The invention relates to a catalyst that comprises at least the tantalum element, at least an aldolizing element and at least a mesoporous oxide matrix, with the tantalum mass being between 0.1 and 30% of the mesoporous oxide matrix mass, the mass of the at least one aldolizing element being between 0.02 and 4% of the mesoporous oxide matrix mass, and use thereof.

An alkylation catalyst having a zeolite catalyst component and a binder component providing mechanical support for the zeolite catalyst component is disclosed. The binder component is an ion-modified binder that can include metal ions selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Ti, Zr, V, Nb, K, Cs, Ga, B, P, Rb, Ag, Na, Cu, Mg, Fe, Mo, Ce, and combinations thereof. The metal ions reduce the number of acid sites on the zeolite catalyst component. The metal ions can range from 0.1 to 50 wt % based on the total weight of the ion-modified binder. Optionally, the ion-modified binder is present in amounts ranging from 1 to 80 wt % based on the total weight of the catalyst.

Provided are methods and materials for the functionalization of a heteroalkane or arene using an oxidizing electrophile as a stoichiometric agent or catalyst. The reaction involves the replacement of a hydrogen atom on an sp3-hybridized carbon atom of the heteroalkane or of a hydrogen atom on an sp2-hybridized carbon atom of the arene. A main group element organometallic intermediate is formed that undergoes further conversion to a functionalized heteroalkane or arene.

A process of methane catalytic conversion produces olefins, aromatics, and hydrogen under oxygen-free, continuous flowing conditions. Such a process has little coke deposition and realizes atom-economic conversion. Under the conditions encountered in a fixed bed reactor (i.e. reaction temperature: 750-1200 C.; reaction pressure: atmospheric pressure; the weight hourly space velocity of feed gas: 1000-30000 ml/g/h; and fixed bed), conversion of methane is 8-50%. The selectivity of olefins is 30-90%. And selectivity of aromatics is 10-70%. The catalyst for this methane conversion has a SiO.sub.2-based matrix having active species that are formed by confining dopant metal atoms in the lattice of the matrix.

A process and catalyst for use therein for the production of aromatics via the oxidative coupling of methane and methane co-aromatization with higher hydrocarbons in a single reaction stage. First, methane is partially converted to ethane and ethylene on an OCM catalyst component, and the OCM intermediate mixture containing methane, ethane and ethylene is subsequently converted into aromatics on an aromatization catalyst component. The reaction may be conducted at 550-850 C. and at about 50 psig. The claimed process and catalyst used therein achieves high methane conversion at lower temperatures (less than 800 C.), higher methane conversion into the aromatic products and significant reductions in production cost when compared to the traditional two (or more) step processes.

Oxidative dehydrogenation of light paraffins, such as ethane at moderate temperatures (<500 C.) to produce ethylene without the formation of side products such as acetic acid and/or other oxygenated hydrocarbons is achieved using tellurium-free, multimetallic catalysts possessing orthorhombic M1 phase and other crystalline structures that have an important role for obtaining high performance catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene. Such catalysts are prepared using thermal and hydrothermal methods.

A method for producing light aromatic hydrocarbons from C.sub.9.sup.+ aromatic hydrocarbons includes a step of contacting a C.sub.9.sup.+ aromatic hydrocarbon with a dealkylation catalyst comprising a KL zeolite, and platinum and a modifying metal supported thereon in the presence of hydrogen, to obtain a light aromatic hydrocarbon. The modifying metal is selected from the group consisting of Group IIA metals and rare earth metals. By using a Pt/KL catalyst comprising a specific modifying metal in the dealkylation reaction of C.sub.9.sup.+ aromatic hydrocarbons for producing light aromatic hydrocarbons, the method shows the advantages of high conversion rate of feedstock, high yield of light aromatic hydrocarbons, good reaction selectivity.

Increase propane dehydrogenation activity of a partially deactivated dehydrogenation catalyst by heating the partially deactivated catalyst to a temperature of at least 660 C., conditioning the heated catalyst in an oxygen-containing atmosphere and, optionally, stripping molecular oxygen from the conditioned catalyst.

The present invention relates to a dehydrogenation process starting from reagents selected from single butenes, or mixtures thereof, or mixtures of butenes with butanes, to give 1-3 butadiene using catalytic composition of microspheroidal alumina and an active component containing a mixture comprising Gallium and/or Gallium oxides, Tin and/or Tin oxides, a quantity ranging from 1 ppm to 500 ppm with respect to the total weight of the catalytic composition of platinum and/or platinum oxides, and oxides of alkaline and/or alkaline earth metals.

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing butadiene comprising thermally decomposing a polyester containing a repeating unit derived from 1,4-butanediol or a polymer blend containing the same to manufacture butadiene.