Methods of preparing and using a metal-organic framework (MOF) are provided herein, including methods of using an MOF comprising a repeat unit of the formula [ML].sub.n, wherein M is a divalent metal ion and L is a ligand of the formula: ##STR00001##
The MOFs provided herein may be used in the separation of two or more molecules from each other. In some embodiments, the molecules are ethylene and ethane. In some embodiments, UTSA-280 may be synthesized from calcium oxide (CaO) or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH).sub.2) and squaric acid (SA) through mechanochemical synthesis.

Methods of preparing and using a metal-organic framework (MOF) are provided herein, including methods of using an MOF comprising a repeat unit of the formula [ML].sub.n, wherein M is a divalent metal ion and L is a ligand of the formula: ##STR00001##
The MOFs provided herein may be used in the separation of two or more molecules from each other. In some embodiments, the molecules are ethylene and ethane. In some embodiments, UTSA-280 may be synthesized from calcium oxide (CaO) or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH).sub.2) and squaric acid (SA) through mechanochemical synthesis.

A process for preparing C2 to C3 hydrocarbons may include introducing a feed stream including hydrogen gas and a carbon-containing gas comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof into a reaction zone of a reactor, and converting the feed stream into a product stream comprising C2 to C3 hydrocarbons in the reaction zone in the presence of a hybrid catalyst. The hybrid catalyst may include a metal oxide catalyst component and a microporous catalyst component comprising 8-MR pore openings less than or equal to 5.1 A and a cage defining ring size less than or equal to 7.45 A, where a C2/C3 carbon molar ratio of the product stream is greater than or equal to 0.7.

A process for preparing C2 to C3 hydrocarbons may include introducing a feed stream including hydrogen gas and a carbon-containing gas comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof into a reaction zone of a reactor, and converting the feed stream into a product stream comprising C2 to C3 hydrocarbons in the reaction zone in the presence of a hybrid catalyst. The hybrid catalyst may include a metal oxide catalyst component and a microporous catalyst component comprising 8-MR pore openings less than or equal to 5.1 A and a cage defining ring size less than or equal to 7.45 A, where a C2/C3 carbon molar ratio of the product stream is greater than or equal to 0.7.

Catalysts for the hydrogenolysis of butane are described. A supported catalyst for hydrogenolysis of butane to ethane can include a support and a catalytic crystalline bimetallic composition that can include a molybdenum-iridium (Mo—Ir) crystalline composition attached to the support. The supported catalyst has a BET specific surface area of at least 100 m.sup.2/g, preferably 100 m.sup.2/g to 500 m.sup.2/g. Method of use and methods of making the catalyst are also described.

Catalysts for the hydrogenolysis of butane are described. A supported catalyst for hydrogenolysis of butane to ethane can include a support and a catalytic crystalline bimetallic composition that can include a molybdenum-iridium (Mo—Ir) crystalline composition attached to the support. The supported catalyst has a BET specific surface area of at least 100 m.sup.2/g, preferably 100 m.sup.2/g to 500 m.sup.2/g. Method of use and methods of making the catalyst are also described.

A hydrogenolysis bimetallic supported catalyst comprising a first metal, a second metal, and a zeolitic support; wherein the first metal and the second metal are different; and wherein the first metal and the second metal can each independently be selected from the group consisting of iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), palladium (Pd), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co).

A hydrogenolysis bimetallic supported catalyst comprising a first metal, a second metal, and a zeolitic support; wherein the first metal and the second metal are different; and wherein the first metal and the second metal can each independently be selected from the group consisting of iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), palladium (Pd), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co).

A hydrogenolysis bimetallic supported catalyst comprising a first metal, a second metal, and a zeolitic support; wherein the first metal and the second metal are different; and wherein the first metal and the second metal can each independently be selected from the group consisting of iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), palladium (Pd), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co).

Processes for converting C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. In some embodiments, the process can include feeding a gaseous hydrocarbon feed that can include meta-xylene, ortho-xylene, or both into a conversion zone. The process can also include contacting the gaseous hydrocarbon feed with a catalyst that can include a ZSM-11 zeolite in the conversion zone under conversion conditions to effect isomerization of at least a portion of any meta-xylene, or at least a portion of any ortho-xylene, or both to produce a conversion product rich in para-xylene. In some embodiments, the ZSM-11 zeolite can have an alpha value of 1 to 3,000 and a molar ratio of silica to alumina of from 15 to 200.