Catalytica, Inc.

Catalytica Associates, Inc.

Paul R Wentrcek

Jere D Fellmann

Robert James Saxton

Janis Vasilevskis

Jacques C De Deken

Lyubov S Kipnis

Eric G Derouane

Peter H Kilner

Jere D Fellman

Pascale Massiani

Phat T Lu

Selective sorption of dialkylated multinuclear aromatic compounds

The selective isopropylation of biphenyl or 4-isopropylbiphenyl to diisopropylbiphenyl while maximizing the yield of the 4,4'-diisopropoylbiphenyl isomer is achieved by carrying out the reaction in the presence of an acidic crystalline molecular sieve with pore aperture 5.7-6.1 .ANG., preferably SAPO-11 or ZSM-12.

Manufacture of 4,4'-diisopropylbiphenyl

Process for selective diisopropylation of naphthyl compounds using shape

A process for enriching the fraction of 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene contained in a quantity of mixed dialkylated naphthalenes. The mixed dialkylated naphthalenes are contacted with an adsorbant bed containing one or more molecular sieves which demonstrate shape selective preference for the 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene isomer over other dialkylated naphthalenes. The adsorbant bed is then contacted with a desorbant capable of desorbing the 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene from the pores of the adsorbant.

Selective sorption of 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene

The selective isopropylation of a naphthyl compound to diisopropylnaphthalene enhanced in the 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene isomer is obtained in the presence of an acidic crystalline molecular sieve catalyst having twelve membered oxygen rings. The catalyst pore aperture dimension ranges from 5.5 .ANG. to 7.0 .ANG.. The use of these shape selective catalysts results in a diisopropylnaphthalene stream which is enhanced in .beta. isomers and enhanced in the desired 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene isomer. A particularly preferred catalyst is synthetic Mordenite. Specific catalyst modifications are also described to improve selectivity to the desired 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene isomer.

The additional of redox-active metal components and ligands, alternatively or simultaneously, results in increased conversion and selectivity in the palladium-catalyzed oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products in the presence of polyoxoanions. In preferred modes, heteropolyoxoanions and Isopolyoxoanions containing tungsten, molybdenum and vanadium, individually or in combination, are described. The use of copper as the redox-active metal component shows reduced allylic reactivity. The elimination of chloride from the catalyst system provides substantial engineering advantages over the prior art, particularly, the reduction of corrosion and chloro-organic by-product formation. The use of redox-active metal components and/or ligands makes the palladium-polyoxoanion catalyst system industrially practicable.

Olefin oxidation catalyst system

The addition of redox-active metal components and ligands, alternatively or simultaneously, results in increased conversion and selectivity in the palladium-catalyzed oxidation of olefins to carbonyl products in the presence of polyoxoanions. In preferred modes, heteropolyoxoanions and isopolyoxoanions containing tungsten, molybdenum and vanadium, individually or in combination, are described. The use of copper as the redox-active metal component shows reduced allylic reactivity. The elimination of chloride from the catalyst system provides substantial engineering advantages over the prior art, particularly, the reduction of corrosion and chloro-organic by-product formation. The use of redox-active metal components and/or ligands makes the palladium-polyoxoanion catalyst system industrially practicable.

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Redwood City, CA, United States of America

Paul R Wentrcek