Gas-phase and supercritical <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-pentane isomerization on H-mordenite

The skeletal isomerization of supercritical n-pentane on the H form of mordenite under flow conditions was studied for the first time. It was found that the conversion of supercritical n-pentane was 30–35% at 90% selectivity for isopentane at 260°C, 130 atm, and a liquid hourly space velocity of 30 h^?1. The catalyst was deactivated as the temperature was increased above 280°C. According to differential thermal analysis data, the deactivation was related to the deposition of condensation products on the surface. The resistance of the H form of the zeolite to poisoning in n-pentane isomerization in a gas phase at 1–8 atm was lower than that under supercritical conditions. It was found that H-mordenite deactivated under gas-phase reaction conditions at 260°C and 8 atm can be regenerated by passing to supercritical isomerization conditions (260°C and 130 atm).     

Supercritical <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butane isomerization

Supercritical n-butane isomerization over the solid acid catalysts sulfated zirconia, TiO₂-supported H₄[Si(W₃O₁₀)₄] · xH₂O (Keggin-type heteropoly acid), and H-mordenite is studied in a flow reactor. The critical parameters of n-butane are calculated for a wide range of reaction conditions. Changing from gaseous n-butane to supercritical n-butane markedly extends the lifetime of the catalysts. Under supercritical conditions, the activity and selectivity of the catalysts are invariable, provided that the density of the reaction mixture is in the vicinity of the critical density of n-butane. After the catalysts are deactivated in the gas medium, they can be partially or completely reactivated in the supercritical fluid.Translated from Kinetika i Kataliz, Vol. 45, No. 6, 2004, pp. 942–946.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Bogdan, Klimenko, Kustov, Kazanskii.     

Conversion of ethanol into linear primary alcohols on gold,nickel, and gold–nickel catalysts

The direct conversion of ethanol into the linear primary alcohols C _n H_2n+1OH (n = 4, 6, and 8) in the presence of the original mono- and bimetallic catalysts Au/Al₂O₃, Ni/Al₂O₃, and Au–Ni/Al₂O₃ was studied. It was established that the rate and selectivity of the reaction performed under the conditions of a supercritical state of ethanol sharply increased in the presence of Au–Ni/Al₂O₃. The yield of target products on the bimetallic catalyst was higher by a factor of 2–3 than that reached on the monometallic analogs. Differences in the catalytic behaviors of the Au, Ni, and Au–Ni systems were discussed with consideration for their structure peculiarities and reaction mechanisms.     

Aromatization ofn-butane over Ni-ZSM-5 and Cu-ZSM-5 zeolite catalysts prepared by using Ni and Cu impregnated silica, fiber

The reaction ofn-butane aromatization was carried out over Ni-ZSM-5 and Cu-ZSM-5 zeolite catalysts prepared by using Ni and Cu impregnated silica fiber during the process of ZSM-5 zeolite synthesis. The catalysts prepared were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, nitrogen adsorption and X-ray fluorescency. The acidic properties of the catalysts were investigated by temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia using a mass spectrometer equipped with a QTMD detector. The effect of catalyst pretreatment, reaction temperature, and time on stream on the reaction ofn-butane to aromatic hydrocarbons were investigated. The modification of ZSM-5 by Ni and Cu increased the selectivity to aromatic hydrocarbons. The state of Ni and Cu and their stabilization in the ZSM-5 structure was highly influenced by the mode of catalyst pretreatments.     

Isobutane Alkylation with Butenes and the Oligomerization of C<Subscript>4</Subscript> Olefins in Supercritical Reagents

The competing reactions of isobutane alkylation with butenes and butene oligomerization under supercritical and ordinary gas-liquid conditions are studied over a variety of catalysts: sulfated zirconia, titania-supported heteropolyacids and tungstia, and chlorinated aluminum-platinum catalyst. Both reactions proceed rapidly, showing no substantial decrease in catalytic activity, under supercritical conditions at 140–165° C and 40–45 atm. By contrast, alkylation and oligomerization in the liquid phase and particularly in the gas phase are accompanied by a rapid deactivation of the catalyst. Passing from ordinary gas-liquid conditions to supercritical conditions dramatically accelerates the reaction and the regeneration of the deactivated catalyst. Reaction selectivity depends significantly on the isobutane/olefins (butenes) (I/Ol) ratio in the initial mixture. At I/Ol = 14, isobutane alkylation with butenes is the main reaction pathway, which results in the complete conversion of the butenes to C₈ alkylation products. The yield of saturated isoalkanes is as high as 70%. Reducing the I/Ol ratio to 0.5 results in the domination of butenes over alkylation.     

