Crystalline oxy-hydroxide transition metal molybdotungstate

Abstract

A unique crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material has been developed. The material may be sulfided to generate metal sulfides which are used as a catalyst in a conversion process such as hydroprocessing. The hydroprocessing may include hydrodenitrification, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodemetallation, hydrodesilication, hydrodearomatization, hydroisomerization, hydrotreating, hydrofining, and hydrocracking.

Claims

1. A crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material having the formula:
M(OH).sub.aMo.sub.xW.sub.yO.sub.z where M is a metal selected from Mn, Fe, Co Ni, V, Cu, Zn and mixtures thereof; a varies from 0.001 to 2; x varies from 0.001 to 1.2; y varies from 0.4 to 1.2; the sum of (x+y) varies from 0.4 to 1.4; z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valency of M, x and y; the material is further characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A: TABLE-US-00008 TABLE A d() I/I.sub.0 (%) 7.54 w-m 4.6 s 3.87 s 2.92 s 2.51 vs 1.7 vs 1.63 m.

2. The crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material of claim 1 wherein the material is present in a mixture with at least one binder and wherein the mixture comprises up to 25 wt % binder.

3. The crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material of claim 2 wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of silicas, aluminas, and silica-aluminas.

4. The crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material of claim 1 wherein M is nickel or cobalt.

5. The crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material of claim 1 wherein M is nickel.

6. The crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material of claim 1 wherein the crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material is sulfided to convert at least a portion of the material to a metal sulfide, wherein the metal sulfide is used as a catalyst.

7. A method of making a crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material having the formula:
M(OH).sub.aMo.sub.xW.sub.yO.sub.z where M is a metal selected from Mn, Fe, Co Ni, V, Cu, Zn and mixtures thereof; a varies from 0.001 to 2; x varies from 0.001 to 1.2; y varies from 0.4 to 1.2; the sum of (x+y) varies from 0.4 to 1.4; z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valency of M, x and y; the material is further characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A: TABLE-US-00009 TABLE A d() I/I.sub.0 (%) 7.54 w-m 4.6 s 3.87 s 2.92 s 2.51 vs 1.7 vs 1.63 m the method comprising: a. forming a reaction mixture containing H.sub.2O, M, W and Mo; b. adjusting the pH of the reaction mixture to a pH of about 6.5 to about 10; c. reacting the reaction mixture at a temperature from about 90 C. to about 250 C. in an autogenous environment; and d. recovering the crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the reacting is conducted for a period of time from about 30 minutes to about 14 days.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the recovering is by filtration, centrifugation, or decantation.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising adding a binder to the recovered crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of aluminas, silicas, and alumina-silicas.

12. The method of claim 7 further comprising sulfiding at least a portion of the recovered crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material to generate metal sulfides, wherein the metal sulfides are used as catalysts.

13. A hydroprocessing process comprising contacting a material with a sulfiding agent to convert at least a portion of the material to a metal sulfide and contacting the metal sulfide with a feed selected from diesel, gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, gas oils, distillates, and reformate at conversion conditions for hydroprocessing the feed, the material comprising: a crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material having the formula:
M(OH).sub.aMo.sub.xW.sub.yO.sub.z where M is a metal selected from Mn, Fe, Co Ni, V, Cu, Zn and mixtures thereof; a varies from 0.001 to 2; x varies from 0.001 to 1.2; y varies from 0.4 to 1.2; the sum of (x+y) varies from 0.4 to 1.4; z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valency of M, x and y; the material is further characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A: TABLE-US-00010 TABLE A d() I/I.sub.0 (%) 7.54 w-m 4.6 s 3.87 s 2.92 s 2.51 vs 1.7 vs 1.63 m wherein, the conversion conditions include a reaction pressure from about 2.5 MPa to about 17.2 MPa, and a reaction temperature from about 245 C. to about 440 C., and a liquid hour space velocity (LVSH) of 0.1 h.sup.1 to 10 h.sup.1.

