Provided herein are processes for ethylene oligomerization in the presence of an ionic liquid catalyst and a co-catalyst to produce a hydrocarbon product comprising C.sub.10-C.sub.55 oligomers.

The present invention discloses a method for preparing p-hydroxycinnamate by using an ionic liquid for catalytic lignin depolymerization comprising: 1) preparation of a halogen metal-based ionic liquid: preparing the halogen metal-based ionic liquid by reacting an alkylimidazole chloride with a metal chloride by heating the same to 30 C. to 80 C. with stirring; and 2) catalytic depolymerization of lignin: mixing the halogen metal-based ionic liquid and lignin with an alcohol, and after N.sub.2 replacement, heating the solution to 140 C. to 200 C. and reacting the solution for 4-8 h while stirring to prepare high value-added chemicals with p-hydroxycinnamate as a main product. The present invention has advantages of a simple process, mild conditions, environmental kindness, and high selectivity for a main product. The ionic liquid is simple in preparation, has a good atom economy, and is recyclable. Under optimal conditions, the yield of p-hydroxycinnamate can reach 40-80 mg/g.

The present invention describes an extractive oxidation process for removing contaminants from hydrocarbon streams using an ionic liquid combined with an organometallic ionic complex of iron(II), which comprises a complex of iron(II) cation with an ionophilic binder, catalyst of iron(II) with ionophilic binder in its molecular structure, oxidation of which is performed with an oxidizing agent and is catalysed by the organometallic iron(II) complex present in the phase of the ionic liquid.

Besides maintaining its characteristics of selective solvent of oxidizing compounds, the ionic liquid combined with the organometallic complex of iron(II) with catalytic ionophilic binder of the oxidizing agent, stimulating the reactive phenomenon taking place in the ionic liquid phase, with the effect that the iron remains stable in the ionic liquid phase, without being leached into the oily phase. This measure results in a considerable improvement in removal of the heteroatoms from the hydrocarbon medium.

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.

Processes for regenerating ionic liquid catalyst in which reaction vessel is operated under conditions sufficient to perform, in the presence of an ionic liquid catalyst, a hydrocarbon conversion reaction and provide a reaction effluent. The reaction effluent is separated into a hydrocarbon phase and a spent ionic liquid catalyst, wherein the spent ionic liquid catalyst includes conjunct polymer. The spent ionic liquid catalyst is contacted with hydrogen in a regeneration zone at conditions sufficient to reduce an amount of conjunct polymer in the spent ionic liquid catalyst to provide a regenerated effluent. The regenerated effluent is separated into a liquid phase comprising regenerated ionic liquid catalyst and a vapor phase comprising hydrogen and hydrogen chloride. The hydrocarbon phase is separated into a plurality of liquid hydrocarbon streams. The vapor phase is isolated from the liquid hydrocarbon streams. Alkylation processes are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a method for generating oxygen, comprising providing at least one oxygen source, providing at least one ionic liquid, the ionic liquid comprising a cation and an anion, wherein the oxygen source is a hydrogen peroxide adduct compound which is at least partially soluble in the ionic liquid, the ionic liquid is in the liquid state at least in a temperature range from 10 C. to +50 C., and the anion is selected from metallate anions, and contacting the oxygen source and the ionic liquid.

A pyridine based ionic liquid with a fluoride counter anion which catalyzes Fischer indole reaction and click chemistry. Methods of preparing the ionic liquid, and methods of utilizing the ionic liquid as a catalyst to synthesize indoles/indolenines and tetrazoles are also provided.

An electrochernical cell comprises a first electrode having a first inner surface; a second electrode having a second inner surface, the second inner surface facing the first inner surface; a nanostructured material positioned on at least one of the first inner surface and second inner surface; and an ionic liquid positioned between the first inner surface and the second inner surface, the ionic liquid being in electrical communication with the first electrode and second electrode.

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.

Processes for regenerating ionic liquid catalyst in which reaction vessel is operated under conditions sufficient to perform, in the presence of an ionic liquid catalyst, a hydrocarbon conversion reaction and provide a reaction effluent. The reaction effluent is separated into a hydrocarbon phase and a spent ionic liquid catalyst, wherein the spent ionic liquid catalyst includes conjunct polymer. The spent ionic liquid catalyst is contacted with hydrogen in a regeneration zone at conditions sufficient to reduce an amount of conjunct polymer in the spent ionic liquid catalyst to provide a regenerated effluent. The regenerated effluent is separated into a liquid phase comprising regenerated ionic liquid catalyst and a vapor phase comprising hydrogen and hydrogen chloride. The hydrocarbon phase is separated into a plurality of liquid hydrocarbon streams. The vapor phase is isolated from the liquid hydrocarbon streams. Alkylation processes are also disclosed.