Oligomerization processes include the steps of introducing a monomer containing a C.sub.3 to C.sub.30 olefin and a chemically-treated solid oxide into a reaction zone, and oligomerizing the monomer to form an oligomer product in the reaction zone. Fluorided silica-coated alumina and fluorided-chlorided silica-coated alumina are illustrative chemically-treated solid oxides that can be used in the oligomerization processes.

The present invention discloses processes for alkylating an aromatic compound, such as benzene or toluene, using a chemically-treated solid oxide. Suitable chemically-treated solid oxides include fluorided silica-coated alumina and fluorided-chlorided silica-coated alumina.

Oligomerization processes include the steps of introducing a monomer containing a C.sub.3 to C.sub.30 olefin and a chemically-treated solid oxide into a reaction zone, and oligomerizing the monomer to form an oligomer product in the reaction zone. Fluorided silica-coated alumina and fluorided-chlorided silica-coated alumina are illustrative chemically-treated solid oxides that can be used in the oligomerization processes.

The present invention discloses processes for alkylating an aromatic compound, such as benzene or toluene, using a chemically-treated solid oxide. Suitable chemically-treated solid oxides include fluorided silica-coated alumina and fluorided-chlorided silica-coated alumina.

A process for producing renewable distillate-range hydrocarbons is provided. The process includes dehydrating a renewable C2-C6 alcohol feedstock to produce an olefin, oligomerizing the olefin the presence of a halometallate ionic liquid catalyst to produce an oligomer product and hydrogenating the oligomer product or fractions thereof to produce saturated distillate-range hydrocarbons.

A process for preparing valpromide of formula I and sodium valproate of formula II which comprises: cyanoacetate and 1-chloropropane are subjected to composite catalytic dipropylation in the presence of alkali to obtain 2-cyano-2-valproate of formula III; 2-cyano-2-valproate is hydrolyzed and deacidified to give propylvaleronitrile of formula V; propylvaleronitrile is alcoholized in the presence of acid to give valpromide of formula I and valproate ester of formula VI; and valproate ester is hydrolyzed in a sodium hydroxide solution to afford sodium valproate of formula II.