Alkylation of isobutane with C<Subscript>4</Subscript> olefins under conventional and supercritical conditions

The solid acid alkylation of isobutane with butylenes on the ultrastable zeolite Y is studied in the temperature range from 120 to 150°C and in a pressure range of 20–120 atm. The catalyst service life becomes longer on passing from the conventional (liquid- and gas-phase) conditions of alkylation to supercritical conditions. The maximum period of complete butylene conversion at 150°C and 120 atm is 3.5 h. The composition of the reaction products is determined by the phase state of the reaction mixture, the reaction time, and the conversion of the C₄ olefins. When the alkylation is carried out under supercritical conditions, the C₈ hydrocarbon selectivity varies between 30 and 40%. Thermoanalytical data suggest that the surface of the spent catalyst contains carbon deposits indicating the formation of oligomeric and cyclic structures.     

Nanosized cobalt-based catalyst prepared by supercritical phase condition for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

A series of nanosized Co/Zn/Mn/K composite catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) were prepared by supercritical fluid drying (SCFD) method and common drying (CD) method. The nanosized cobalt-based catalysts were characterized by XRD, TEM and BET techniques. Their catalytic performances were tested in a slurry-bed reactor under FTS reaction conditions. The drying and crystallization were carried out simultaneously during SCFD, therefore, the catalysts prepared by SCFD method have ideal structure and show the FTS performance superior to the others prepared by CD method. The FTS activity and selectivity were improved via adding Zn, Mn and K promoters, and less CH₄ and CO₂ as well as higher yield of C₅₊ products were achieved. The optimal performance of a 92% CO conversion and a 65% C₅₊ product yield was obtained over a catalyst with the component of Co/Zn/Mn/K = 100/50/10/7. Furthermore, the catalytic performance was studied under the conditions of liquid-phase and supercritical phase slurry-bed, and C₅₊ product yield were 57.4% and 65.4%, respectively. In summary, better catalytic performance was obtained using the nanosized catalyst prepared by SCFD method under supercritical reaction conditions, resulting in higher conversion of CO, less CO₂ byproduct, and higher yield of C₅₊ products.     

Mechanism of phthalic anhydride formation in the oxidation of n-pentane on a vanadium-phosphorus oxide catalyst

The reaction paths of product formation in the partial oxidation of n-pentane on vanadium-phosphorus oxide (VPO) and VPO-Bi catalysts are considered. The condensed products of n-pentane oxidation were analyzed by chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the presence of C₄ rather than C₅ unsaturated hydrocarbons was detected. It was found that the concentration of phthalic anhydride in the products increased upon the addition of C₄ olefins and butadiene to the n-pentane-air reaction mixture. With the use of a system with two in-series reactors, it was found that the addition of butadiene to a flow of n-butane oxidation products (maleic anhydride, CO, and CO₂) resulted in the formation of phthalic anhydride. The oxidation of 1-butanol was studied, and butene and butadiene were found to be the primary products of reaction; at a higher temperature, maleic anhydride and then phthalic anhydride were formed. The experimental results supported the reaction scheme according to which the activation of n-pentane occurred with the elimination of a methyl group and the formation of C₄ unsaturated hydrocarbons. The oxidation of these latter led to the formation of maleic anhydride. The Diels-Alder reaction between maleic anhydride and C₄ unsaturated hydrocarbons is the main path of phthalic anhydride formation.     

Synthesis and characterization of the Pt/Al2O3 systems modified with group III (Ga) and Group IV (Ge,Ti, and Zr) elements in the combined conversion of propane and n-Heptane

Under the conditions of a joint reaction of propane and n-heptane at temperatures of 460–520°C and a pressure of 0.35 MPa, the conversion of propane and the concentration of C₇₊ aromatization products on platinum-containing catalysts modified by Group III (Ga) and Group IV (Ge, Ti, and Zr) elements were higher than those on an unmodified Pt/Al₂O₃ sample. This is explained by a change in the aprotic acidity of the catalysts as a result of the support modification. The sample with the addition of gallium was most active. A plausible reason for this is the conversion of hydrocarbons at active sites that consist of Pt and Ga, which were formed upon catalyst activation. It is believed that gallium adjacent to platinum in an ionic form on the support surface acts as an aprotic acid site.     

Highly effective methane conversion to aromatic hydrocarbons by means of microwave and rf-induced catalysis

Conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbon products, in particular, aromatic hydrocarbons has been achieved with good methane conversion and selectivity to aromatic products over heterogeneous catalysts using both high power pulsed microwave and rf energy. For example, under microwave irradiation > 85% conversion of methane and 60% selectivity to aromatics could be achieved. Cu, Ni, Fe and Al metallic materials are highly effective catalysts for the aromatization of methane via microwave heating; however, with a variety of supported catalysts the major products were C₂ hydrocarbons and the conversion of methane was low. The use of sponge, wire and net forms of these metal catalysts was found advantageous in effective methane conversion. The reactions are considered to be free radical in nature and to proceed through an intermediate stage involving formation of acetylene. The influence of catalyst nature and configuration, as well as the microwave and rf irradiation parameters on the reaction efficiency and product selectivity has been examined in both batch and continuous flow conditions.     

Aromatization of butane over zirconium-containing and zinc-zirconia-zeolite catalysts

Comparative researches were conducted of zinc-, zirconia, and zinc-zirconia-ziolite catalysts for n-butane aromatization.     

