Methods and phosphorus-containing solid catalysts for catalyzing dehydration of cyclic ethers (e.g., furans, such as 2,5-dimethylfuran) and alcohols (e.g., ethanol and isopropanol). The alcohols and cyclic ethers may be derived from biomass. One example includes a tandem Diels-Alder cycloaddition and dehydration of biomass-derived 2,5-dimethyl-furan and ethylene to renewable p-xylene. The phosphorus-containing solid catalysts are also active and selective for dehydration of alcohols to alkenes.

The disclosure relates to a zeolite catalyst for side-chain alkylation of toluene with methanol, including a zeolite NaX and Na.sub.3PO.sub.4 or Na.sub.2HPO.sub.4 supported on the zeolite NaX. The zeolite catalyst can be effective for catalyzing the side-chain alkylation of toluene with methanol. The disclosure also relates to a process for preparing a zeolite catalyst for side-chain alkylation of toluene with methanol, which is simple, practical and cheap in cost.

Disclosed is a method of preparing 1,3-butadiene and methyl ethyl ketone from 2,3-butanediol, including: a) providing a plurality of adiabatic reactors, which include a catalyst bed for dehydrating 2,3-butanediol, without a heat transfer medium, and are connected in series; b) introducing a stream including 2,3-butanediol at a temperature ranging from 200° C. to 400° C. into a first adiabatic reactor among the plurality of adiabatic reactors; c) dehydrating the 2,3-butanediol so as to be converted into 1,3-butadiene and methyl ethyl ketone and discharging a product stream including 1,3-butadiene and methyl ethyl ketone; d) heating the discharged product stream to 200° C. to 400° C.; and e) introducing the heated product stream into a second adiabatic reactor so that 2,3-butanediol is further dehydrated and converted into 1,3-butadiene and methyl ethyl ketone and then discharging the product stream including 1,3-butadiene and methyl ethyl ketone.

A process for isomerizing an aromatic cut containing at least one aromatic compound containing eight carbon atoms per molecule is described, comprising bringing said cut into contact with at least one catalyst comprising at least one metal from group VIII of the periodic classification of the elements, at least one zeolitic support comprising a zeolite selected from zeolites with structure type EUO and MOR, used alone or as a mixture, and at least one matrix, such that the specific surface area of the matrix in the zeolitic support of said catalyst is in the range 5 to 200 m.sup.2/g.

Process for the preparation of a catalyst and a catalyst comprising the use of more than one silica source is provided herein. Thus, in one embodiment, the invention provides a particulate FCC catalyst comprising about 5 to about 60 wt % one or more zeolites, about 15 to about 35 wt % quasicrystalline boehmite (QCB), about 0 to about 35 wt % microcrystalline boehmite (MCB), greater than about 0 to about 15 wt % silica from sodium stabilized basic colloidal silica, greater than about 0 to about 30 wt % silica from acidic colloidal silica or polysilicic acid, and the balance clay and the process for making the same. This process results in attrition resistant catalysts with a good accessibility.

A highly efficient method for the conversion of a natural product into the high density fuel RJ-4 with concomitant evolution of isobutylene for conversion to fuels and polymers, more specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to efficient methods for the conversion of the renewable, linear terpene alcohol, linalool into a drop-in, high density fuel suitable for ramjet or missile propulsion.

A method for producing butadiene from 2,3-butanediol with high selectivity without using a radioactive substance is disclosed. The method for producing butadiene comprises the step of dehydrating 2,3-butanediol in the presence of a catalyst containing an alkali metal salt of phosphoric acid such as an alkali metal dihydrogen phosphate supported on silica. Preferred examples of the alkali metal herein include K, Rb, and Cs. The catalyst is preferably a catalyst prepared by calcination of the silica to which the alkali metal of phosphoric acid is attached.

Process for the preparation of a catalyst and a catalyst comprising the use of more than one silica source is provided herein. Thus, in one embodiment, the invention provides a particulate FCC catalyst comprising about 5 to about 60 wt % one or more zeolites, about 15 to about 35 wt % quasicrystalline boehmite (QCB), about 0 to about 35 wt % microcrystalline boehmite (MCB), greater than about 0 to about 15 wt % silica from sodium stabilized basic colloidal silica, greater than about 0 to about 30 wt % silica from acidic colloidal silica or polysilicic acid, and the balance clay and the process for making the same. This process results in attrition resistant catalysts with a good accessibility.

Disclosed are a ferrite catalyst and preparation methods thereof. The catalyst is provided with a formula below, wherein A is Mg atom, Zn atom or a mixture of both atoms at any ratio; D is one or more atoms selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, W, Mn, Ca, Mo or V atom; Z is a catalyst carrier, which is one or more selected from the group consisting of calcium phosphate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, aluminum phosphate, aluminum dihydrogen phosphate, ferric phosphate, magnesium phosphate, zinc phosphate, Mg—Al hydrotalcite, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate; a=0.01-0.6; b=0-0.30; c is a number balancing each valence; x, y represent the amounts of principal catalyst and carrier Z respectively, wherein the weight ratio y/x=0.5:1-7:1.
x(FeA.sub.aD.sub.bO.sub.c)/yZ

An oligomerization catalyst, oligomer products, methods for making and using same. The catalyst can include a supported nickel phosphate compound. The catalyst is stable at oligomerization temperatures of 500° C. or higher and particularly useful for making oligomer products containing C4 to C26 olefins having a boiling point in the range of 170° C. to 360° C.