The present disclosure relates to a process for preparing linear alkyl benzne (LAB). The process comprises alkylation of benzene with an alkylating agent in the presence of an ionic liquid to obtain a first product mixture comprising a first organic phase and a first aqueous phase comprising first partially spent ionic liquid. The first organic phase is deacidified and fractionally distilled to obtain a fraction comprising LAB and a fraction comprising HAB. The fraction comprising HAB is transalkylated with benzene in the presence of the ionic liquid to obtain a second product mixture comprising a second organic phase comprising LAB and a second aqueous phase comprising second partially spent ionic liquid. The partially spent ionic liquids are regenerated, and reused in the steps of alkylation or transalkylation for at least 6 cycles.

The present invention relates to a method for producing long-chain alkylbenzene by reacting an aromatic hydrocarbon and a long-chain olefin, wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a solid acid catalyst, the aromatic hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene and xylene, the long-chain olefin is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.8-C.sub.26 alkenes, the catalyst is a HMCM-22 type molecular sieve solid acid catalyst modified with heteroatom(s), the heteroatom(s) is/are selected from the group consisting of boron, gallium, indium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese and phosphorus, and the molar ratio of silicon atoms to heteroatoms in the solid acid catalyst is in the range of 1:0.01-0.03. The invention also relates to a method for regenerating the solid acid catalyst used in the reaction.

The present invention relates to a method for producing long-chain alkylbenzene by reacting an aromatic hydrocarbon and a long-chain olefin, wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a solid acid catalyst, the aromatic hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene and xylene, the long-chain olefin is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.8-C.sub.26 alkenes, the catalyst is a HMCM-22 type molecular sieve solid acid catalyst modified with heteroatom(s), the heteroatom(s) is/are selected from the group consisting of boron, gallium, indium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese and phosphorus, and the molar ratio of silicon atoms to heteroatoms in the solid acid catalyst is in the range of 1:0.01-0.03. The invention also relates to a method for regenerating the solid acid catalyst used in the reaction.

The present invention provides a method for selectively functionalizing alkanes through a sequential biocatalytic dehydrogenation followed by isomerization-hydrofunctionalization reaction.

The present invention provides a method for selectively functionalizing alkanes through a sequential biocatalytic dehydrogenation followed by isomerization-hydrofunctionalization reaction.

Processes for alkylating benzene are provided. In embodiments, the process comprises combining benzene, an olefin, and a catalyst composition under conditions to react benzene with the olefin to produce an alkylbenzene, the catalyst composition comprising components selected from the group consisting of an ionic liquid, an acid, and an aromatic; an acid, a base capable of forming an ionic liquid with the acid, and an aromatic; an ionic liquid and an acid; and an acid and a base capable of forming an ionic liquid with the acid. The ionic liquid does not comprise a metal halide and the catalyst composition is free of a metal halide and the aromatic, if present in the catalyst composition, is not the benzene being alkylated.

Processes for alkylating benzene are provided. In embodiments, the process comprises combining benzene, an olefin, and a catalyst composition under conditions to react benzene with the olefin to produce an alkylbenzene, the catalyst composition comprising components selected from the group consisting of an ionic liquid, an acid, and an aromatic; an acid, a base capable of forming an ionic liquid with the acid, and an aromatic; an ionic liquid and an acid; and an acid and a base capable of forming an ionic liquid with the acid. The ionic liquid does not comprise a metal halide and the catalyst composition is free of a metal halide and the aromatic, if present in the catalyst composition, is not the benzene being alkylated.

Embodiments are directed to catalyst systems comprising: a procatalyst; and a co-catalyst, the co-catalyst comprising: a non-coordinating borate anion having the formula [B(C.sub.6F.sub.5).sub.4].sup.1− and a cation according to formula (I). ##STR00001##

Embodiments are directed to catalyst systems comprising: a procatalyst; and a co-catalyst, the co-catalyst comprising: a non-coordinating borate anion having the formula [B(C.sub.6F.sub.5).sub.4].sup.1− and a cation according to formula (I). ##STR00001##

Hydrodeoxygenating a biorenewable feed that is concentrated in free fatty acids with 10-13 carbon atoms at a moderate hydrodeoxygenation ratio that is less than the ratio of hydrodeoxygenation utilized for traditional biorenewable feeds such as vegetable oil or even mineral feedstocks, normal paraffins in the range desired by the detergents industry can be produced. Either hydroisomerization or an iso-normal separation can be performed to provide green fuel streams. Two reactors are proposed, one for hydrodeoxygenation of the biorenewable feed that is concentrated in free fatty acids with 10-13 carbon atoms and the other for a traditional biorenewable feed or even a mineral feed operated at a higher deoxygenation ratio.