14. The process of claim 13 wherein the hydroprocessing process is selected from hydrodenitrification, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodemetallation, hydrodesilication, hydrodearomatization, hydroisomerization, hydrotreating, hydrofining, and hydrocracking.

15. The process of claim 13 wherein the material is present in a mixture with at least one binder and wherein the mixture comprises up to 25 wt % binder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows computed Fourier transform amplitudes from the crystals of Example 1, which were used to measure the lattice spacings observed in the transition electron microscope (TEM) image of FIG. 2.

(2) FIG. 2 is a high-resolution transition electron microscope (TEM) showing individual nanocrystals of crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate prepared by Example 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is the x-ray powder diffraction pattern of a crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate prepared by the method described in the Examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) The present invention relates to a novel crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate composition and a process for preparing the composition. The material has the designation UPM-2. This composition has an empirical formula:
M(OH).sub.aMo.sub.xW.sub.yO.sub.z
where M is a metal selected from Mn, Fe, Co Ni, V, Cu, Zn and mixtures thereof; a varies from 0.001 to 2; x varies from 0.001 to 1.2, or from 0.01 to 1, or from 0.1 to 0.5; y varies from 0.4 to 1.2, or from 0.45 to 1, or from 0.5 to 0.9; the sum of (x+y) varies from 0.4 to 1.4, or from 0.45 to 1.2, or from 0.5 to 1; z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valency of M, x and y.

(5) The crystalline composition of the invention is characterized by having an extended network of M-O-M, where M represents a metal, or combination of metals listed above. The structural units repeat itself into at least two adjacent unit cells without termination of the bonding. The composition can have a one-dimensional network, such as, for example, linear chains.

(6) The novel crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate composition is further characterized by a unique x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A.

(7) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE A d() I/I.sub.0 (%) 7.54 w-m 4.6 s 3.87 s 2.92 s 2.51 vs 1.7 vs 1.63 m

(8) The novel crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate composition of the invention is further characterized by the x-ray powder diffraction pattern shown in FIG. 3 and the images in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2

(9) The novel crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate composition can be prepared by solvothermal crystallization of a reaction mixture, typically by mixing reactive sources of molybdenum and tungsten with the appropriate metal M.

(10) Sources of Mo, W, or M include, but are not limited to, the respective halide, sulfide, acetate, nitrate, carbonate, sulfate, oxalate, thiols, hydroxide salts, and oxides of Mo, W or M. Specific examples of sources include, but are not limited to, manganese nitrate, manganese chloride, manganese bromide, manganese sulfate, manganese carbonate, manganese sulfide, manganese hydroxide, manganese oxide, zirconium nitrate, zirconium oxychloride, zirconium bromide, zirconium sulfate, zirconium basic carbonate, zirconium hydroxide, zirconium oxide, copper nitrate, copper chloride, copper bromide, copper sulfate, copper carbonate, copper acetate, copper oxalate, copper sulfide, copper hydroxide, copper oxide, zinc nitrate, zinc chloride, iron bromide, zinc sulfate, zinc carbonate, zinc acetate, zinc oxalate, zinc sulfide, zinc hydroxide, zinc oxide, and any mixture thereof. Additional specific sources include nickel chloride, nickel bromide, nickel nitrate, nickel acetate, nickel carbonate, nickel hydroxide, cobalt chloride, cobalt bromide, cobalt nitrate, cobalt acetate, cobalt carbonate, cobalt hydroxide, cobalt sulfide, nickel chloride, cobalt oxide, nickel bromide, nickel sulfide, nickel oxide, iron acetate, iron oxalate, iron nitrate, iron chloride, iron bromide, iron sulfate, iron carbonate, iron oxalate, iron sulfide, iron oxide, magnesium chloride, titanium oxide, titanium tetrachloride, vanadium chloride and any mixture thereof. Yet additional sources include, but are not limited to, molybdates, tungstates, thiolmolybdates, and thioltungstates, such as molybdenum trioxide, ammonium dimolybdate, ammonium thiomolybdate, ammonium heptamolybdate, sodium dimolybdate, sodium thiomolybdate, sodium heptamolybdate, potassium dimolybdate, potassium thiomolybdate, potassium heptamolybdate, molybdenum sulfide, tungsten trioxide, tungstic acid, tungsten oxytetrachloride, tungsten hexachloride, hydrogen tungstate, ammonium ditungstate, sodium ditungstate, ammonium metatungstate, ammonium paratungstate, sodium ditungstate, sodium ditungstate, sodium metatungstate, sodium paratungstate, and any mixture thereof.

