A transformational energy efficient technology using ionic liquid (IL) to couple with monoethanolamine (MEA) for catalytic CO.sub.2 capture is disclosed. [EMmim.sup.+][NTF.sub.2.sup.−] based catalysts are rationally synthesized and used for CO.sub.2 capture with MEA. A catalytic CO.sub.2 capture mechanism is disclosed according to experimental and computational studies on the [EMmim.sup.+][NTF.sub.2.sup.−] for the reversible CO.sub.2 sorption and desorption.

The present invention concerns a catalyst system in particular a catalyst system comprising Palladium (Pd), a zwitterion and/or an acid-functionalized ionic liquid, and one or more phosphine ligands, wherein the Pd catalyst can be provided by a complex precursor, such as Pd(CH.sub.3COO).sub.2, PdCl.sub.2, Pd(CH.sub.3COCHCOCH.sub.3), Pd(CF.sub.3COO).sub.2, Pd(PPh.sub.3).sub.4 or Pd.sub.2(dibenzylideneacetone).sub.3. Such catalyst systems can be used for e.g. alkoxycarbonylation reactions, carboxylation reactions, and/or in a co-polymerization reaction, e.g. in the production of methyl propionate and/or propanoic acid, optionally in processes forming methyl methacrylate and/or methacrylic acid. Catalyst systems according to the invention are suitable for reactions forming separable product and catalyst phases and supported ionic liquid phase SILP applications.

Processes for the direct alkylation of ethylene with isobutane or isopentane using a highly active ionic liquid alkylation catalyst are described. Ethylene is sent to a high-temperature alkylation reactor loop, and C.sub.3, C.sub.4, and C.sub.5 olefins are routed to a low temperature alkylation reactor loop. In each reactor, the olefins are contacted with an excess of isobutane or isopentane in the presence of a highly active ionic liquid catalyst. Portions of the reactor effluent streams are fed to a common downstream catalyst separation and product fractionation sections. The remainder of the reactor effluent is recycled back to the respective alkylation reactor.

The present invention provides a process to prepare a composite ionic liquid, the process at least comprising the steps: (a) mixing an ammonium salt and a solid aluminium salt to obtain a first mixture; (b) stirring under heating the first mixture of step (a); (c) adding to the first mixture of step (b) one or more solid metal salts to obtain a second mixture, wherein the metal salts are selected from halides, sulfates, or nitrates of aluminium, gallium, copper, iron, zinc, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum and platinum; (d) stirring under heating the second mixture of step (c); (e) adding to the second mixture of step (d) a hydrocarbon to obtain a third mixture; (f) stirring under heating the third mixture of step (e) until the solids of the aluminium salt of step (a), and the solids of the metal salts of step (c) disappear and the mixture is converted into a composite ionic liquid; and (g) cooling the composite ionic liquid of step (f).

A transformational energy efficient technology using ionic liquid (IL) to couple with monoethanolamine (MEA) for catalytic CO.sub.2 capture is disclosed. [EMmim.sup.+][NTF.sub.2.sup.−] based catalysts are rationally synthesized and used for CO.sub.2 capture with MEA. A catalytic CO.sub.2 capture mechanism is disclosed according to experimental and computational studies on the [EMmim.sup.+][NTF.sub.2.sup.−] for the reversible CO.sub.2 sorption and desorption.

Processes for the direct alkylation of ethylene with isobutane or isopentane using a highly active ionic liquid alkylation catalyst are described. Ethylene is sent to a high-temperature alkylation reactor loop, and C.sub.3, C.sub.4, and C.sub.5 olefins are routed to a low temperature alkylation reactor loop. In each reactor, the olefins are contacted with an excess of isobutane or isopentane in the presence of a highly active ionic liquid catalyst. Portions of the reactor effluent streams are fed to a common downstream catalyst separation and product fractionation sections. The remainder of the reactor effluent is recycled back to the respective alkylation reactor.

An oxygen generator uses a composition for generating oxygen and an acidic compound, with the composition for generating oxygen including an oxygen source, an ionic liquid, a metal oxide compound and optionally a basic compound. The oxygen source is a peroxide compound, the ionic liquid is in the liquid state at least in a temperature range from −10° C. to +50° C., the metal oxide compound is an oxide of a single metal or of two or more different metals which are from groups 2 to 14 of the periodic table of the elements. There is also described a method for decelerating or stopping the oxygen production from an oxygen generating composition, and a device for generating oxygen in a controlled manner.

An oxygen generator has a composition for generating oxygen and a basic compound. The composition for generating oxygen includes an oxygen source, an ionic liquid, a metal salt, and an optional basic compound. The oxygen source is a peroxide compound, the ionic liquid is in the liquid state at least in a temperature range from −10° C. to +50° C., the metal salt has one single metal or two or more different metals, and an organic and/or an inorganic anion. There is also described a method for starting or accelerating the oxygen production of an oxygen generating composition, and a device for generating oxygen in a controlled manner.

An oxygen generator has a composition for generating oxygen and an acidic compound and/or a basic compound. The composition for generating oxygen includes an oxygen source, an ionic liquid, a metal oxide compound and/or a metal salt, and optionally a basic compound. The oxygen source is a peroxide compound, the ionic liquid is in the liquid state at least in a temperature range from 10 C. to +50 C., the metal oxide compound is an oxide of a single metal or of two or more different metals selected from the metals of groups 2 to 14 of the periodic table of the elements. The metal salt has a single metal or two or more different metals, and an organic and/or an inorganic anion. There is also described a method for controlling the oxygen production rate of the oxygen generator, and a device for generating oxygen in a controlled manner.

An oxygen generator has a composition for generating oxygen and an acidic compound and/or a basic compound. The composition for generating oxygen includes an oxygen source, an ionic liquid, a metal oxide compound and/or a metal salt, and optionally a basic compound. The oxygen source is a peroxide compound, the ionic liquid is in the liquid state at least in a temperature range from 10 C. to +50 C., the metal oxide compound is an oxide of a single metal or of two or more different metals selected from the metals of groups 2 to 14 of the periodic table of the elements. The metal salt has a single metal or two or more different metals, and an organic and/or an inorganic anion. There is also described a method for controlling the oxygen production rate of the oxygen generator, and a device for generating oxygen in a controlled manner.