Methods are provided for modifying hydrogenation catalysts having silica supports (or other non-alumina supports) with additional alumina, and using such catalysts to achieve unexpectedly superior hydrogenation of feedstocks. The modified hydrogenation catalysts can have a relatively low cracking activity while providing an increased activity for hydrogenation.

The object of the invention is a method for producing naphthenic process oils that have a high content of naphthenic carbon atoms of 20-60 wt % and a low content of polycyclic aromatics of less than 3 wt %, determined in accordance with IP 346, by the hydrogenation of a process oil educt that has a high content of polycyclic aromatics. The method in accordance with the invention enables secondary extracts, such as are formed in the production of label-free process oils, even in a mixture with primary extracts, to be utilized in an economically meaningful way. The resulting process oils are likewise label-free, so that the use of PCA-containing process oils can be reduced and less of these substances will get into the environment. Through this the environment and in particular health are less stressed. In addition, the starting substances in this way can lead to a different use and no longer have to be added to heating oil. By avoiding heating oil, CO.sub.2 emissions are also reduced. Also, through the direct hydrogenation of DAE, high value naphthenic process oils are obtained by the method in accordance with the invention. The process oils that are obtained contain surprisingly high amounts of naphthenic hydrocarbon compounds. In addition, an object of the invention is the use of the process oils produced in accordance with the invention as a plasticizer or extender oil for natural and synthetic rubber mixtures or thermoplastic elastomers.

The object of the invention is a method for producing naphthenic process oils that have a high content of naphthenic carbon atoms of 20-60 wt % and a low content of polycyclic aromatics of less than 3 wt %, determined in accordance with IP 346, by the hydrogenation of a process oil educt that has a high content of polycyclic aromatics. The method in accordance with the invention enables secondary extracts, such as are formed in the production of label-free process oils, even in a mixture with primary extracts, to be utilized in an economically meaningful way. The resulting process oils are likewise label-free, so that the use of PCA-containing process oils can be reduced and less of these substances will get into the environment. Through this the environment and in particular health are less stressed. In addition, the starting substances in this way can lead to a different use and no longer have to be added to heating oil. By avoiding heating oil, CO.sub.2 emissions are also reduced. Also, through the direct hydrogenation of DAE, high value naphthenic process oils are obtained by the method in accordance with the invention. The process oils that are obtained contain surprisingly high amounts of naphthenic hydrocarbon compounds. In addition, an object of the invention is the use of the process oils produced in accordance with the invention as a plasticizer or extender oil for natural and synthetic rubber mixtures or thermoplastic elastomers.

A catalyst system comprising a combination of: 1) one or more catalyst compounds having at least one nitrogen linkage and at least one oxygen linkage to a transition metal; 2) a support comprising an organosilica material, which is a mesoporous organosilica material; and 3) an optional activator. Useful catalysts include ONNO-type transition metal catalysts, ONYO-Type transition metal catalysts, and/or oxadiazole transition metal catalysts. The organosilica material is a polymer of at least one monomer of Formula [zOZ2 SiCH2]3(l), where Z.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1-C.sub.4alkyl group, or a bond to a silicon atom of another monomer and Z.sup.2 represents a hydroxyl group, a C.sub.1-C.sub.4alkoxy group, a C.sub.1-C.sub.6alkyl group, or an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another monomer. This invention further relates to processes to polymerize olefins comprising contacting one or more olefins with the above catalyst system.

A catalyst system comprising a combination of: 1) one or more catalyst compounds having at least one nitrogen linkage and at least one oxygen linkage to a transition metal; 2) a support comprising an organosilica material, which is a mesoporous organosilica material; and 3) an optional activator. Useful catalysts include ONNO-type transition metal catalysts, ONYO-Type transition metal catalysts, and/or oxadiazole transition metal catalysts. The organosilica material is a polymer of at least one monomer of Formula [zOZ2 SiCH2]3(l), where Z.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1-C.sub.4alkyl group, or a bond to a silicon atom of another monomer and Z.sup.2 represents a hydroxyl group, a C.sub.1-C.sub.4alkoxy group, a C.sub.1-C.sub.6alkyl group, or an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another monomer. This invention further relates to processes to polymerize olefins comprising contacting one or more olefins with the above catalyst system.

