The invention relates to polyoxometalates represented by the formula (A.sub.n).sup.m+[MM.sub.12O.sub.y(RCOO).sub.zH.sub.q].sup.m or solvates thereof, corresponding supported polyoxometalates, and processes for their preparation, as well as corresponding metal clusters, optionally in the form of a dispersion in a liquid carrier medium or immobilized on a solid support, and processes for their preparation, as well as their use in reductive conversion of organic substrate.

A catalyst for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether to methyl acetate. The catalyst comprises a zeolite, such as a mordenite zeolite, at least one Group IB metal, such as copper, and/or at least one Group VIII metal, such as iron, and at least one Group IIB metal, such as zinc. Such a catalyst with combined metals provides enhanced catalytic activity, improved stability, and improved selectivity to methyl acetate, and does not require a halogen promoter, as compared to a metal-free or copper only zeolite.

An organic-base functionalized silicalite-1 molecular sieve-encapsulated metal nanoparticles catalyst and a preparation method therefor, as well as a method for preparing 1,2-pentanediol from biomass-derived furfuryl alcohol by hydrogenolysis using said catalyst. When the catalyst is used in a reaction preparing 1,2-pentanediol from furfuryl alcohol by hydrogenolysis, the catalyst has high hydrogenolysis activity under relatively mild reaction conditions, significantly increasing the conversion rate of furfuryl alcohol and 1,2-pentanediol selectivity in the reaction, while also not generating obvious byproducts furfuryl alcohol polymers; the catalyst has good stability and long life, and may be recovered for reuse after the reaction is complete by means of a simple filtration, greatly reducing reaction costs and separation difficulty.

A functional structural body that can realize a prolonged life time by suppressing the decrease in function and that can fulfill resource saving without requiring a complicated replacement operation is provided. A functional structural body includes a skeletal body of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound; and at least one solid acid present in the skeletal body, the skeletal body has channels connecting with each other, and the solid acid is present at least in the channels of the skeletal body.

To provide a functional structural body that can realize ong life time by suppressing the decline in function of the functional substance and that can attempt to save resources without requiring a complicated replacement operation, and to provide a method for making the functional structural body. The functional structural body (1) includes a skeletal body (10) of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound, and at least one functional substance (20) present in the skeletal body (10), the skeletal body (10) has channels (11) connecting with each other, and the functional substance is present at least the channels (11) of the skeletal body (10).

The structured catalyst for oxidation for exhaust gas purification includes a support having a porous structure constituted by a zeolite-type compound, and at least one type of oxidation catalyst that is present in the support and selected from the group consisting of metal and metal oxide, the support having channels that communicate with each other, and the oxidation catalyst being present in at least the channels of the support.

To provide a highly active structured catalyst for methanol reforming that suppresses the decline in catalytic function and has excellent catalytic function, and a methanol reforming device. A structured catalyst for methanol reforming, including: a support of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound; and a catalytic substance present in the support, in which the support has channels communicating with each other, and the catalytic substance is present at least in the channels of the support.

A functional structural body includes a skeletal body of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound, and at least one type of metallic nanoparticles present in the skeletal body, the skeletal body having channels connecting with each other, the metallic nanoparticles being present at least in the channels of the skeletal body.

A catalyst for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether to methyl acetate. The catalyst comprises a zeolite, such as a mordenite zeolite, at least one Group IB metal, such as copper, and/or at least one Group VIII metal, such as iron, and at least one Group IIB metal, such as zinc. Such a catalyst with combined metals provides enhanced catalytic activity, improved stability, and improved selectivity to methyl acetate, and does not require a halogen promoter, as compared to a metal-free or copper only zeolite.

A structured catalyst for steam reforming of the present disclosure is used for producing reformed gas containing hydrogen from a reforming raw material containing hydrocarbon, and includes a support having a porous structure constituted of a zeolite-type compound, and at least one catalytic substance present inside the support. The support includes channels connecting with each other, and the catalytic substance is metal nanoparticles and present at least in the channels of the support.