Suntech, Inc.

Sun Refining and Marketing Company

Sun Oil Company of Pennsylvania

George Suld

James E Lyons

Robert W Shinn

Harry K Myers, Jr

Abraham Daniel Schneider

Paul E Ellis, Jr

Wayne A Langdale

Kenneth A Scott

Alkanes are oxidized in the liquid phase at relatively low temperatures using heteropolyacids or polyoxoanions promoted with azide or certain metals. Such azide catalysts are also part of the invention.

Oxidation of alkanes

Heteropolyacids or polyoxoanions promoted with azide, such as K.sub.6 PW.sub.11 VO.sub.40 N.sub.3, useful in the liquid phase oxidation of alkanes.

Alkane oxidation catalysts

Propylene is oxidized directly to allyl acetate in the presence of acetic acid air or oxygen in the liquid phase under moderate reaction conditions employing a palladium-on-carbon catalyst which has been pre-treated be activating it with propylene at temperatures of greater than about 50.degree. C., preferably from 60.degree. to 150.degree. C., for a period of time sufficient to form a small but perceptible quantity of said activated catalyst, preferably for at least 10 minutes in the substantial absence of oxygen.

Catalytic oxidation of propylene to allyl acetate

Propylene is oxidized directly to allyl acetate in the presence of acetic acid with air or oxygen in the liquid phase under moderate reaction conditions employing a palladium-on-carbon catalyst which has been pre-treated by activating it with propylene at temperatures of greater than about 50.degree. C., preferably from 60.degree. to 150.degree. C., for a period of time sufficient to form a small but perceptible quantity of said activated catalyst, preferably for at least 10 minutes in the substantial absence of oxygen.

Equimolar amounts of phenol and formaldehyde may be prepared from oxygen and toluene. The catalytic oxidation of toluene, when carried out in the presence of acetic anhydride, forms phenyl acetate and methylene diacetate. Pyrolysis of these two intermediates yields phenol and formaldehyde. Significant improvements in this process are achieved when the first stage of the reaction is carried out in the presence of MoO.sub.3. In a further embodiment of this invention it has been found that Group VIII dithiosemibenzil compounds, particularly nickel dithiosemibenzil, serves as a superior promoter for the toluene oxidation reaction. In still a further embodiment of this invention it has been found that persulfate promoters such as potassium persulfate, persulfuric acid, or Caro's dry acid are particularly effective promoters for the toluene oxidation reaction. In a like manner, hydroquinone or resorcinol may be obtained from cresyl acetates.

Catalytic process for the conversion of toluene to equimolar amounts of

A process for converting Udex raffinate to a high octane fuel component by mild, liquid phase oxidation to a product of moderate to low acidity, distilling off a neutral oxidate, esterifying the acidic residue to a neutral product and combining the neutral oxidate and the esterified portion.

Process for making a high octane fuel component

Norbornadiene [bicyclo (2.2.1) heptadiene-2,5] is dimerized to a mixture of mainly the exo-endo stereoisomer of the hexacylic dimer of norbornadiene at both an excellent selectivity and conversion using an effective amount of a two component catalytic system of rhodium acetylacetonate and diethylaluminum chloride or ethylaluminum dichloride or aluminum ethylsesquichloride. The mixture also contains the endo-endo stereoisomer and some trimer. After hydrogenation a suitable mixture of the exo-endo and endo-endo dimers can be used as a component of high energy fuel.

Dimerization of norbornadiene to a mixture of exo-endo and endo-endo

The oxidation of methyl benzenes, such as toluene, with air or oxygen in the presence of acetic anhydride and sulfuric acid catalyst to form a phenolic acetate and methylene diacetate may be carried out under mild conditions when small amounts of benzaldehyde are added to the reaction. The resulting acetates may then be pyrolyzed to yield phenolic compounds and formaldehyde, respectively.

Co-oxidation of methyl benzenes and benzaldehyde to phenolics and

The oxidation of methyl benzenes with air or oxygen in the presence of acetic anhydride, benzaldehyde and an acid catalyst under mild reaction conditions yields a phenolic acetate and formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde when the ratio of acetic anhydride to methyl benzene is adjusted to provide the selective formation of the phenolic acetate and formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde. In this process, it is essential that the flow of air or oxygen through the reaction medium be maintained at a sufficient rate to provide for the continuous removal of formaldehyde as it is formed. The formaldehyde may then be recovered in the form of paraformaldehyde.

Method for the preparation of phenolic acetates and paraformaldehyde

Oxidation of methyl benzenes with air or oxygen to form a phenolic acetate and formaldehyde or methylene diacetate may be carried out in the presence of acetic acid, phosphorus pentoxide, benzaldehyde and an acid catalyst. The resulting acetates may then be pyrolyzed to yield phenolic compounds and formaldehyde, respectively.

Oxidation of methyl benzenes in the presence of acetic acid and a

Equimolar amounts of vinyl acetate and phenol may be prepared by oxidation of ethyl benzene. The catalytic oxidation, of ethyl benzene, when carried out in the presence of acetic anhydride, forms phenyl acetate and ethylidene diacetate. Pyrolysis of these two intermediates yields vinyl acetate and phenol. In a further embodiment of this invention it has been found that persulfate promoters such as potassium persulfate, persulfuric acid, or Caro's dry acid are particularly effective promoters for this oxidation reaction.

Catalytic process for the conversion of ethyl benzene to equimolar

Norbornadiene [bicyclo(2.2.1)heptadiene-2,5] is dimerized to the exo-exo stereoisomer of the hexacyclic dimer of norbornadiene at both an excellent selectivity and conversion using an effective amount of a three component catalytic system of diethylaluminum chloride, ferric or ferrous or cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate and bis(1,2-diphenylphosphino)ethane. The reaction rate is rapid. After hydrogenation the exo-exo hexacyclic dimer can be used as a component of high energy fuel for either jet or rocket propulsion.

Dimerization of norbornadiene to exo-exo hexacyclic dimer

A highly selective, one-step conversion of toluene to benzylidene diacetate is provided by the reaction of toluene with O.sub.2 and acetic anhydride in the presence of an acid catalyst. No metal catalysts are required.

Direct oxidation of toluene to benzylidene diacetate

Benzylidene diacetate may be converted to phenyl acetate and methylene diacetate by an acid-catalyzed reaction in the presence of oxygen or air, and acetic anhydride, at elevated temperatures and pressures.

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Springfield, PA, United States of America

George Suld