The present invention relates, at least in part, to a process for making chlorotrifluoroethylene (CFO-1113) from 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123a). In certain aspects, the process includes dehydrochlorinating 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123a) in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of (i) one or more metal halides; (ii) one or more halogenated metal oxides; (iii) one or more zero-valent metals or metal alloys; (iv) combinations thereof.

A catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane with an empirical formula Mo—V—Te—Nb—Pd—O produced using a process comprising impregnation of the Pd component on the surface of the catalyst following a calcination step using a Pd compound free of halogens. The resulting catalyst can be used in both diluted and undiluted ODH processes and shows higher than expected activity without any loss of selectivity.

A catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane with an empirical formula Mo—V—Te—Nb—Pd—O produced using a process comprising impregnation of the Pd component on the surface of the catalyst following a calcination step using a Pd compound free of halogens. The resulting catalyst can be used in both diluted and undiluted ODH processes and shows higher than expected activity without any loss of selectivity.

A NO.sub.x adsorber catalyst and its use in an emission treatment system for internal combustion engines, is disclosed. The NO.sub.x adsorber catalyst comprises a first layer consisting essentially of a support material, one or more platinum group metals disposed on the support material, and a NO.sub.x storage material.

A NO.sub.x adsorber catalyst and its use in an emission treatment system for internal combustion engines, is disclosed. The NO.sub.x adsorber catalyst comprises a first layer consisting essentially of a support material, one or more platinum group metals disposed on the support material, and a NO.sub.x storage material.

The invention concerns a synthesis process of a compound of the following formula (I) or one of the salts thereof,

##STR00001## wherein R represents a COOH, CH.sub.2OH or CHO group, comprising the step according to which the but-3-ene-1,2-diol (BDO) is subjected to an oxidation in the presence of a catalyst, said catalyst comprising an active phase based on at least one noble metal selected from palladium, gold, silver, platinum, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium and iridium, and a support containing alkaline sites.

The invention also concerns the application of this reaction to the preparation of bioavailable compounds of methionine used, in particular, in animal nutrition.

The invention concerns a synthesis process of a compound of the following formula (I) or one of the salts thereof,

##STR00001## wherein R represents a COOH, CH.sub.2OH or CHO group, comprising the step according to which the but-3-ene-1,2-diol (BDO) is subjected to an oxidation in the presence of a catalyst, said catalyst comprising an active phase based on at least one noble metal selected from palladium, gold, silver, platinum, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium and iridium, and a support containing alkaline sites.

The invention also concerns the application of this reaction to the preparation of bioavailable compounds of methionine used, in particular, in animal nutrition.

The present invention relates to a method of producing linear fatty acids comprising 7 to 28 carbon atoms or esters thereof using a combined biotechnological and chemical method. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of producing dodecanoic acid (i.e. lauric acid), via higher alkanones, preferably 6-undecanone.

Methods of producing gold-palladium catalysts suitable for use in the production of vinyl acetate may include drying the catalyst after the incorporation of a promoter at higher temperatures (e.g., 160° C. or greater) to restructure the metals and/or alloys on the catalyst. The restructured catalyst advantageously has increased catalytic activity and improved stability.

Systems and methods of synthesizing nanoparticles on substrates using rapid, high temperature thermal shock. A method involves depositing micro-sized particles or salt precursors on a substrate, and applying a rapid, high temperature thermal pulse or shock to the micro-sized particles or the salt precursors and the substrate to cause the micro-sized particles or the salt precursors to become nanoparticles on the substrate. A system may include a rotatable member that receives a roll of a substrate sheet having micro-sized particles or salt precursors; a motor that rotates the rotatable member so as to unroll consecutive portions of the substrate sheet from the roll; and a thermal energy source that applies a short, high temperature thermal shock to consecutive portions of the substrate sheet that are unrolled from the roll by rotating the first rotatable member. Some systems and methods produce nanoparticles on existing substrate. The nanoparticles may be metallic, ceramic, inorganic, semiconductor, or compound nanoparticles. The substrate may be a carbon-based substrate, a conducting substrate, or a non-conducting substrate. The high temperature thermal shock process may be enabled by electrical Joule heating, microwave heating, thermal radiative heating, plasma heating, or laser heating.