E.i. Dupont De Nemours and Company

Ke Li

Ronnie Ozer

A process is provided for the synthesis of furan and related compounds by vapor-phase decarbonylation of furfural and derivatives, using a palladium/metal aluminate catalyst that has been promoted with an alkali carbonate, such as cesium carbonate. The use of such catalysts, which are inherently less acidic than alumina, results in improved lifetime and high productivity.

Vapor-phase decarbonylation process

A process is provided for the synthesis of furan and related compounds by liquid-phase decarbonylation of furfural and derivatives, using a palladium/metal aluminate catalyst. The compounds so produced can be used as starting materials for industrial chemicals for use as pharmaceuticals, herbicides, stabilizers, and polymers such as polyether ester elastomers and polyurethane elastomers.

Decarbonylation process

A process is provided for the synthesis of furan and related compounds by vapor phase decarbonylation of furfural and derivatives, using a palladium/alumina catalyst that has been promoted with an alkali carbonate. Catalyst lifetime is improved. The catalyst can be regenerated in situ by feeding a mixture of air and steam, with a composition of between about 2% and about 40% air, to the catalyst bed at a temperature between about 300&#xb0; C. and about 500&#xb0; C.

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Wilmington, DE, United States of America

Ke Li