(11) Generally, the process used to prepare the composition of this invention involves forming a reaction mixture wherein all of the components, such as for example, Ni, Mo, W, NH.sub.4OH and H2O are mixed in solution together. By way of one specific example, a reaction mixture may be formed which in terms of molar ratios of the oxides is expressed by the formula:
MO.sub.x:AMoO.sub.y:BWO.sub.z:C(NH.sub.3):H.sub.2O
where M is selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, vanadium, manganese, copper, zinc and mixtures thereof; x is a number which satisfies the valency of M; A represents the ratio of Mo relative to M and may vary from 0.1 to 3, or from 0.75 to 2, or from 1 to 1.5; y is a number which satisfies the valency of Mo; B represents the ratio of W relative to M and may vary from 0.1 to 3, or from 0.75 to 2, or from 1 to 1.5; z is a number which satisfies the valency of W; C represents the ratio of NH.sub.3 relative to M and may vary from 0.5 to 15 or from 1 to 10 or from 3 to 7; the ratio of H.sub.2O relative to M, varies from 0.1 to 1000, or from 1 to 300, or from 1 to 100.

(12) The pH of the mixture is adjusted to a value of from about 6.5 to about 10, or from about 8.5 to about 10. The pH of the mixture can be controlled through the addition of a base such as NH.sub.4OH, quaternary ammonium hydroxides, amines, and the like.

(13) Once the reaction mixture is formed, the reaction mixture is reacted at temperatures ranging from about 90 C. to about 250 C. for a period of time ranging from 30 minutes to around 14 days. In one embodiment, the temperate range for the reaction is from about 90 C. to about 120 C. and in another embodiment the temperature is in the range of from about 130 C. to about 180 C. In one embodiment, the reaction time is from about 2 to about 4 hours, and in another embodiment the reaction time is from about 4 to 7 days. The reaction is carried out under atmospheric pressure or in a sealed vessel under autogenous pressure. In one embodiment, the synthesis may be conducted in an open vessel. The novel crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate compositions are recovered as the reaction product. The recovery may be by decantation, filtration, or centrifugation. The novel crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate compositions are characterized by their unique x-ray powder diffraction pattern as shown in Table A above and FIG. 3. Further analyses are shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2.

(14) In the art of hydrothermal synthesis of metal oxides, it is well known that hydroxide defects occur in metal oxides made by this route, and are located either internally as defects or externally as a result of often large external surface areas that are at least partially hydroxylated. These nonstoichiometric amounts of hydroxide moieties additively, together with the oxide ions, account for the collective valences of the metal ions in the compositions.

(15) Once formed, the novel crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate may have a binder incorporated, where the selection of binder includes but is not limited to, anionic and cationic clays such as hydrotalcites, pyroaurite-sjogrenite-hydrotalcites, montmorillonite and related clays, kaolin, sepiolites, silicas, alumina such as (pseudo) boehomite, gibbsite, flash calcined gibbsite, eta-alumina, zicronica, titania, alumina coated titania, silica-alumina, silica coated alumina, alumina coated silicas and mixtures thereof, or other materials generally known as particle binders in order to maintain particle integrity. These binders may be applied with or without peptization. The binder may be added to the bulk crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate composition, and the amount of binder may range from about 1 to about 30 wt % of the finished catalysts or from about 5 to about 26 wt % of the finished catalyst. The binder may be chemically bound to the novel crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate composition, or may be present in a physical mixture with the novel crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate composition.

