The invention pertains to the synthesis of carbamate and urea compounds. In particular the invention is directed to the synthesis of carbamate and urea compounds which may be used in the production of compounds that are used to stabilize nitrocellulose. The method of the invention comprises preparing a carbamate or urea derivative comprising reacting an amine and a carbonate or carbamate in the presence of an ionic liquid.

A micro-emulsion and a method of making the micro-emulsion are described. The micro-emulsion includes a hydrocarbon component, an ionic liquid component, and a co-solvent. The ionic liquid comprises a halometallate anion and a cation. The micro-emulsion can optionally include a surfactant, and a catalyst promoter. The co-solvent has a polarity greater than the polarity of the hydrocarbon. The ionic liquid is present in an amount of about 0.05 wt % to about 40 wt % of the micro-emulsion.

A catalyst complex for catalysis of degradation of a polymer material is described. Said complex comprises a magnetic particulate body containing iron oxide at its surface with an average diameter of 150-450 nm, and a plurality of catalytic groups grafted onto the iron oxide surface of the magnetic particulate body, which catalytic groups comprise a bridging moiety and a catalyst entity, wherein the bridging moiety comprises a functional group for adhesion or bonding to the iron oxide surface and a linking group towards the catalyst entity, and wherein the catalyst entity comprises a positively charged aromatic heterocycle moiety, and a negatively charged moiety for balancing the positively charged aromatic moiety.

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.

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 Brnsted acidic ionic compound.

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.

The present invention provides a catalyst system for producing cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and epoxide-based compounds comprising: a pre-catalyst; and a co-catalyst wherein said pre catalyst is BiCl.sub.3 and said co-catalyst is selected from tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB), tetra-n-butylammonium iodide (TBAI), tetra-n-butylphosphonium bromide (PBu.sub.4Br), tetra-n-butylphosphonium iodide (PBu.sub.4I) or mixtures thereof.

The present invention provides a catalyst system for producing cyclic carbonates comprising: a pre-catalyst, which is BiCl.sub.3 having amounts in the range from 5 to 10% by weight of silica support; a compound having formula (I) ##STR00001## wherein: Y is selected from bromide (Br.sup.?) or iodide (I.sup.?); R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are methyl group or R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are taken together to form a heteroaryl ring having formula (II) ##STR00002##
and a silica (SiO.sub.2) support.

Disclosed is an application of an ionic iron (III) complex as a catalyst in preparation of a benzylamine compound, that is, an ionic iron (III) complex having a molecular formula of [(RNCHCHNR)CH][FeBr.sub.4] (R is tert-butyl) and containing 1,3-di-tert-butyl imidazolium cation is used as a catalyst, di-tert-butyl peroxide is used as an oxidizing agent, and a benzylamine compound is synthesized by oxidation reaction of a toluene/ethylbenzene compound with an aromatic amine. The present invention has a wide application range, and is applicable not only to a toluene compound containing a benzylic primary carbon-hydrogen bond but also to an ethylbenzene compound containing a benzyl secondary carbon-hydrogen bond. This is the first example of the preparation of a benzylamine compound by oxidation reaction of a toluene/ethylbenzene compound and an aromatic amine by an iron-based catalyst.