Layered double hydroxides having a high surface area (at least 125 m.sup.2/g) and the formula (I)
[M.sup.z+.sub.1?xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.a+(X.sup.n?).sub.a/n.sub.+bH.sub.2O.c(AMO-solvent)(I)
wherein M and M are different and each is a charged metal cation (and must be present), z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4, 0<x<0.9, b is 0 to 10, c=0 to 10, X is an anion, n is the charge on the anion, and a=z(1?x)+xy?2; AMO-solvent is aqueous miscible organic solvent, may be prepared by a method which comprises a) precipitating a layered double hydroxide having the formula
[M.sup.z+.sub.1?xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.a+(X.sup.n?).sub.a/n.sub.+bH.sub.2O wherein M, M, z, y, x, a, b and X are as defined above from a solution containing the cations of the metals M and M and the anion X.sup.n?; b) ageing the layered double hydroxide precipitate obtained in step a) in the original solution; c) collecting, then washing the layered double hydroxide precipitate; d) dispersing the wet layered double hydroxide in an AMO solvent so as to produce a slurry of the layered double hydroxide in the solvent; e) maintaining the dispersion obtained in step d); and f) recovering and drying the layered double hydroxide. The high surface area products have low particle size and are particularly suitable for use as catalysts, catalyst supports, sorbents and coatings.

Layered double hydroxides having a high surface area (at least 125 m.sup.2/g) and the formula (I)
[M.sup.z+.sub.1?xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.a+(X.sup.n?).sub.a/n.sub.+bH.sub.2O.c(AMO-solvent)(I)
wherein M and M are different and each is a charged metal cation (and must be present), z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4, 0<x<0.9, b is 0 to 10, c=0 to 10, X is an anion, n is the charge on the anion, and a=z(1?x)+xy?2; AMO-solvent is aqueous miscible organic solvent, may be prepared by a method which comprises a) precipitating a layered double hydroxide having the formula
[M.sup.z+.sub.1?xM.sup.y+.sub.x(OH).sub.2].sup.a+(X.sup.n?).sub.a/n.sub.+bH.sub.2O wherein M, M, z, y, x, a, b and X are as defined above from a solution containing the cations of the metals M and M and the anion X.sup.n?; b) ageing the layered double hydroxide precipitate obtained in step a) in the original solution; c) collecting, then washing the layered double hydroxide precipitate; d) dispersing the wet layered double hydroxide in an AMO solvent so as to produce a slurry of the layered double hydroxide in the solvent; e) maintaining the dispersion obtained in step d); and f) recovering and drying the layered double hydroxide. The high surface area products have low particle size and are particularly suitable for use as catalysts, catalyst supports, sorbents and coatings.

The present invention provides a process for the hydrogenation of the levulinic acid to -valerolactone in a single step with a single Pt supported on hydrotalcite catalyst. The process provides conversion of -valerolactone over Pt supported hydrotalcite catalyst at room temperature (25 C.). The process provides a levulinic acid conversion of 34-100% with 20-50 bar hydrogen pressure to give -valerolactone selectivity up to 99%.

The present invention provides a process for the hydrogenation of the levulinic acid to -valerolactone in a single step with a single Pt supported on hydrotalcite catalyst. The process provides conversion of -valerolactone over Pt supported hydrotalcite catalyst at room temperature (25 C.). The process provides a levulinic acid conversion of 34-100% with 20-50 bar hydrogen pressure to give -valerolactone selectivity up to 99%.

A catalyst system is provided which comprises a solid support material having, on its surface, one or more catalytic transition metal complex wherein the solid support material comprises SiO.sub.2@AMO-LDH microspheres having the formula I: (i) wherein, M.sup.z+ and M.sup.y+ are two different charged metal cations; z=1 or 2; y=3 or 4; 0<x<0.9; b is 0 to 10; c is 0.01 to 10, preferably >0.01 and <10; p>0 q>0; X.sup.n is an anion with n>0, preferably 15a=z(1x)+xy2; and the AMO-solvent is an 100% aqueous miscible organic solvent. Preferably, M in the formula I is Al. Preferably, M in the formula I is Li, Mg or Ca. The catalyst system has use in the polymerisation and/or copolymerisation of at least one olefm to produce a homopolymer and/or copolymer.

A process is described for reducing the total acid number of a refinery feedstock. A refinery feedstock containing naphthenic acids is contacted with an effective amount of solid catalyst that has been pretreated with an aqueous caustic base, for a period of time sufficient to neutralize at least a portion of the naphthenic acids in the feedstock. Thereafter, the aqueous phase is separated from the neutralized refinery feedstock.

Provided is a method for manufacturing nanostructured layered double hydroxides (LDHs) having a uniform size distribution with homogenous nano-disc morphology. Disclosed method has three main steps of: pretreatment of metal wires; wire-explosion in a liquid phase; and finally, centrifugation and drying the as-prepared colloidal products to obtain the LDHs nanostructured dried powder.

Catalyst compositions for production of higher alcohols comprise a hydrotalcite or hydrotalcite-like support impregnated with molybdenum and an alkali metal. When the compositions are used to convert syngas, selectivity to higher (C2+) alcohols is increased in comparison to conversions accomplished over many other catalyst systems.

Catalyst compositions for production of higher alcohols comprise a hydrotalcite or hydrotalcite-like support impregnated with molybdenum and an alkali metal. When the compositions are used to convert syngas, selectivity to higher (C2+) alcohols is increased in comparison to conversions accomplished over many other catalyst systems.

A process is described for reducing the total acid number of a refinery feedstock. In one embodiment, refinery feedstock containing naphthenic acids is contacted with an effective amount of solid catalyst in the presence of an aqueous caustic base, wherein the caustic base is sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, for a period of time sufficient to neutralize at least a portion of the naphthenic acids in the feedstock. Thereafter, the aqueous phase is separated from the neutralized refinery feedstock. In another embodiment catalyst is pretreated with a caustic base solution and contacted with refinery feedstock to reducing the total acid number.