A method of chlorinating an antimony fluorohalide catalyst is disclosed. In one embodiment the method comprises contacting an antimony fluorohalide catalyst that contains one or more fluorines with a regenerating agent selected from 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (1233xf), 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane (250fb), 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb), and combinations of 1233xf, 250fb, and 244bb, under conditions effective to exchange at least one fluorine in the antimony fluorohalide catalyst with chlorine. The method can be used to regenerate spent antimony fluorohalide catalyst, for example regenerating SbCl.sub.5 from SbF.sub.5.

A method of chlorinating an antimony fluorohalide catalyst is disclosed. In one embodiment the method comprises contacting an antimony fluorohalide catalyst that contains one or more fluorines with a regenerating agent selected from 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (1233xf), 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane (250fb), 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb), and combinations of 1233xf, 250fb, and 244bb, under conditions effective to exchange at least one fluorine in the antimony fluorohalide catalyst with chlorine. The method can be used to regenerate spent antimony fluorohalide catalyst, for example regenerating SbCl.sub.5 from SbF.sub.5.

Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. The reaction sites may be according to the general formula M.sub.xO.sub.yAlBr.sub.zX].sup.H.sup.+ where x is one or two; y is one or two; z is one or two; X is selected from Br or Cl; M is Al or Si and one or more of M, O and Al has a molecular bond with the metal oxide support structure.

The preparation of chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as pentachloropropanes, such as 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane, from tetrachloropropanes, such as 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane, in the presence of a polyvalent antimony compound that includes a pentavalent antimony compound, such as antimony pentachloride, is described. Also described are methods for preparing optionally chlorinated alkenes, such as, tetrachloropropenes, from chlorinated alkanes, such as pentachloropropanes, in the presence of ferric chloride and a polyvalent antimony compound that includes a pentavalent antimony compound.

The preparation of chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as pentachloropropanes, such as 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane, from tetrachloropropanes, such as 1,1,1,3-tetrachloropropane, in the presence of a polyvalent antimony compound that includes a pentavalent antimony compound, such as antimony pentachloride, is described. Also described are methods for preparing optionally chlorinated alkenes, such as, tetrachloropropenes, from chlorinated alkanes, such as pentachloropropanes, in the presence of ferric chloride and a polyvalent antimony compound that includes a pentavalent antimony compound.

Silica-coated alumina activator-supports, and catalyst compositions containing these activator-supports, are disclosed. Methods also are provided for preparing silica-coated alumina activator-supports, for preparing catalyst compositions, and for using the catalyst compositions to polymerize olefins.

A process for the production of a chloroalkene that includes contacting a liquid phase chloroalkane with a solid catalyst, a catalyst deposited on a solid substrate, or combinations thereof, thereby causing the dehydrochlorination of the chloroalkane to produce a chloroalkene product and HCl. Processes for the production of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene and 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane are further provided.

A process for the production of a chloroalkene that includes contacting a liquid phase chloroalkane with a solid catalyst, a catalyst deposited on a solid substrate, or combinations thereof, thereby causing the dehydrochlorination of the chloroalkane to produce a chloroalkene product and HCl. Processes for the production of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene and 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane are further provided.

The present invention discloses processes for alkylating an aromatic compound, such as benzene or toluene, using a chemically-treated solid oxide. Suitable chemically-treated solid oxides include fluorided silica-coated alumina and fluorided-chlorided silica-coated alumina.

The present invention discloses processes for alkylating an aromatic compound, such as benzene or toluene, using a chemically-treated solid oxide. Suitable chemically-treated solid oxides include fluorided silica-coated alumina and fluorided-chlorided silica-coated alumina.