According to one or more embodiments presently disclosed, one or more reactant hydrocarbons may be dehydrogenated by a method that includes contacting the one or more reactant hydrocarbons with a catalyst system to dehydrogenate at least a portion of the reactant hydrocarbons. The catalyst system may include a zincosilicate support material that includes an MFI framework type structure incorporating at least silicon and zinc. The catalyst system may further include one or more alkali or alkaline earth metals, and one or more platinum group metals.

New process of producing alpha-hydroxy compounds from sustainable resources useful as platform chemicals, such as hydroxy analogues of amino acids or polymer precursors.

A hydrocarbon conversion catalyst composition which comprises dealuminated ZSM-48 and/or EU-2 zeolite and a refractory oxide binder essentially free of alumina, processes for preparing such composition and processes for converting hydrocarbon feedstock with the help of such compositions.

A novel synthetic crystalline molecular sieve material, designated boron SSZ-41 is provided. The boron SSZ-41 is a boronzincosilicate molecular sieve having the framework structure of SSZ-41. It can be synthesized using 1,1-(1,4-butanediyl)bis[4-aza-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane] dications as a structure directing agent. The boronzincosilicate SSZ-41 may be used in organic compound conversion reactions and/or sorptive processes.

A ZSM-23 zeolite and a process for preparing the same and use thereof are provided. The total acid amount of the ZSM-23 zeolite is 0.05-0.25 mmol/g, preferably 0.06-0.22 mmol/g, more preferably 0.06-0.20 mmol/g. The strong acid content of the ZSM-23 zeolite is 5-33%, preferably 7-33%, more preferably 9-33%, or further preferably 7-31%, further more preferably 10-28% of the total acid amount. The strong acid refers to an acid having a desorption temperature of 350 C. or higher in an NH3 temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD). The ZSM-23 zeolite has a low strong acid content.

Disclosed herein is a process for producing para-xylene comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a feedstock comprising toluene with a first catalyst under effective vapor phase toluene disproportionation conditions to disproportionate said toluene and produce a first product comprising benzene, unreacted toluene and greater than equilibrium amounts of para-xylene; and (b) contacting a feedstock comprising C.sub.9+ aromatic hydrocarbons and benzene with a second catalyst in the presence of 0 wt. % or more of hydrogen having a 0 to 10 hydrogen/hydrocarbon molar ratio under effective C.sub.9+ transalkylation conditions to transalkylate said C.sub.9+ aromatic hydrocarbons and produce a second product comprising xylenes.

A process for producing xylene from C.sub.9+ aromatic hydrocarbons comprises contacting a first feedstock comprising C.sub.9+ aromatic hydrocarbons with a first catalyst in the presence of 0 wt. % or more of hydrogen under effective vapor phase dealkylation conditions to dealkylate part of the C.sub.9+ aromatic hydrocarbons and produce a first product comprising benzene, toluene and residual C.sub.9+ aromatic hydrocarbons. A second feedstock comprising C.sub.9+ aromatic hydrocarbons and benzene and/or toluene is contacted with a second catalyst under effective liquid phase C.sub.9+ transalkylation conditions to transalkylate at least part of the C.sub.9+ aromatic hydrocarbons and produce a second product comprising xylenes.

The present invention relates to new crystalline zeolite SSZ-52x prepared using a quaternary ammonium cation templating agent, for example, having the structure: ##STR00001##
wherein X.sup. is an anion which is not detrimental to the formation of the SSZ-52x. SSZ-52x is useful as a catalyst and shows improved durability, particularly with regard to NO.sub.x conversion.

Catalysts and methods for use in conversion of glycerides and free fatty acids to biodiesel are described. A batch or continuous process may be used with the catalysts for transesterification of triglycerides with an alkyl alcohol to produce corresponding mono carboxylic acid esters and glycerol in high yields and purity. Similarly, alkyl and aryl carboxylic acids and free fatty acids are also converted to corresponding alkyl esters. Catalysts are capable of simultaneous esterification and transesterification under same process conditions. The described catalysts are thermostable, long lasting, and highly active.

A method to make a phosphorus modified zeolite can include providing a zeolite having at least one ten member ring, making an ion-exchange, steaming the zeolite, and introducing phosphorus on the zeolite. The zeolite can be mixed with one or more binders and shaping additives, and then shaped. A metal can be introduced, and the catalyst can be washed, calcined, and steamed in an equilibration step. The steaming can be at performed at a steam severity (X) of at least about 2. The steaming can be performed at a temperature above 625 C. The catalyst can be used in alcohol dehydration, olefin cracking, MTO processes, and alkylation of aromatics by alcohols with olefins and/or alcohols.