A method for producing xylenes from a heavy reformate feed includes the steps of introducing the heavy reformate feed and a hydrogen feed to a dealkylation reactor, reacting the heavy reformate feed with the hydrogen gas in the presence of the dealkylation catalyst in the dealkylation reactor to produce a dealkylation effluent, introducing the dealkylation effluent to a splitter unit, separating the dealkylation effluent into a light gas stream, a toluene stream, a benzene stream, a C9 aromatics stream, a C10+ aromatics stream, and a mixed xylene stream in the splitter unit, introducing the toluene stream, the C9 aromatics stream, and a hydrogen stream into a transalkylation reactor, reacting the toluene stream and the C9 aromatics stream in the presence of the transalkylation catalyst to produce a transalkylation effluent, introducing the transalkylation effluent to the splitter unit, and separating the transalkylation effluent in the splitter unit.

A method for producing xylenes from a heavy reformate feed includes the steps of introducing the heavy reformate feed and a hydrogen feed to a dealkylation reactor, reacting the heavy reformate feed with the hydrogen gas in the presence of the dealkylation catalyst in the dealkylation reactor to produce a dealkylation effluent, introducing the dealkylation effluent to a splitter unit, separating the dealkylation effluent into a light gas stream, a toluene stream, a benzene stream, a C9 aromatics stream, a C10+ aromatics stream, and a mixed xylene stream in the splitter unit, introducing the toluene stream, the C9 aromatics stream, and a hydrogen stream into a transalkylation reactor, reacting the toluene stream and the C9 aromatics stream in the presence of the transalkylation catalyst to produce a transalkylation effluent, introducing the transalkylation effluent to the splitter unit, and separating the transalkylation effluent in the splitter unit.

A catalyst system comprising a combination of: 1) one or more catalyst compounds comprising at least one nitrogen linkage; 2) a support comprising an organosilica material, which is a mesoporous organosilica material; and 3) an optional activator. Useful catalysts include pyridyldiamido transition metal complexes, HN5 compounds, and bis(imino)pyridyl complexes. The organosilica material is a polymer of at least one monomer of Formula [Z.sup.1OZ.sup.2SiCH.sub.2].sub.3(1), where Z.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1-C.sub.4alkyl group, or a bond to a silicon atom of another monomer and Z.sup.2 represents a hydroxyl group, a C1-C.sub.4alkoxy group, a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl group, or an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another monomer. This invention further relates to processes to polymerize olefins comprising contacting one or more olefins with the above catalyst system.

A catalyst system comprising a combination of: 1) one or more catalyst compounds comprising at least one nitrogen linkage; 2) a support comprising an organosilica material, which is a mesoporous organosilica material; and 3) an optional activator. Useful catalysts include pyridyldiamido transition metal complexes, HN5 compounds, and bis(imino)pyridyl complexes. The organosilica material is a polymer of at least one monomer of Formula [Z.sup.1OZ.sup.2SiCH.sub.2].sub.3(1), where Z.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1-C.sub.4alkyl group, or a bond to a silicon atom of another monomer and Z.sup.2 represents a hydroxyl group, a C1-C.sub.4alkoxy group, a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl group, or an oxygen atom bonded to a silicon atom of another monomer. This invention further relates to processes to polymerize olefins comprising contacting one or more olefins with the above catalyst system.

Methods are provided for modifying hydrogenation catalysts having silica supports (or other non-alumina supports) with additional alumina, and using such catalysts to achieve unexpectedly superior hydrogenation of feedstocks. The modified hydrogenation catalysts can have a relatively low cracking activity while providing an increased activity for hydrogenation.