(16) At least a portion of the crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate, with or without a binder, or before or after inclusion of a binder, can be sulfided in situ in an application or pre-sulfided to form metal sulfides which in turn are used in an application. The sulfidation may be conducted under a variety of sulfidation conditions such as through contact of the crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate with a sulfiding agent such as sulfur containing stream or feedstream as well as the use of a gaseous mixture of H.sub.2S/H.sub.2. The sulfidation of the crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate is performed at elevated temperatures, typically ranging from 50 to 600 C., or from 150 to 500 C., or from 250 to 450 C. The sulfiding step can take place at a location remote from other synthesis steps, remote from the location of the application where the crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate will be used, or remote from both the location of synthesis and remote from location of use. The materials resulting from the sulfiding step are referred to as metal sulfides which can be used as catalysts in conversion processes.

(17) As discussed, at least a portion of the crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate of this invention can be sulfided and the resulting metal sulfides used as catalysts in conversion processes such as hydrocarbon conversion processes. Hydroprocessing is one class of hydrocarbon conversion processes in which the crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate, or metal sulfides derived therefrom, is useful as a catalyst. Examples of specific hydroprocessing processes are well known in the art and include hydrodenitrification, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodemetallation, hydrodesilication, hydrodearomatization, hydroisomerization, hydrotreating, hydrofining, and hydrocracking. In one embodiment, a conversion process comprises contacting the crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate with a sulfiding agent to generate metal sulfides which are contacted with a feed stream at conversion conditions to generate at least one product.

(18) The operating conditions of the hydroprocessing processes listed above typically include reaction pressures from about 2.5 MPa to about 17.2 MPa, or in the range of about 5.5 to about 17.2 MPa, with reaction temperatures in the range of about 245 C. to about 440 C., or in the range of about 285 C. to about 425 C. Contact time for the feed and the active catalyst, referred to as liquid hour space velocities (LHSV), should be in the range of about 0.1 h.sup.1 to about 10 h.sup.1, or about 2.0 h.sup.1 to about 8.0 h.sup.1. Specific subsets of these ranges may be employed depending upon the feedstock being used. For example, when hydrotreating a typical diesel feedstock, operating conditions may include from about 3.5 MPa to about 8.6 MPa, from about 315 C. to about 410 C., from about 0.25/h to about 5/h, and from about 84 Nm.sup.3 H.sub.2/m.sup.3 to about 850 Nm.sup.3 H.sub.2/m.sup.3 feed. Other feedstocks may include gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, gas oils, distillates, and reformate.

(19) Examples are provided below so that the invention may be described more completely. These examples are only by way of illustration and should not be interpreted as a limitation of the broad scope of the invention, which is set forth in the appended claims.

(20) High-resolution TEM imaging in the following examples was performed using a JEOL 3000F TEM operated at 300 kV accelerating voltage. Images were recorded on a Gatan US1000 CCD camera. TEM image shown in FIG. 2 shows individual nanocrystals from example 1. FIG. 1 shows computed Fourier transform amplitudes from the crystals, which were used to measure the lattice spacings observed in the TEM image. The uncertainty of these measurements for the instrument and imaging conditions was assessed using the (200) spacing of an oriented gold foil, which was accurate to within 5% of the spacing.

