The British Petroleum Company, P.l.c.

Reginald Gregory

David J Westlake

James A Ballantine

John H Purnell

John M Thomas

Alexander J Kolombos

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 method for carrying out processes capable of catalysis by protons using as catalyst a stabilized pillared interlayered clay.

Use of stabilized pillared interlayered clays as catalysts in reactions

Alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons wherein the alkyl group is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl group are transalkylated or dealkylated in the presence as catalyst of either a cation-exchangeable layered clay or a cation-exchangeable stabilized pillared layered clay.

Process for the transalkylation or dealkylation of alkyl aromatic

A method for promoting the activity and/or extending the life of a cation-exchangeable layered clay catalyst in reactions susceptible to catalysis by protons which method comprises the addition to the catalyst of water as the sole additive. The quantity of water employed is suitably up to 40%, preferably up to 10% based on weight of reactants. The layered clay catalyst can be for example montmorillonite, bentonite or vermiculite. Suitable proton catalyzed reactions include formation of esters, (e.g. by reaction of olefin and carboxylic acid), ethers, aldehydes, thioethers and alkylation and cracking reactions.

Method for promoting the activity and/or extending the life of

Use of stabilized pillared interlayered clays as catalyst in alkylation

C.sub.2 to C.sub.10, preferably C.sub.3 to C.sub.6, aliphatic linear olefins are converted to a product comprising at least one hydrocarbon of higher carbon number selected from dimers, oligomers, alkanes, olefins and aromatics by contacting the olefin at elevated temperature with a catalyst comprising a cation-exchangeable layered clay.

Process for the conversion of a C.sub.2 to C.sub.10 aliphatic linear

The activity of cation-exchangeable layered clay or crystalline aluminosilicate catalyst in esterification, etherification, hydration, and cracking reactions is promoted by addition of a strong acid such as sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid or para-toluene sulphonic acid. The further addition of water to the reaction can extend the life of the clay catalyst and in some cases its catalytic activity.

Method for promoting the activity of cation-exchangeable layered clay

This invention relates to a process for aromatizing unsaturated hydrocarbons in the presence of a supported gallium catalyst. Xylenes may be prepared from C.sub.4 feedstock by this route.

Chemical process making aromatic hydrocarbons over gallium catalyst

This invention relates to a process for producing unsaturated hydrocarbons by dehydrogenating saturated hydrocarbons in the presence of a gallium catalyst.

Chemical process over gallium catalyst converting saturated hydrocarbons

This invention relates to a process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly xylenes, by dehydrocyclodimerization of a C.sub.4 feedstock in the presence of a catalyst comprising alumina promoted by zinc or a zinc compound.

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Camberley, United Kingdom

Reginald Gregory