Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation

David Michael Anthony Minahan

Kenneth A Nielsen

Madan Mohan Bhasin

Kenneth D Campbell

Anca Ghenciu

Alistair Duncan Westwood

Rick David Cantrell

Richard W Wegman

William J Bartley

Chinsoo Stephen Lee

Fungau Ho

Barry Brent Fish

David McNeill Somerville

Paul Frank Bryan

Raymond Edwin Rooks

The present invention provides a catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of a lower hydrocarbon to form at least one higher hydrocarbon and/or lower olefin. In one embodiment, the catalyst includes a nonstoichiometric rare earth oxycarbonate of the formula M C O having a disordered and/or defect structure, wherein M is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm; X&equals;2; Z&equals;3&plus;AY; A is less than about 1.8, and Y is the number of carbon atoms in the oxycarbonate. When used for the oxidative dehydrogenation of a lower hydrocarbon at a pressure above about 100 psig, the catalyst has a selectivity of at least about 40% to at least one higher hydrocarbon and/or lower olefin. Methods for preparing catalysts taught by the invention and processes for using the catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of lower hydrocarbons are also provided.

Catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons

This invention relates in part to a processes for the conversion of a feedstock stream comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen to a product stream comprising at least one of an ester, acid, acid anhydride and mixtures thereof. This invention also relates in part to processes for converting an alcohol and/or ether feedstock to oxygenated products, e.g., esters, acids, acid anhydrides and mixtures thereof. The processes and catalysts are especially suitable for the production of acetic acid and methyl acetate from a synthesis gas feedstock or from an alcohol and/or ether feedstock.

Processes for preparing oxygenates

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Cross Lanes, WV, United States of America

David Michael Anthony Minahan