(21) X-ray diffraction patterns presented in the following examples were obtained using standard x-ray powder diffraction techniques. The radiation source was a high-intensity, x-ray tube operated at 45 kV and 35 mA. The diffraction pattern from the copper K-alpha radiation was obtained by appropriate computer based techniques. Powder samples were pressed flat into a plate and continuously scanned from 3 and 70 (2). Interplanar spacings (d) in Angstrom units were obtained from the position of the diffraction peaks expressed as , where is the Bragg angle as observed from digitized data. Intensities were determined from the integrated area of diffraction peaks after subtracting background, I.sub.O being the intensity of the strongest line or peak, and I being the intensity of each of the other peaks. As will be understood by those skilled in the art the determination of the parameter 2 is subject to both human and mechanical error, which in combination can impose an uncertainty of about 0.4 on each reported value of 2. This uncertainty is also translated to the reported values of the d-spacings, which are calculated from the 2 values. In some of the x-ray patterns reported, the relative intensities of the d-spacings are indicated by the notations vs, s, m, and w, which represent very strong, strong, medium, and weak, respectively. In terms of 100(I/I.sub.0), the above designations are defined as:
w=0.0001-15,m=15-60: s=60-80 and vs=80-100.

(22) In certain instances, the purity of a synthesized product may be assessed with reference to its x-ray powder diffraction pattern. Thus, for example, if a sample is stated to be pure, it is intended only that the x-ray pattern of the sample is free of lines attributable to crystalline impurities, not that there are no amorphous materials present. As will be understood to those skilled in the art, it is possible for different poorly crystalline materials to yield peaks at the same position. If a material is composed of multiple poorly crystalline materials, then the peak positions observed individually for each poorly crystalline material would be observed in the resulting summed diffraction pattern. Likewise, it is possible to have some peaks appear at the same positions within different, single phase, crystalline materials, which may be simply a reflection of a similar distance within the materials and not that the materials possess the same structure.

Example 1

(23) Ammonium metatungstate hydrate (53.28 g, 0.21 moles of W), ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate (31.74 g, 0.18 moles of Mo) and nickel nitrate hexahydrate (104.76 g, 0.36 moles of Ni) were dissolved in 1000 ml of DI H.sub.2O, concentrated ammonium hydroxide (30%) was added to adjust the pH 7.5. The solution was transferred to a 2000 ml stainless steel reactor and heated to 150 C. over a 3 hour period with a stirring rate of 150 rpm. The reaction was held at 150 C. for 7 days after which it was allowed to cool to room temperature. This precipitate was cooled to room temperature, filtered, washed with 90 ml of about 90 C. water and then dried at 100 C. Individual nanocrystals of the dried precipitate are shown in the TEM image of FIG. 2, and FIG. 1 shows computed Fourier transform amplitudes from the crystals, which were used to measure the lattice spacings observed in the TEM image. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the dried precipitate is shown in FIG. 3.

Example 2

(24) Ammonium metatungstate hydrate (87.5 g, 0.347 moles of W) was dissolved in 600 ml of H.sub.2O. The pH of the solution was increases to pH 10 using concentrated NH.sub.4OH. A second solution was prepared by dissolving ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate (30.5 g, 0.173 moles of Mo) and nickel nitrate hexahydrate (125.7 g, 0.43 moles of Ni) in 600 ml of H.sub.2O. The two solutions were mixed together and the pH was adjusted to pH 8 using NH.sub.4OH before being transferred to a 2000 ml stainless steel reactor and heated to 180 C. over a 3 hour period with a stirring rate of 300 rpm. The reaction was held at 180 C. for 24 hrs after which it was allowed to cool to room temperature. This precipitate was cooled to room temperature, filtered, washed with hot water (90 C.) and then dried at 100 C. Individual nanocrystals of the dried precipitate are shown in the TEM image of FIG. 2, and FIG. 1 shows computed Fourier transform amplitudes from the crystals, which were used to measure the lattice spacings observed in the TEM image. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the dried precipitate is shown in FIG. 3.

