Bp Chemicals Limited

The British Petroleum Company, P.l.c.

Peter S Williams

Melanie Kitson

Peter James Maddox

Benjamin Patrick Gracey

Bruce Leo Williams

Werner A Lidy

Barry Hudson

David J Drury

Ian D Dobson

Derek K MacApline

A process for the polymerization of olefins in a gas phase reactor operating in a non-condensed mode, in which the process is carried out in the presence of a catalyst system containing (a) a metallocene supported on a solid support and (b) an activator, and adding a lower alkane to the gas phase reactor.

Gas phase olefin polymerization process

A process for the polymerisation of olefins in the gas phase is carried out in the presence of a supported transition metal catalyst. The process involves a prepolymerisation step which may be performed in-situ and in particular the prepolymer may be prepared in the dry phase. The catalyst may for example comprise a constrained geometry transition metal complex supported on silica and used in the presence of an activator. The prepolymerisation step enables the activity of the catalyst to be improved.

Process for the polymerization of olefins in the gas phase

Catalyst composition comprising an alloy of at least one noble metal of group VIII of the Periodic Table and at least one metal capable of alloying with the group VIII noble metal, admixed with a component comprising at least one of the metals rhenium, tungsten or molybdenum, used for producing an alcohol and/or a carboxylic acid ester by reacting hydrogen with a carboxylic acid or anhydride thereof.

Platinum group metal alloy catalysts for hydrogenation of carboxylic

This invention relates to a process for synthesis of glycerol from formaldehyde, wherein formaldehyde under substantially anhydrous condition is self-condensed in a catalytic step is dihydroxyacetone which is separated from the self-condensation catalyst and hydrogenated catalytically to glycerol. The feature of the invention is to have less than 0.4% w/w of water in the self-condensation reaction mixture thereby improving the process to produce glycerol in commercially viable rates and yields.

Synthesis of glycerol from formaldehyde

An improved catalyst comprising a Group VIII noble metal, such as palladium, and rhenium is supported on a high surface area graphitized carbon. In an embodiment the Group VIII metal, e.g., palladium, has an average crystallite size in the range from 30 to 150 Angstroms. A process for making a catalyst is provided in which a support is impregnated with a solution of a Group VIII metal compound, the solvent is removed and the Group VIII metal impregnated support is impregnated with a solution of a rhenium compound using a solvent in which the Group VIII metal compound is insoluble, and thereafter the solvent is removed.

Catalyst for the production of alcohols by hydrogenation of carboxylic

A carboxylic acid of formula RCO.sub.2 H, for example acetic acid, is prepared from a formate ester of formula HCO.sub.2 R, for example methyl formate, by heating the ester at elevated temperature with an iridium catalyst, a halide promoter and a strong acid. The strong acid is one having a pKa of not greater than 0 in aqueous media for example a sulphonic acid. Addition of the strong acid to the reaction mixture causes an increase in the rate of conversion of formate ester to carboxylic acid.

Production of carboxylic acids

Ethanol is produced from acetic acid or propanol is produced from propionic acid by contacting either acetic acid or propionic acid in the vapor phase with hydrogen at elevated temperature and a pressure in the range from 1 to 150 bar in the presence of a catalyst comprising as essential components (i) a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and (ii) rhenium, optionally on a support, for example a high surface area graphitized carbon.

Alcohols production by hydrogenation of carboxylic acids

Catalyzed hydrogenation of carboxylic acids and their anhydrides to

Production of alcohols and ethers by the catalysed hydrogenation of

Amines are produced by reacting at elevated temperature a first reactant which is either an alcohol, an aldehyde or a ketone with a second reactant which is either ammonia, a primary or secondary amine or a nitrile in the presence as catalyst of a composition comprising (i) nickel, (ii) ruthenium, and (iii) at least one other transition metal selected from either the second or third row transition metals, for example palladium, rhenium or iridium.

Process for the production of amines

An alcohol and/or a carboxylic acid ester is (are) produced from a C.sub.2 to C.sub.12 carboxylic acid by contacting the carboxylic acid at elevated temperature and pressure with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst characterized in that the catalyst comprises a first component which is either molybdenum or tungsten and a second component which is a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, optionally on a support, for example a high surface area graphitized carbon.

Catalyst for the production of an alcohol and/or a carboxylic acid ester

Ethanol is produced from acetic acid or propanol is produced from propionic acid by contacting either acetic acid or propionic acid in the vapor phase with hydrogen at elevated temperature and a pressure in the range from 1 to 150 bar in the presence of a catalyst comprising as essential components (i) a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and (II) rhenium, optionally on a support, for example a high surface area graphitized carbon.

Production of higher carbonyl compounds from lower alcohols

A carboxylic acid or an ester thereof having at least two carbon atoms more than formic acid is prepared by reacting at elevated temperature e.g. 100.degree. to 250.degree. C. formic acid or a formate ester with an olefin e.g. ethylene in the presence of, as catalyst, a Group VIII noble metal e.g. iridium, preferably promoted by iodide, to cause addition of the formic acid or ester to the olefin and form the a higher acid e.g. propionic acid or ester thereof. A strong acid such as a sulphonic acid may be used as a copromoter. The catalyst is employed in solution.

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Hull, United Kingdom

Peter S Williams