Catalysts, in particular clay catalysts, use in alkylation reaction of aromatic compounds, e.g., aromatic amines, that have lost activity during use, are regenerated by contacting the used catalyst with a mixture of a minor amount of an acid, in a mixture with water and an organic solvent. The regeneration process is readily incorporated into an alkylation process for aromatic amines.

Catalysts, in particular clay catalysts, use in alkylation reaction of aromatic compounds, e.g., aromatic amines, that have lost activity during use, are regenerated by contacting the used catalyst with a mixture of a minor amount of an acid, in a mixture with water and an organic solvent. The regeneration process is readily incorporated into an alkylation process for aromatic amines.

Method for pretreating the copper-based catalyst having the steps of dehydrating the copper-based catalyst at an elevated temperature, reducing the dehydrated copper-based catalyst with hydrogen, and passivating the activated copper-based catalyst to obtain a catalyst suitable for N-alkylation. The dehydration and reduction steps may be conducted simultaneously.

Method for pretreating the copper-based catalyst having the steps of dehydrating the copper-based catalyst at an elevated temperature, reducing the dehydrated copper-based catalyst with hydrogen, and passivating the activated copper-based catalyst to obtain a catalyst suitable for N-alkylation. The dehydration and reduction steps may be conducted simultaneously.

Method for pretreating the copper-based catalyst having the steps of dehydrating the copper-based catalyst at an elevated temperature, reducing the dehydrated copper-based catalyst with hydrogen, and passivating the activated copper-based catalyst to obtain a catalyst suitable for N-alkylation. The dehydration and reduction steps may be conducted simultaneously.

A quaternary ammonium compound of formula (I): (I) wherein R.sup.0, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is each independently an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group, X is a linking group, R.sup.4 is an optionally substituted alkylene group, R5 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group, and n is 0 or a positive integer, provided that n is not 0 when R5 is hydrogen. ##STR00001##

A quaternary ammonium compound of formula (I): (I) wherein R.sup.0, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is each independently an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group, X is a linking group, R.sup.4 is an optionally substituted alkylene group, R5 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group, and n is 0 or a positive integer, provided that n is not 0 when R5 is hydrogen. ##STR00001##

A gasoline fuel composition comprising as an additive an ester compound which is the reaction product of an optionally substituted polycarboxylic acid or an anhydride thereof and an alcohol or formula H—(OR).sub.n—OR.sup.1, wherein R is an optionally substituted alkylene group; R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group, and n is 0 or a positive integer; wherein n is not O when R.sup.1 is hydrogen.

A method for making a di(aminoaryl)fluorene compound that includes the steps of: (a) reacting a fluorenone compound according structure (I):

##STR00001##

with excess aminobenzene according to structure (II):

##STR00002##

wherein: each R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.12, and R.sup.13 is independently a group that is inert in the polymerization of epoxy compounds, and R.sup.11 is H or (C.sub.1-C.sub.6)alkyl, in the presence of an acid catalyst, in a liquid medium comprising an aromatic or substituted aromatic solvent having a boiling point of greater than or equal to 150° C. and from which the di(aminoaryl)fluorene compound is crystallizable, to form a crude product mixture comprising the di(aminoaryl)fluorene compound, (b) crystallizing di(aminoaryl)fluorene compound in the product mixture, and (c) separating the product mixture into crystallized di(aminoaryl)fluorene compound and a filtrate.

A method for making a di(aminoaryl)fluorene compound that includes the steps of: (a) reacting a fluorenone compound according structure (I):

##STR00001##

with excess aminobenzene according to structure (II):

##STR00002##

wherein: each R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.12, and R.sup.13 is independently a group that is inert in the polymerization of epoxy compounds, and R.sup.11 is H or (C.sub.1-C.sub.6)alkyl, in the presence of an acid catalyst, in a liquid medium comprising an aromatic or substituted aromatic solvent having a boiling point of greater than or equal to 150° C. and from which the di(aminoaryl)fluorene compound is crystallizable, to form a crude product mixture comprising the di(aminoaryl)fluorene compound, (b) crystallizing di(aminoaryl)fluorene compound in the product mixture, and (c) separating the product mixture into crystallized di(aminoaryl)fluorene compound and a filtrate.