A method is disclosed for the activation of transition-metal containing phyllosilicate structures and uses of the activated phyllosilicates. The process of activation either liberates a proton or an entire hydroxyl group from the structure, creating a material with a mixed-valence state that can oxidize alcohols to aldehydes and ketones.

The present disclosure describes a method of synthesizing carbodiimides comprising providing an alkylisothiourea, providing a thiophilic reagent to the reaction mixture and reacting under conditions sufficient to provide the carbodiimide, and wherein the carbodiimide is a polycarbodiimide or a biscarbodiimide. The present disclosure further describes methods for isolating the carbodiimides. The present disclosure additionally describes isolated carbodiimide compositions.

A catalytic composition useful for the conversion of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof. The catalytic composition comprises a complex of metal oxides comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium and other promoters, with a desirable composition.

A catalytic composition useful for the conversion of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof. The catalytic composition comprises a complex of metal oxides comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium and other promoters, with a desirable composition.

A catalyst for a fluidized bed ammoxidation reaction containing silica and a metal oxide, wherein a composite of the silica and the metal oxide is represented by the following formula (1).

Mo.sub.12Bi.sub.aFe.sub.bNi.sub.cCo.sub.dCe.sub.eCr.sub.fX.sub.gO.sub.h/(SiO.sub.2).sub.A (1) (in formula (1), X represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of K, Rb, and Cs, 0.1?a?1, 1?b?3, 1?c?6.5, 1?d?6.5, 0.2?e?1.2, f?0.05, and 0.05?g?1 are satisfied, h satisfies valences of constituent elements excluding silica, A represents a content of silica (% by mass) and satisfies 35?A?48, and values of ?, ?, and ? calculated from the following expressions (2), (3), and (4) satisfy 0.03???0.08, 0.2???0.4, and 0.5???2.)

?=1.5a/(1.5(b+f)+c+d) (2)

?=1.5(b+f)/(c+d) (3)

?=d/c (4)

A catalyst for a fluidized bed ammoxidation reaction containing silica and a metal oxide, wherein a composite of the silica and the metal oxide is represented by the following formula (1).

Mo.sub.12Bi.sub.aFe.sub.bNi.sub.cCo.sub.dCe.sub.eCr.sub.fX.sub.gO.sub.h/(SiO.sub.2).sub.A (1) (in formula (1), X represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of K, Rb, and Cs, 0.1?a?1, 1?b?3, 1?c?6.5, 1?d?6.5, 0.2?e?1.2, f?0.05, and 0.05?g?1 are satisfied, h satisfies valences of constituent elements excluding silica, A represents a content of silica (% by mass) and satisfies 35?A?48, and values of ?, ?, and ? calculated from the following expressions (2), (3), and (4) satisfy 0.03???0.08, 0.2???0.4, and 0.5???2.)

?=1.5a/(1.5(b+f)+c+d) (2)

?=1.5(b+f)/(c+d) (3)

?=d/c (4)

Mixed metal oxide catalysts capable of catalyzing hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol reaction are disclosed, as well as a method for producing methanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The mixed metal oxide catalysts include copper (Cu), and M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 oxides. M.sup.1 can be zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), or cerium (Ce), or any combination thereof, and M.sup.2 can be yttrium (Y), barium (Ba), rubidium (Rb), terbium (Tb), strontium (Sr), or molybdenum (Mo), or any combination thereof, with the proviso that M.sup.2 is not Y when the mixed metal oxide catalyst is [Cu/Zn/M.sup.2]0.sub.n or [Cu/Zr/M]0.sub.n, where n is determined by the oxidation states of the other elements.

Mixed metal oxide catalysts capable of catalyzing hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol reaction are disclosed, as well as a method for producing methanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The mixed metal oxide catalysts include copper (Cu), and M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 oxides. M.sup.1 can be zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), or cerium (Ce), or any combination thereof, and M.sup.2 can be yttrium (Y), barium (Ba), rubidium (Rb), terbium (Tb), strontium (Sr), or molybdenum (Mo), or any combination thereof, with the proviso that M.sup.2 is not Y when the mixed metal oxide catalyst is [Cu/Zn/M.sup.2]0.sub.n or [Cu/Zr/M]0.sub.n, where n is determined by the oxidation states of the other elements.

The present disclosure provides methods for fabricating catalysts for ammonia decomposition. The method may comprise (a) subjecting a catalyst support to one or more physical or chemical processes to optimize one or more pores, morphologies, and/or surface chemistry or property of the catalyst support; (b) depositing a composite support material on the catalyst support, wherein the composite support material comprises a morphology or surface chemistry or property; and (c) depositing one or more active metals on at least one of the composite support material and the catalyst support, wherein the one or more active metals comprise one or more nanoparticles configured to conform to the morphology of the composite support material and/or catalyst support material, thereby optimizing one or more active sites on the nanoparticles for ammonia processing.

A catalytic composition and process useful for the conversion of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and acetonitrile and mixtures thereof, wherein the catalyst exhibiting increased selectivity to hydrogen cyanide compared to prior art catalysts.