A process for separating dimethyl biphenyl (DMBP) isomers, including contacting a mixture of 3,3-DMBP, 3,4-DMBP and 4,4-DMBP in a first solvent with a 12-member ring zeolite exchanged with potassium or barium, or combinations thereof, and adsorbing the 3,3-DMBP onto the 12-member ring zeolite, such as by passing the mixture through at least one packed bed of the potassium and/or barium exchanged 12-member ring zeolite.

Disclosed herein is are methods of preparing dehydrogenation catalysts comprising the steps of calcining a catalyst precursor in an oxygen-containing atmosphere followed by a calcining the calcined catalyst precursor in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere and/or washing the calcined catalyst precursor with water. The dehydrogenation catalysts prepared in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure typically comprise a halogen content of less than 0.1 wt % based on the weight of the dehydrogenation catalyst. Such catalysts may be particularly useful in the dehydrogenation of a feed comprising cyclohexane and/or methylcyclopentane.

Disclosed herein is are methods of preparing dehydrogenation catalysts comprising the steps of calcining a catalyst precursor in an oxygen-containing atmosphere followed by a calcining the calcined catalyst precursor in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere and/or washing the calcined catalyst precursor with water. The dehydrogenation catalysts prepared in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure typically comprise a halogen content of less than 0.1 wt % based on the weight of the dehydrogenation catalyst. Such catalysts may be particularly useful in the dehydrogenation of a feed comprising cyclohexane and/or methylcyclopentane.

Disclosed herein is are methods of preparing dehydrogenation catalysts comprising the steps of calcining a catalyst precursor in an oxygen-containing atmosphere followed by a calcining the calcined catalyst precursor in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere and/or washing the calcined catalyst precursor with water. The dehydrogenation catalysts prepared in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure typically comprise a halogen content of less than 0.1 wt % based on the weight of the dehydrogenation catalyst. Such catalysts may be particularly useful in the dehydrogenation of a feed comprising cyclohexane and/or methylcyclopentane.

Disclosed is (i) a process of making phenol and/or cyclohexanone from cyclohexylbenzene including a step of removing methylcyclopentylbenzene from (a) the cyclohexylbenzene feed supplied to the oxidation step and/or (b) the crude phenol product (ii) a phenol composition and (iii) a cyclohexylbenzene composition that can be made using the process.

Disclosed is (i) a process of making phenol and/or cyclohexanone from cyclohexylbenzene including a step of removing methylcyclopentylbenzene from (a) the cyclohexylbenzene feed supplied to the oxidation step and/or (b) the crude phenol product (ii) a phenol composition and (iii) a cyclohexylbenzene composition that can be made using the process.

Disclosed is (i) a process of making phenol and/or cyclohexanone from cyclohexylbenzene including a step of removing methylcyclopentylbenzene from (a) the cyclohexylbenzene feed supplied to the oxidation step and/or (b) the crude phenol product (ii) a phenol composition and (iii) a cyclohexylbenzene composition that can be made using the process.

Disclosed are novel processes for making cyclohexanone compositions, from a mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The process includes hydrogenation of a feed stream comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The feed stream may be subjected to one or more pre-hydrogenation treatments, such as passing through one or more sorbents, addition of basic chemical agents, and/or addition of water, so as to improve catalyst activity, minimize undesired side reactions, and/or remove catalyst poisons from the feed stream. The feed stream may be provided to a hydrogenation reaction zone in the vapor phase, with periodic alterations to hydrogenation reaction conditions such that the feed is provided in mixed liquid and vapor phase in order to carry out liquid washing of a hydrogenation catalyst bed within the hydrogenation reaction zone.

Disclosed are novel processes for making cyclohexanone compositions, from a mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The process includes hydrogenation of a feed stream comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexylbenzene. The feed stream may be subjected to one or more pre-hydrogenation treatments, such as passing through one or more sorbents, addition of basic chemical agents, and/or addition of water, so as to improve catalyst activity, minimize undesired side reactions, and/or remove catalyst poisons from the feed stream. The feed stream may be provided to a hydrogenation reaction zone in the vapor phase, with periodic alterations to hydrogenation reaction conditions such that the feed is provided in mixed liquid and vapor phase in order to carry out liquid washing of a hydrogenation catalyst bed within the hydrogenation reaction zone.

In a process for producing one or more 3,3-, 3,4- and 4,4-dimethyl biphenyl isomers, a feed comprising toluene is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a hydroalkylation reaction product comprising (methylcyclohexyl)toluenes. At least part of the hydroalkylation reaction product is dehydrogenated in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising a mixture of dimethyl biphenyl isomers. The dehydrogenation reaction product is then separated into at least a first stream containing one or more 3,3-, 3,4- and 4,4-dimethyl biphenyl isomers and at least one second stream comprising one or more 2,X-dimethyl biphenyl isomers (where X is 2, 3, or 4). The 3,3-, 3,4- and 4,4-dimethyl biphenyl isomers are then separated utilizing selective adsorption.