a photocatalytic vessel. The plurality of cross-linked PMMA/IL/TiO.sub.2 nanocomposite pellets is placed within the photocatalytic vessel. Each cross-linked PMMA/IL/TiO.sub.2 nanocomposite pellet includes a PMMA polymeric matrix, and a plurality of IL/TiO.sub.2 core-shell microspheres dispersed within the PMMA polymeric matrix. Moreover, each IL/TiO.sub.2 core-shell microsphere includes a core of IL and a shell of TiO.sub.2 nanoparticles.

A process utilizing a micro-emulsion is described. The micro-emulsion formed by contacting an ionic liquid, a co-solvent, a hydrocarbon, an optional surfactant, and an optional catalyst promoter to form the micro-emulsion. The micro-emulsion comprises a hydrocarbon component comprising the hydrocarbon and an ionic liquid component comprising the ionic liquid. The ionic liquid comprises a halometallate anion and a cation. The co-solvent has a polarity greater than a polarity of the hydrocarbon. The ionic liquid is present in an amount of 0.05 wt % to 40 wt % of the micro-emulsion. A product mixture comprising a product is produced in a process zone containing the micro-emulsion.

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 method of preparing bio-polyols from epoxidized fatty acid esters, wherein the bio-polyols are synthesized via hydroxylation with epoxidized fatty acid esters and ring-opening reagent, using the acidic ionic liquids as catalysts. The bio-polyols are used to synthesize bio-polyurethane and bio-polyurethane foams. The acidic ionic liquids in this process is used in esterification, epoxidation, and ring-opening reaction to synthesize bio-polyols. The ionic liquids catalysts have several advantages such as easy to separate, reusable, and may reduce pollution.

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 separation vessel for separating an effluent stream that comprises a mixture of hydrocarbons and ionic liquid. The separation vessels may be vertically orientated. Ionic liquid is utilized to remove entrained ionic liquid droplets form rising hydrocarbons within the separation zone. The ionic liquid may be provided with a stream of the ionic liquid from the separation vessel. The ionic liquid may be provided as a layer or travel counter-current to the hydrocarbons rising in the separation vessel.