Saudi Basic Industries Corporation

John S Ledford

Xiankuan Zhang

Jaap Willem Van Hal

Scott A Stevenson

Wugeng Liang

James Kauffman

Joseph R Linzer

Paulette N Hazin

Frederick Merrill Galloway, Jr

Andy H Nuyen

A one-step vapor phase oxidation process produces an unsaturated carboxylic acid, such as acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, from an alkane, such as propane or isobutane, with a mixed metal oxide catalyst and an excess of alkane relative to oxygen. The unreacted alkane and the byproduct alkene are recycled to the reaction zone without separation. Overall yield and productivity of the unsaturated carboxylic improves for such a process. An analogous method for the preparation of unsaturated nitrites is also disclosed.

Process for producing an unsaturated carboxylic acid from an alkane

A catalyst for production of unsaturated aldehydes, such as methacrolein, by gas phase catalytic oxidation of olefins, such as isobutylene, contains oxides of molybdenum, bismuth, iron, cesium and, optionally, other metals. The catalyst has a certain relative amount ratio of cesium to bismuth, a certain relative amount ratio of iron to bismuth and a certain relative amount ratio of bismuth, iron, cesium and certain other metals to molybdenum and, optionally, tungsten. For a catalyst of the formula:MoBiWFeCoNiSbCsMgZnPOwherein a is 0.1 to 1.5, b is 0 to 4, c is 0.2 to 5.0, d is 0 to 9, e is 0 to 9, f is 0 to 2.0, g is from 0.4 to 1.5, h is 0 to 1.5, i is 0 to 2.0, j is 0 to 0.5 and x is determined by the valences of the other components, c:g=3.3-5.0, c:a=2.0-6.0 and (3a+3c+2d+2e+g+2h+2i)/(2&#xd7;12+2b)=0.95-1.10.

Mixed metal oxide catalysts for the production of unsaturated aldehydes from olefins

A catalyst for production of unsaturated aldehydes, such as methacrolein, by gas phase catalytic oxidation of olefins, such as isobutylene, contains oxides of molybdenum, bismuth, iron, cesium and, optionally, other metals. The catalyst has a certain relative amount ratio of cesium to bismuth, a certain relative amount ratio of iron to bismuth and a certain relative amount ratio of bismuth, iron, cesium and certain other metals to molybdenum and, optionally, tungsten. For a catalyst of the formula:MoBiWFeCoNiSbCsMgZnPOwherein a is 0.1 to 1.5, b is 0 to 4, c is 0.2 to 5.0, d is 0 to 9, e is 0 to 9, f is 0 to 2.0, g is from 0.4 to 1.5, h is 0 to 1.5, i is 0 to 2.0, j is 0 to 0.5 and x is determined by the valences of the other components, c:g=3.3-5.0, c:a=2.0-6.0 and (3322+g+22)/(2&#xd7;12+2)=0.95-1.10.

Disclosed is a process for the preparation of alkylene glycols from the corresponding alkylene oxide, such as ethylene glycol from ethylene oxide, in the presence of water, a catalyst and, optionally, carbon dioxide. The catalyst is a SALEN-type compound which contains an amino group and an oxy or hydroxy group connected by a hydrocarbon, such as an alkyl or an alkylaryl. The SALEN-type compounds may be Schiff bases, i.e., a condensate product of a primary amine with an aldehyde, ketone or an alcohol. The SALEN-type compound may be a mono or bis compound and may be complexed with a Group 4-14 metal, such as aluminum, tin, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt or platinum.

Process for the preparation of alkylene glycols

A catalyst for production of unsaturated aldehydes, such as methacrolein, by gas phase catalytic oxidation of olefins, such as isobutylene, contains oxides of molybdenum, bismuth, iron, cesium and, optionally, other metals. The catalyst has a certain relative amount ratio of cesium to bismuth, a certain relative amount ratio of iron to bismuth and a certain relative amount ratio of bismuth, iron, cesium and certain other metals to molybdenum and, optionally, tungsten. For a catalyst of the formula:MoBiWFeCoNiSbCsMgZnPOwherein a is 0.1 to 1.5, b is 0 to 4, c is 0.2 to 5.0, d is 0 to 9, e is 0 to 9, f is 0 to 2.0, g is from 0.4 to 1.5, h is 0 to 1.5, i is 0 to 2.0, j is 0 to 0.5 and x is determined by the valences of the other components, c:g=3.3&#x2013;5.0, c:a=2.0&#x2013;6.0 and (3a+3c+2d+2e+g+2h+2i)/(2&#xd7;12+2b)=0.95&#x2013;1.10.

Disclosed is a process for the preparation of alkylene glycols from the corresponding alkylene oxide, such as ethylene glycol from ethylene oxide, in the presence of water, a catalyst and, optionally, carbon dioxide. The catalyst contains an amphoteric compound, such as such as (ethylenedinitrilo) tetraacetic acid (EDTA). These befunctional compounds have both acid and base moieties. Preferably, a compound useful in the present invention forms a buffered solution in water, i.e., the acid and base moieties do not completely disassociate. The pH of the buffered solution should be 2-10, preferably 5-10, more preferably 4-9. A compound useful in the present invention is preferably organic with the base moiety and the acid moiety being separated by one to four carbon atoms.

Disclosed is a process for the preparation of alkylene glycols from the corresponding alkylene oxide, such as ethylene glycol from ethylene oxide, in the presence of water, a catalyst and, optionally, carbon dioxide. The catalyst contains amines which are weak bases, specifically having pKof at least 5.5, preferably 8 to 11. The amines may be primary, secondary, tertiary or a blend thereof or may be a compound having a structural combination of primary, secondary and/or tertiary amines.

Growing community of inventors

Sugar Land, TX, United States of America

John S Ledford