A process for producing xylenes, in particular para-xylene that is less energy intensive than conventional processes is provided. In an embodiment the process comprises contacting a feed mixture in an isomerization zone with a catalyst at isomerization conditions and producing an isomerized product comprising a higher proportion of p-xylene than in the feed mixture, wherein the catalyst comprises an acidic sulfonated catalytic membrane. Xylene isomerization can also be coupled with a p-xylene extraction process, where the raffinate (p-xylene deprived stream) from the extraction process is fed to an isomerization reactor to produce p-xylene. In an embodiment, the process can comprise: a) providing a feed stream comprising a mixture of xylene isomers including p-xylene; b) extracting p-xylene from the feed stream using a separator to separate the feed stream into a p-xylene rich stream and a p-xylene deprived stream; and c) delivering the p-xylene deprived stream to an isomerization unit, the isomerization unit including an acidic sulfonated catalytic membrane, and using the isomerization unit to produce an isomerized product comprising a higher proportion of p-xylene than in the p-xylene deprived stream delivered to the isomerization unit. In any one or more aspects, the isomerization unit can be operated at a temperature in the range of less than 350°, for example about 20° C. to about 200° C.

A method of making solid acid catalysts includes the step of sulfonating waste tire pieces in a first sulfonation step. The sulfonated waste tire pieces are pyrolyzed to produce carbon composite pieces having a pore size less than 10 nm. The carbon composite pieces are then ground to produce carbon composite powders having a size less than 50 μm. The carbon composite particles are sulfonated in a second sulfonation step to produce sulfonated solid acid catalysts. A method of making biofuels and solid acid catalysts are also disclosed.

In an embodiment, a method of producing a bisphenol comprises reacting a phenolic compound with a reactant comprising one or both of an aldehyde and a ketone in the presence of a catalyst system and methanol to produce the bisphenol; wherein the methanol is present in an amount of 250 to 5,000 ppm based on the total weight of the reactant; wherein the catalyst system comprises an ion-exchange resin comprising a plurality of sulfonic acid sites; and 5 to 35 mol % of an attached promoter molecule based on the total moles of the sulfonic acid sites in the catalyst system; and wherein the attached promoter molecule comprises at least two thiol groups per attached promoter molecule.

In an embodiment, a method of producing a bisphenol comprises reacting a phenolic compound with a reactant comprising one or both of an aldehyde and a ketone in the presence of a catalyst system and methanol to produce the bisphenol; wherein the methanol is present in an amount of 250 to 5,000 ppm based on the total weight of the reactant; wherein the catalyst system comprises an ion-exchange resin comprising a plurality of sulfonic acid sites; and 5 to 35 mol % of an attached promoter molecule based on the total moles of the sulfonic acid sites in the catalyst system; and wherein the attached promoter molecule comprises at least two thiol groups per attached promoter molecule.

A catalyst system useful in the production of bisphenol-A comprises (a) an acidic heterogeneous catalyst; (b) a first catalyst promoter comprising at least one organic sulfur-containing compound; and (c) a second catalyst promoter different from the first catalyst promoter and comprising at least one organic Brønsted acidic ionic compound.

A catalyst system useful in the production of bisphenol-A comprises (a) an acidic heterogeneous catalyst; (b) a first catalyst promoter comprising at least one organic sulfur-containing compound; and (c) a second catalyst promoter different from the first catalyst promoter and comprising at least one organic Brønsted acidic ionic compound.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a water cleavage product, a water cleavage product thus produced, a process for producing at least one water cleavage secondary product, a water cleavage secondary product thus produced and the use of a multi-fluorinated alcohol compound for the extraction of at least one water cleavage product from an aqueous phase.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a water cleavage product, a water cleavage product thus produced, a process for producing at least one water cleavage secondary product, a water cleavage secondary product thus produced and the use of a multi-fluorinated alcohol compound for the extraction of at least one water cleavage product from an aqueous phase.

A new metal organic framework (MOF) series and method of synthesizing the same are disclosed which includes an organic linking ligand having the formula: ##STR00001##
and a metal ion bonded to the organic linking ligand.

The present invention relates to a catalyst having surface-modified metal nanoparticles immobilized in a stationary phase in which a polymer electrolyte membrane is formed, and a preparation method thereof. The catalyst of the present invention may be used in a process for producing hydrogen peroxide by direct synthesis from oxygen and hydrogen.