An apparatus for forming a C1 to C5 oxygenate from carbon dioxide and a C1 to C4 hydrocarbon is described. The apparatus comprises: a dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, device arranged to generate a plasma; and a passageway having an inlet for the carbon dioxide and the C1 to C4 hydrocarbon and an outlet for the oxygenates. In one example the passageway includes therein a catalyst. The passageway extends, at least in part, through the DBD device wherein, in use, the carbon dioxide in reacted with the C1 to C4 hydrocarbon in the generated plasma, thereby forming the oxygenates from at least some of the carbon dioxide and the C1 to C4 hydrocarbon. The DBD device comprises a conducting liquid as a ground electrode. A method and a use are also described.

An apparatus for forming a C1 to C5 oxygenate from carbon dioxide and a C1 to C4 hydrocarbon is described. The apparatus comprises: a dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, device arranged to generate a plasma; and a passageway having an inlet for the carbon dioxide and the C1 to C4 hydrocarbon and an outlet for the oxygenates. In one example the passageway includes therein a catalyst. The passageway extends, at least in part, through the DBD device wherein, in use, the carbon dioxide in reacted with the C1 to C4 hydrocarbon in the generated plasma, thereby forming the oxygenates from at least some of the carbon dioxide and the C1 to C4 hydrocarbon. The DBD device comprises a conducting liquid as a ground electrode. A method and a use are also described.

There is provided a method for producing isobutylene, in which isobutylene is produced from isobutanol with a high selectivity while suppressing a decrease in the isobutanol conversion rate under pressure. In the method for producing isobutylene according to the present invention, a raw material gas containing isobutanol is brought into contact with a catalyst to produce isobutylene from isobutanol, the method including bringing the raw material gas containing isobutanol into contact with a catalyst at a linear velocity of 1.20 cm/s or more under a pressure of 120 kPa or more in terms of absolute pressure to produce isobutylene from isobutanol.

There is provided a method for producing isobutylene, in which isobutylene is produced from isobutanol with a high selectivity while suppressing a decrease in the isobutanol conversion rate under pressure. In the method for producing isobutylene according to the present invention, a raw material gas containing isobutanol is brought into contact with a catalyst to produce isobutylene from isobutanol, the method including bringing the raw material gas containing isobutanol into contact with a catalyst at a linear velocity of 1.20 cm/s or more under a pressure of 120 kPa or more in terms of absolute pressure to produce isobutylene from isobutanol.

The present invention provides a method for oxidizing pyrenes without any metal-mediated catalyst or reagent. In particular, the present invention provides a method for selectively oxidizing the K-region of pyrenes using a meta-free oxidizing agent to produce a pyrene 4,5-dione and/or a pyrene 4,5,9,10-tetraone compounds.

The present invention provides a method for oxidizing pyrenes without any metal-mediated catalyst or reagent. In particular, the present invention provides a method for selectively oxidizing the K-region of pyrenes using a meta-free oxidizing agent to produce a pyrene 4,5-dione and/or a pyrene 4,5,9,10-tetraone compounds.

The present invention provides a method for oxidizing pyrenes without any metal-mediated catalyst or reagent. In particular, the present invention provides a method for selectively oxidizing the K-region of pyrenes using a meta-free oxidizing agent to produce a pyrene 4,5-dione and/or a pyrene 4,5,9,10-tetraone compounds.

There is provided a catalyst that enables the production of isobutylene with a high selectivity in the production of isobutylene by dehydration of isobutanol. The catalyst according to the present invention contains at least one metal selected from Group 6 to Group 14 metal elements in Period 4 to Period 6 of the periodic table, in alumina which includes alumina consisting of one or more crystal phases of a monoclinic crystal phase, a tetragonal crystal phase, and a cubic crystal phase.

There is provided a catalyst that enables the production of isobutylene with a high selectivity in the production of isobutylene by dehydration of isobutanol. The catalyst according to the present invention contains at least one metal selected from Group 6 to Group 14 metal elements in Period 4 to Period 6 of the periodic table, in alumina which includes alumina consisting of one or more crystal phases of a monoclinic crystal phase, a tetragonal crystal phase, and a cubic crystal phase.

Processes for converting a hydrocarbon reactant into an alcohol compound and/or a carbonyl compound are disclosed in which the hydrocarbon reactant and either a supported chromium (VI) catalyst or a supported chromium (II) catalyst are contacted, optionally with UV-visible light irradiation, followed by exposure to an oxidizing atmosphere and then hydrolysis to form a reaction product containing the alcohol compound and/or the carbonyl compound. The presence of oxygen significant increases the amount of alcohol/carbonyl product formed, as well as the formation of oxygenated dimers and trimers of certain hydrocarbon reactants.