The British Petroleum Company, P.l.c.

James A Ballantine

John H Purnell

John M Thomas

Reginald Gregory

David J Westlake

Martin Philip Atkins

John Williams

The invention relates to the use of hydrogen ion-exchanged layered clays in organic reactions which are catalyzed by protons. Such organic reactions include the production of ethers by the reaction of an alcohol with an olefin or an olefin oxide, the production of an ether by the reaction of a primary or secondary aliphatic alcohol or an olefin oxide, the production of an alkyl aromatic compound by the reaction of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an olefin or a C.sub.2 or higher alcohol and the production of an alcohol by the hydration of an olefin.

Proton-catalyzed reactions catalyzed by hydrogen ion-exchanged layered

A novel family of layered clays, called lithiated clays is disclosed. The novel layered clays are characterized by the replaceable hydrogens of the hydroxyl groups within the structure of a layered clay being replaced by lithium. A method of manufacturing the lithiated clays is disclosed together with their use as catalysts.

Lithiated clays and uses thereof

The invention relates to the use of metal cation-exchangeable layered clays in organic reactions which are catalysed by protons in which intercalated water is not a stoichiometric reactant. Such organic reactions include the production of esters by the reaction of an olefin or an olefin oxide with a carboxylic acid, the production of ethers by reaction of an alcohol with an olefin or an olefin oxide, the production of ethers by the reaction of a primary or secondary aliphatic alcohol or an olefin oxide, the production of bis-sec-alkyl ethers from alkenes, the production of alkyl aromatic compounds by the reaction of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an olefin or alcohol and the production of alcohols by the hydration of olefins.

Proton-catalysed reactions in which water is not a stoichiometric

The invention relates to the use of metal cation-exchangeable layered clays in organic reactions which are catalyzed by protons in which intercalated water is not a stoichiometric reactant. Such organic reactions include the production of esters by the reaction of an olefin or an olefin oxide with a carboxylic acid, the production of ethers by reaction of an alcohol with an olefin or an olefin oxide, the production of ethers by the reaction of a primary or secondary aliphatic alcohol or an olefin oxide, the production of bis-sec-alkyl ethers from alkenes, the production of alkyl aromatic compounds by the reaction of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an olefin or alcohol and the production of alcohols by the hydration of olefins.

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West Cross, United Kingdom

James A Ballantine