Described are methods for converting methane to olefins, aromatics, or a combination thereof using a single atom catalyst comprising CeO.sub.2 nanoparticles impregnated with individual atoms of noble metals including Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ag, Au, Ir, or a combination thereof. These single atom catalysts of the present invention are heated with methane to form olefins and aromatics.

Described are methods for converting methane to olefins, aromatics, or a combination thereof using a single atom catalyst comprising CeO.sub.2 nanoparticles impregnated with individual atoms of noble metals including Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ag, Au, Ir, or a combination thereof. These single atom catalysts of the present invention are heated with methane to form olefins and aromatics.

Processes, catalysts, and reactor systems for reforming heavy aromatic compounds (C.sub.11+) into C.sub.6-8 aromatic compounds are disclosed. Also disclosed are processes, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing aromatic compounds and liquid fuels from oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like.

Methods for producing supported catalysts containing a transition metal and a bound zeolite base are disclosed. These methods employ a step of impregnating the bound zeolite base with a transition metal precursor in a solvent composition containing water and from about 5 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alcohol compound, a chlorine precursor, and a fluorine precursor. The resultant supported catalysts have improved catalyst activity and selectivity, as well as lower fouling rates in aromatization reactions.

Disclosed are a catalyst system and its use in a process for the conversion of a feedstock containing C.sub.8+ aromatic hydrocarbons to produce light aromatic products, comprising benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst system comprises (a) a first catalyst bed comprising a first catalyst composition, said first catalyst composition comprising a zeolite having a constraint index of 3 to 12 combined (i) optionally with at least one first metal of Group 10 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, and (ii) optionally with at least one second metal of Group 11 to 15 of the IUPAC Periodic Table; and (b) a second catalyst bed comprising a second catalyst composition, said second catalyst composition comprising (i) a meso-mordenite zeolite, combined (ii) optionally with at least one first metal of Group 10 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, and (iii) optionally with at least one second metal of Group 11 to 15 of the IUPAC Periodic Table, wherein said meso-mordenite zeolite is synthesized from TEA or MTEA and having a mesopore surface area of greater than 30 m.sup.2/g and said meso-mordenite zeolite comprises agglomerates composed of primary crystallites, wherein said primary crystallites have an average primary crystal size as measured by TEM of less than 80 nm and an aspect ratio of less than 2.

In one embodiment, a formed catalyst can comprise: a Ge-ZSM-5 zeolite; a binder comprising silica with 1 to less than 5 wt % non-silica oxides; less than or equal to 0.1 wt % residual carbon; 0.4 to 1.5 wt % platinum; and 4.0 to 4.8 wt % Cs; wherein the weight percentages are based upon a total weight of the catalyst. In one embodiment, a method of making a formed catalyst can comprise: mixing an uncalcined Ge-ZSM-5 zeolite and a binder to form a mixture; forming the mixture into a formed zeolite; calcining the formed zeolite to result in the formed zeolite having less than or equal to 0.1 wt % of residual carbon; ion-exchanging the formed zeolite with cesium; depositing platinum on the formed zeolite; and heating the formed zeolite to result in a final catalyst; wherein the final catalyst comprises 4.0 to 4.8 wt % cesium and 0.4 to 1.5 wt % platinum.

In one embodiment, a formed catalyst can comprise: a Ge-ZSM-5 zeolite; a binder comprising silica with 1 to less than 5 wt % non-silica oxides; less than or equal to 0.1 wt % residual carbon; 0.4 to 1.5 wt % platinum; and 4.0 to 4.8 wt % Cs; wherein the weight percentages are based upon a total weight of the catalyst. In one embodiment, a method of making a formed catalyst can comprise: mixing an uncalcined Ge-ZSM-5 zeolite and a binder to form a mixture; forming the mixture into a formed zeolite; calcining the formed zeolite to result in the formed zeolite having less than or equal to 0.1 wt % of residual carbon; ion-exchanging the formed zeolite with cesium; depositing platinum on the formed zeolite; and heating the formed zeolite to result in a final catalyst; wherein the final catalyst comprises 4.0 to 4.8 wt % cesium and 0.4 to 1.5 wt % platinum.

Methods for producing supported catalysts containing a transition metal and a bound zeolite base are disclosed. These methods employ a step of impregnating the bound zeolite base with a transition metal precursor in a solvent composition containing water and from about 5 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alcohol compound, a chlorine precursor, and a fluorine precursor. The resultant supported catalysts have improved catalyst activity and selectivity, as well as lower fouling rates in aromatization reactions.

Methods for producing supported catalysts containing a transition metal and a bound zeolite base are disclosed. These methods employ a step of washing the bound zeolite base in the presence of an alkali metal, prior to impregnating the bound zeolitic support with the transition metal. Alkali metals such as potassium and cesium may be used.

Methods for producing supported catalysts containing a transition metal and a bound zeolite base are disclosed. These methods employ a step of washing the bound zeolite base in the presence of an alkali metal, prior to impregnating the bound zeolitic support with the transition metal. Alkali metals such as potassium and cesium may be used.