Example 3

(25) Ammonium metatungstate hydrate (77 g, 0.305 moles of W) was dissolved in 600 ml of H.sub.2O. The pH of the solution was increases to pH 10 using concentrated NH.sub.4OH. A second solution was prepared by adding molybdenum trioxide (23.2 g, 0.16 moles of Mo) and nickel nitrate hexahydrate (125.7 g, 0.43 moles of Ni) in 600 ml of H.sub.2O. The two solutions were mixed together and the pH was adjusted to pH 8 using NH.sub.4OH before being transferred to a 2000 ml stainless steel reactor and heated to 180 C. over a 3 hour period with a stirring rate of 300 rpm. The reaction was held at 180 C. for 24 hrs after which it was allowed to cool to room temperature. This precipitate was cooled to room temperature, separated by centrifugation (10,000 rpm for 15 minutes) and washed with hot water (90 C.) and then dried at 100 C. Individual nanocrystals of the dried precipitate are shown in the TEM image of FIG. 2, and FIG. 1 shows computed Fourier transform amplitudes from the crystals, which were used to measure the lattice spacings observed in the TEM image. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the dried precipitate is shown in FIG. 3.

Embodiments

(26) A first embodiment is a crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material having the formula:
M(OH).sub.aMo.sub.xW.sub.yO.sub.z
where M is a metal selected from Mn, Fe, Co Ni, V, Cu, Zn and mixtures thereof; a varies from 0.001 to 2; x varies from 0.001 to 1.2; y varies from 0.4 to 1.2; the sum of (x+y) varies from 0.4 to 1.4; z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valency of M, x and y; the material is further characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A:

(27) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE A d() I/I.sub.0 (%) 7.54 w-m 4.6 s 3.87 s 2.92 s 2.51 vs 1.7 vs 1.63 m

(28) Another embodiment is the crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material of the first embodiment wherein the material is present in a mixture with at least one binder and wherein the mixture comprises up to 25 wt-% binder. The binder may be selected from the group consisting of silicas, aluminas, and silica-aluminas. M may be nickel or cobalt. M may be nickel. The crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material may be sulfided.

(29) A second embodiment is a method of making a crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material having the formula:
M(OH).sub.aMo.sub.xW.sub.yO.sub.z
where M is a metal selected from Mn, Fe, Co Ni, V, Cu, Zn and mixtures thereof; a varies from 0.001 to 2; x varies from 0.001 to 1.2; y varies from 0.4 to 1.2; the sum of (x+y) varies from 0.4 to 1.4; z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valency of M, x and y; the material is further characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A:

(30) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE A d() I/I.sub.0 (%) 7.54 w-m 4.6 s 3.87 s 2.92 s 2.51 vs 1.7 vs 1.63 m
the method comprising: a. forming a reaction mixture containing H.sub.2O, M, W and Mo; b. adjusting the pH of the reaction mixture to a pH of about 6.5 to about 10; c. reacting the reaction mixture at a temperature from about 90 C. to about 250 C. in an autogenous environment; and d. recovering the crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material.

(31) The reacting may be conducted for a period of time from about 30 minutes to about 14 days. The recovering may be by filtration, centrifugation, or decantation. The method may further comprise adding a binder to the recovered crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material. The binder may be selected from the group consisting of aluminas, silicas, and alumina-silicas. The recovered crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material may be sulfide.

(32) A third embodiment is a conversion process comprising contacting a material with a sulfiding agent to convert at least a portion of the material to a metal sulfide and contacting the metal sulfide with a feed at conversion conditions to give at least one product, the material comprising: a crystalline transition metal molybdotungstate material having the formula:
M(OH).sub.aMo.sub.xW.sub.yO.sub.z
where M is a metal selected from Mn, Fe, Co Ni, V, Cu, Zn and mixtures thereof; a varies from 0.001 to 2; x varies from 0.001 to 1.2; y varies from 0.4 to 1.2; the sum of (x+y) varies from 0.4 to 1.4; z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valency of M, x and y; the material is further characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A:

(33) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE A d() I/I.sub.0 (%) 7.54 w-m 4.6 s 3.87 s 2.92 s 2.51 vs 1.7 vs 1.63 m

(34) The conversion process may be hydroprocessing. The conversion process may be hydrodenitrification, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodemetallation, hydrodesilication, hydrodearomatization, hydroisomerization, hydrotreating, hydrofining, or hydrocracking. The material may be present in a mixture with at least one binder and wherein the mixture comprises up to 25 wt-% binder.