Processes for increasing an octane value of a gasoline component by dehydrogenating a stream comprising C.sub.7 hydrocarbons and methylcyclohexane in a first dehydrogenation zone to form an intermediate dehydrogenation effluent, and then dehydrogenating the intermediate dehydrogenation effluent in a second dehydrogenation zone to form a C.sub.7 dehydrogenation effluent. The C.sub.7 dehydrogenation effluent has an increased olefins content compared to an olefins content of the intermediate dehydrogenation effluent. The first dehydrogenation zone is operated under conditions to convert methylcyclohexane to toluene and minimize cracking reactions. The intermediate dehydrogenation effluent may be heated before being passed to the second dehydrogenation zone.

Processes for increasing an octane value of a gasoline component by dehydrogenating a stream comprising C.sub.7 hydrocarbons and methylcyclohexane in a first dehydrogenation zone to form an intermediate dehydrogenation effluent, and then dehydrogenating the intermediate dehydrogenation effluent in a second dehydrogenation zone to form a C.sub.7 dehydrogenation effluent. The C.sub.7 dehydrogenation effluent has an increased olefins content compared to an olefins content of the intermediate dehydrogenation effluent. The first dehydrogenation zone is operated under conditions to convert methylcyclohexane to toluene and minimize cracking reactions. The intermediate dehydrogenation effluent may be heated before being passed to the second dehydrogenation zone.

A process for oxidizing methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds comprises contacting a mixture comprising isomers of at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound with a source of oxygen, wherein the mixture comprises at least 20 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 2-position or a 3-position on at least one benzene ring and at least 50 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 4-position on at least one benzene ring, wherein said percentages are based on the total weight of the at least one methylbiphenyl compound in the mixture.

A process for oxidizing methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds comprises contacting a mixture comprising isomers of at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound with a source of oxygen, wherein the mixture comprises at least 20 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 2-position or a 3-position on at least one benzene ring and at least 50 wt % of isomer(s) having a methyl group at a 4-position on at least one benzene ring, wherein said percentages are based on the total weight of the at least one methylbiphenyl compound in the mixture.

The present invention provides a production method for indene, comprising a dehydrogenation step of obtaining a reaction product containing indene by contacting a raw material composition containing indene with a dehydrogenation catalyst, wherein the dehydrogenation catalyst comprises a support containing aluminum, and a group 14 metal element and platinum supported on the support, a content of the platinum in the dehydrogenation catalyst is 0.6 to 2.5% by mass based on a whole amount of the dehydrogenation catalyst, and an atomic ratio of the group 14 metal element to the platinum in the dehydrogenation catalyst is 4.0 to 20.0.

The present invention provides a production method for indene, comprising a dehydrogenation step of obtaining a reaction product containing indene by contacting a raw material composition containing indene with a dehydrogenation catalyst, wherein the dehydrogenation catalyst comprises a support containing aluminum, and a group 14 metal element and platinum supported on the support, a content of the platinum in the dehydrogenation catalyst is 0.6 to 2.5% by mass based on a whole amount of the dehydrogenation catalyst, and an atomic ratio of the group 14 metal element to the platinum in the dehydrogenation catalyst is 4.0 to 20.0.

Processes for upgrading a hydrocarbon. The process can include contacting a hydrocarbon-containing feed with fluidized catalyst particles that can include a Group 8-10 element or a compound thereof disposed on a support to effect one or more of dehydrogenation, dehydroaromatization, and dehydrocyclization of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon-containing feed to produce a coked catalyst and an effluent. The process can also include contacting at least a portion of the coked catalyst particles with an oxidant to effect combustion of at least a portion of the coke to produce regenerated catalyst particles. The process can also include contacting an additional quantity of the hydrocarbon-containing feed with at least a portion of the regenerated catalyst particles to produce additional effluent and re-coked catalyst particles.

Disclosed are methods of preparing unsaturated carbocyclic compounds through dehydrogenation of corresponding saturated carbocyclic compounds.

Disclosed are methods of preparing unsaturated carbocyclic compounds through dehydrogenation of corresponding saturated carbocyclic compounds.

Disclosed are methods of preparing unsaturated carbocyclic compounds through dehydrogenation of corresponding saturated carbocyclic compounds.