The Standard Oil Company

Isp Investments Inc.

Thomas G Attig

John Raymond Budge

Anne M Graham

Frederick A Pesa

Robert K Grasselli

S Erik Pedersen

Robert A Dubbert

James F Brazdil

John G Frye

Mark C Cesa

Robert P Hepfer

Marc W Blackman

Craig Timothy Miller

Gregory A Norenberg

Kenneth J Kuruc

In the process for the conversion of maleic acid to gamma-butyrolactone, 1.4-butanediol and/or tetrahydrofuran, a feedstream comprising maleic acid is hydrogenated in a first hydrogenation zone to produce a reaction product comprising succinic acid and unreacted hydrogen which is then supplied to a second hydrogenation zone, where succinic acid is converted to 1,4-butanediol, the temperatures of the feedstream comprising maleic acid and the first hydrogenation zone are controlled such that the temperature of maleic acid in the feedstream and the first hydrogenation zone does not exceed about 130&#xb0; C., thereby minimizing the corrosive effects of the maleic acid and prolonging reactor life and improving overall process economics.

Two-stage process for the hydrogenation of maleic acid to 1,4-butanediol

Maleic acid and/or other hydrogenatable precursors are hydrogenated in the presence of a noble metal catalyst to 1,4-butanediol. The production and yields of 1,4-butanediol are enhanced by the addition of iron to the hydrogenatable precursor feed.

Process for the hydrogenation of maleic acid to 1,4-butanediol

An improved catalyst for the hydrogenation of maleic acid, maleic anhydride or other hydrogenatable precursor to 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran has been discovered. This hydrogenation catalyst comprises palladium, silver, rhenium and at least one of iron, aluminum, cobalt and mixtures thereof, all on a carbon support.

Catalysts for the hydrogenation of maleic acid to 1,4-butanediol

Maleic acid, maleic anhydride or other hydrogenatable precursor are catalytically hydrogenated to 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran. It has been discovered that high yields of 1,4-butanediol are achieved when the hydrogenation catalyst comprises at least one noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table and at least one of rhenium, tungsten or molybdenum on a carbon support wherein the carbon support has been contacted with an oxidizing agent prior to the deposition of the metals. This hydrogenation catalyst is prepared by the steps of (i) oxidizing the carbon support by contacting the carbon support with an oxidizing agent, (ii) impregnating in one or more impregnation steps comprising contacting the carbon support with a source of Group VIII metal and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of rhenium, tungsten and molybdenum being in at least one solution, (iii) after each impregnation step, drying at a temperature under about 150.degree. C. the impregnated carbon support to remove solvent, (iv) heating the impregnated carbon support at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. under reducing conditions.

Catalysts for the hydrogenation of aqueous maleic acid to 1,4-butanediol

Maleic acid, maleic anhydride or other hydrogenatable precursor are catalytically hydrogenated to 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran. It has been discovered that high yields of 1,4-butanediol are achieved when the hydrogenation catalyst comprises palladium, silver and rhenium on a carbon support and is prepared by the steps of (i) impregnating a carbon support with a source of palladium, silver and rhenium, wherein the source of palladium, silver and rhenium is at least one solution, (ii) after each impregnation step, drying the impregnated carbon support to remove solvent, (iii) heating the impregnated carbon support at a temperature of about 120.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. under reducing conditions. The palladium in the catalyst is present in the form of crystallites having a particle size of less than 10 nm.

This invention relates to acetonitrile purification via an adsorption-based process. The process comprises pretreating the acetonitrile containing organic impurities such as unsaturated nitriles with a solid reagent to selectively convert the unsaturated nitriles into products more easily removed and passing the treated acetonitrile through a series of adsorbent beds to remove the resulting products and other impurities present from the acetonitrile.

Acetonitrile purification via an adsorption-based process

Maleic anhydride is hydrogenated to produce 1,4-butanediol in a two-stage process. In the first stage maleic anhydride and/or maleic acid contacted with hydrogen at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. in the presence of a suitable hydrogenation catalyst to produce succinic anhydride and/or gamma-butyrolactone. In the second stage, the succinic anhydride and/or gamma-butyrolactone and hydrogen are contacted at a temperature of about 180.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. in the presence of a ruthenium-containing hydrogenation catalyst to produce 1,4-butanediol.

Two-stage maleic anhydride hydrogenation process for 1,4-butanediol

Tetrahydrofuran and optionally gamma-butyrolactone are prepared from at least one of maleic anhydride or succinic anhydride in the absence of alcohols by catalytically hydrogenating vaporous maleic anhydride or vaporous succinic anhydride in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst comprising the mixed oxides of copper, zinc and aluminum.

Vapor-phase hydrogenation of maleic anhydride to tetrahydrofuran and

Tetrahydrofuran and optionally gamma-butyrolactone are prepared from at least one of maleic anhydride or succinic anhydride by catalytically hydrogenating vaporous maleic anhydride or vaporous succinic anhydride in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst comprising the mixed oxides of copper, zinc and aluminum.

Disclosed is a process for making a 2-pyrrolidone and a succinimide by the vapor phase catalytic reaction of a maleimide with molecular hydrogen.

Preparation of pyrrolidones by catalytic hydrogenation of maleimides

Disclosed is the hydrogenation of maleic acid in the presence of a solid iron-containing ruthenium catalyst containing the elements and the ratios indicated by the empirical formula,

Preparation of .gamma.-butyrolactone and 1,4-butanediol by catalytic

A process for producing an ester is disclosed comprising contacting a gaseous reactant containing at least one organic hydroxy compound and a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with an ester synthesis catalyst of the formula

Process for synthesis of esters from gaseous reactants containing

The ammoxidation of n-butane to acrylonitrile and hydrogen cyanide by a process comprising reacting a gaseous mixture containing n-butane, ammonia and oxygen in the presence of a metal promoted highly siliceous zeolite catalyst, where the zeolite is one comprising ZSM-5, ZSM-5-type aluminosilicate zeolites, or aluminum-free ZSM-5-type zeolites, is disclosed.

Ammoxidation of paraffins to acrylonitrile in the presence of zeolite

A catalyst and process useful for the production of alcohols from CO and H.sub.2. The catalyst has the formula:

Manufacture of alcohols from synthesis gas

A catalyst is disclosed which comprises a ruthenium-copper-containing complex of the formula

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Aurora, OH, United States of America

Thomas G Attig