A simplified processes for producing desired chemicals such as butenes from feedstock mixtures containing ethanol. In one set of embodiments this is performed in a single step, wherein a feed containing ethanol in a gas phase is passed over an acidic metal oxide catalyst having a transition metal dispersion of at least 5% on a metal oxide support. The ethanol content of the feedstock mixture may vary from 10 to 100 percent of the feed and in those non-eat applications the ethanol feed may contain water.

A simplified processes for producing desired chemicals such as butenes from feedstock mixtures containing ethanol. In one set of embodiments this is performed in a single step, wherein a feed containing ethanol in a gas phase is passed over an acidic metal oxide catalyst having a transition metal dispersion of at least 5% on a metal oxide support. The ethanol content of the feedstock mixture may vary from 10 to 100 percent of the feed and in those non-eat applications the ethanol feed may contain water.

A supported core-shell bimetallic catalyst with high selectivity for propane dehydrogenation, containing platinum (Pt) as active species, 3d transition metals (Fe, Co and Ni) as promoters and SBA-15 as support. The addition of 3d metals and the formation of Pt3d alloys in subsurface result in a core-shell bimetallic catalyst which promotes the propene selectivity by decreasing the d-band center of surface Pt atoms and facilitating the desorption of propene on Pt. In another aspect, the reduced usage of Pt is achieved with the addition of 3d transition metals as well as the increased utilization of Pt atoms. The catalyst can be effectively used as a catalyst for the preparation of propene by propane dehydrogenation and 85% of propene selectivity can be achieved in propane dehydrogenation.

In an aspect, a method for the aromatization of hydrocarbons comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feedstream with a catalyst; wherein the catalyst comprises a zeolite comprising Si, Al, and Ge in the framework with Pt deposited thereon; wherein the zeolite further comprises Na; and wherein the catalyst has an Si:Al.sub.2 mole ratio of greater than or equal to 125, an Si:Ge mole ratio of 40 to 400, and an Na:Al mole ratio of 0.9 to 2.5, wherein the catalyst has an aluminum content of less than or equal to 0.75 wt % excluding any binder and extrusion aide.

Embodiments of processes for producing propylene utilize a dual catalyst system comprising a mesoporous silica catalyst impregnated with metal oxide and a mordenite framework inverted (MFI) structured silica catalyst downstream of the mesoporous silica catalyst, where the mesoporous silica catalyst includes a pore size distribution of at least 2.5 nm to 40 nm and a total pore volume of at least 0.600 cm.sup.3/g, and the MFI structured silica catalyst has a total acidity of 0.001 mmol/g to 0.1 mmol/g. The propylene is produced from the butene stream via metathesis by contacting the mesoporous silica catalyst and subsequent cracking by contacting the MFI structured silica catalyst.

Embodiments of processes for producing propylene utilize a dual catalyst system comprising a mesoporous silica catalyst impregnated with metal oxide and a mordenite framework inverted (MFI) structured silica catalyst downstream of the mesoporous silica catalyst, where the mesoporous silica catalyst includes a pore size distribution of at least 2.5 nm to 40 nm and a total pore volume of at least 0.600 cm.sup.3/g, and the MFI structured silica catalyst has a total acidity of 0.001 mmol/g to 0.1 mmol/g. The propylene is produced from the butene stream via metathesis by contacting the mesoporous silica catalyst and subsequent cracking by contacting the MFI structured silica catalyst.

Embodiments of catalyst systems and methods of synthesizing catalyst systems are provided. The catalyst system may include a core comprising a zeolite; and a shell comprising a microporous fibrous silica. The shell may be in direct contact with at least a majority of an outer surface of the core. The catalyst system may have a Si/Al molar ratio greater than 5. At least a portion of the shell may have a thickness of from 50 nanometers (nm) to 360 nm.

In an aspect, a method for the aromatization of hydrocarbons comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feedstream with a catalyst; wherein the catalyst comprises a zeolite comprising Si, Al, and Ge in the framework with Pt deposited thereon; wherein the zeolite further comprises Na; and wherein the catalyst has an Si:Al.sub.2 mole ratio of greater than or equal to 125, an Si:Ge mole ratio of 40 to 400, and an Na:Al mole ratio of 0.9 to 2.5, wherein the catalyst has an aluminum content of less than or equal to 0.75 wt % excluding any binder and extrusion aide.

Catalyst compositions comprising a zeolite and a mesoporous support or binder are disclosed. The mesoporous support or binder comprises a mesoporous metal oxide having a particle diameter of greater than or equal to 20 ?m at 50% of the cumulative pore size distribution (d.sub.50). Also disclosed are processes for producing a mono-alkylated aromatic compound (e.g., ethylbenzene or cumene) which exhibit improved yield of the mono-alkylated aromatic compound using alkylation catalysts comprising one or more of these catalyst compositions.

In an embodiment, A catalyst comprises a zeolite comprising Si, Al, and Ge in the framework with Pt deposited thereon; wherein the catalyst has an Si:Al.sub.2 mole ratio of greater than or equal to 125, an Si:Ge mole ratio of 40 to 400, and an Na:Al mole ratio of 0.9 to 2.5; wherein the catalyst has an aluminum content of less than or equal to 0.75 wt %; wherein the catalyst is non-acidic.