In a process for producing a methyl-substituted biphenyl compound, at least one methyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compound of the formula:

##STR00001##

wherein each of m and n is independently 1, 2, or 3, is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce a hydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound, and the methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound is then contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound.

In a process for producing a methyl-substituted biphenyl compound, at least one methyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compound of the formula:

##STR00001##

wherein each of m and n is independently 1, 2, or 3, is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce a hydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound, and the methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound is then contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound.

A process for oxidizing methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds comprises contacting a mixture comprising isomers of at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound with a source of oxygen, wherein the mixture comprises at least 20 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 2-position or a 3-position on at least one benzene ring and at least 50 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 4-position on at least one benzene ring, wherein said percentages are based on the total weight of the at least one methylbiphenyl compound in the mixture.

A process for oxidizing methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds comprises contacting a mixture comprising isomers of at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound with a source of oxygen, wherein the mixture comprises at least 20 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 2-position or a 3-position on at least one benzene ring and at least 50 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 4-position on at least one benzene ring, wherein said percentages are based on the total weight of the at least one methylbiphenyl compound in the mixture.

A process for producing phenylstyrene comprises contacting benzene with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a hydroalkylation product comprising cyclohexylbenzene. At least part of the cyclohexylbenzene is then contacted with ethylbenzene in the presence of a transalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a transalkylation product comprising cyclohexylethylbenzene and/or with ethylene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce an alkylation product comprising cyclohexylethylbenzene. At least part of the cyclohexylethylbenzene is then contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation product comprising phenylstyrene.

A process for producing phenylstyrene comprises contacting benzene with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a hydroalkylation product comprising cyclohexylbenzene. At least part of the cyclohexylbenzene is then contacted with ethylbenzene in the presence of a transalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a transalkylation product comprising cyclohexylethylbenzene and/or with ethylene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce an alkylation product comprising cyclohexylethylbenzene. At least part of the cyclohexylethylbenzene is then contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation product comprising phenylstyrene.

A process for producing phenylstyrene comprises contacting benzene with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a hydroalkylation product comprising cyclohexylbenzene. At least part of the cyclohexylbenzene is then contacted with ethylbenzene in the presence of a transalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a transalkylation product comprising cyclohexylethylbenzene and/or with ethylene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce an alkylation product comprising cyclohexylethylbenzene. At least part of the cyclohexylethylbenzene is then contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation product comprising phenylstyrene.

The present disclosure relates generally to processes and systems for producing liquid transportation fuels by converting a feed stream that comprises both isopentane and n-pentane, and optionally, some C6+ hydrocarbons. Isopentane and smaller hydrocarbons are separated to form a first fraction while n-pentane and larger components of the feed stock form a second fraction. Each fraction is then catalytically-activated in a separate reaction zone with a separate catalyst, where the conditions maintained in each zone maximize the conversion of each fraction to olefins and aromatics, while minimizing the production of C1-C4 light paraffins. In certain embodiments, the first fraction is activated at a lower temperature than the second fraction. The process provides increased yields of upgraded hydrocarbon products that possess the characteristics of a liquid transportation fuel or a blend component thereof.

The present disclosure relates generally to processes and systems for producing liquid transportation fuels by converting a feed stream that comprises both isopentane and n-pentane, and optionally, some C6+ hydrocarbons. Isopentane and smaller hydrocarbons are separated to form a first fraction while n-pentane and larger components of the feed stock form a second fraction. Each fraction is then catalytically-activated in a separate reaction zone with a separate catalyst, where the conditions maintained in each zone maximize the conversion of each fraction to olefins and aromatics, while minimizing the production of C1-C4 light paraffins. In certain embodiments, the first fraction is activated at a lower temperature than the second fraction. The process provides increased yields of upgraded hydrocarbon products that possess the characteristics of a liquid transportation fuel or a blend component thereof.

Disclosed are processes for abating 3-cyclohexenone from a feed mixture comprising cyclohexylbenzene, cyclohexanone, phenol, and 3-cyclohexenone and cyclohexanone, comprising feeding the feed mixture to a first distillation column and a hydrogenating a fraction from in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions. Hydrogenation can be carried out in a hydrogenation reactor separate from the first distillation column or in a hydrogenation zone disposed inside the first distillation column.