Development of VPO catalysts supported on mesoporous modified material based on an aerosil gel

Supports modified with different organic substances and vanadium-phosphorus oxide catalysts on their basis were developed with the use of the barothermal treatment of aerosil. It was found that the anchoring of a modifier to the surface of a support occurred with the participation of OH groups. The modifier content found from differential thermal analysis data depended on the pore structure of the support and the nature of the modifier. It was demonstrated that, with the use of a modified support in the catalysts, a vanadyl hydrogen phosphate hemihydrate phase—the precursor of a catalyst for the selective oxidation of hydrocarbons—was formed; under reaction conditions, this precursor was converted into vanadyl pyrophosphate. On supporting, the phase grew from the micropore bulk and covered only part of the support surface. The synthesized catalysts exhibited high activity and selectivity in the reaction of n-butane oxidation under hydrocarbon-rich conditions and also in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane.     

Catalytic behaviour of Pt loaded on AlPO4-5 and AlPO4-11 in the aromatization of C6?C8 alkanes

Pt/AlPO₄-5 and Pt/AlPO₄-11 showed some characteristics of monofunctional aromatization catalysts and higher aromatic selectivity inn-heptane aromatization than inn-hexane aromatization. Especially they exhibited resistance for thiophene poisoning.     

Synthesis of (VO)2P2O7 catalystsvia exfoliation-reduction of VOPO4·2H2O in butanol in the presence of ethanol

The exfoliation-reduction of VOPO₄·2H₂O in l-butanol oriso-butanol alone, and in a l-butanol/ethanol oriso-butanol/ethanol mixture, were conducted. Although all precursors were composed of a lamellar compound with intercalated alcohol molecules, VOHPO₄·0.5H₂O was formed when the exfoliation-reduction process was carried out in the mixed alcohol. All precursors transformed to a single phase of (VO)₂P₂O₇ under the reaction conditions forn-butane oxidation, but the crystallinity of (VO)₂P₂O₇ was different. The catalyst synthesized iniso-butanol/ethanol was well crystalline (VO)₂P₂O₇, and exhibited higher selectivity to maleic anhydride than that synthesized iniso-butanol alone for then-butane oxidation.     

Suppressing Dehydroisomerization Boosts n-Butane Dehydrogenation with High Butadiene Selectivity

Butadiene (BD) is a critical raw material in chemical industry, which is conventionally produced from naphtha cracking. The fast-growing demand of BD and the limited oil reserve motivate chemists to develop alternative methods for BD production. Shale gas, which mainly consists of light alkanes, has been considered as cheap raw materials to replace oil for BD production via n-butane direct dehydrogenation (n-BDH). However, the quest for highly-efficient catalysts for n-BDH is driven by the current drawback of low BD selectivity. Here, we demonstrate a strategy for boosting the selectivity of BD by suppressing dehydroisomerization, an inevitable step in the conventional n-BDH process which largely reduces the selectivity of BD. Detailed investigations show that the addition of alkali-earth metals (e. g., Mg and Ca) into Pt-Ga₂O₃/S10 catalysts increases Pt dispersity, suppresses coke deposition and dehydroisomerization, and thus leads to the significant increase of BD selectivity. The optimized catalyst displays an initial BD selectivity of 34.7 % at a n-butane conversion of 82.1 % at 625 °C, which outperforms the reported catalysts in literatures. This work not only provides efficient catalysts for BD production via n-BDH, but also promotes the researches on catalyst design in heterogeneous catalysis.     

Rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of C6 alkenes and alkene mixtures - a comparative study in homogeneous and aqueous-biphasic media using PPh3, TPPTS and TPPMS ligands

The complexes RhH(CO)L₃, where L = PPh₃, P(m-C₆H₄SO₃Na)₃ (TPPTS), and (C₆H₅)₂P(m-C₆H₄SO₃Na) (TPPMS) were used as catalyst precursors for a comparative study of the catalytic hydroformylation of several C6 alkenes and alkene mixtures under moderate reaction conditions in homogeneous (PPh₃) and aqueous-biphasic (TPPTS, TPPMS) media. The biphasic systems are efficient for the hydroformylation of hex-1-ene, 2,3-dimethyl-1-butene, styrene, cyclohexene, and mixtures thereof, in water/n-heptane at 80 °C. The main problem associated with these catalysts is their tendency to promote alkene isomerization if the effective syngas concentration in the liquid phases is low, but this side-reaction can be suppressed by using higher CO/H₂ pressures (54 atm). The selectivity of both water-soluble catalysts for linear products of hex-1-ene and for branched products of styrene is modest in comparison with the homogeneous system, which may limit their utility for classical oxo uses, but this is not a disadvantage for other interesting applications related to the hydroformylation of alkene mixtures and particularly to naphtha upgrading where linear and branched products are equally useful. The catalysts can be recycled without significant loss of activity and are resistant to the presence of benzothiophene in the mixture.     

Partial oxidation of toluene with nitrous oxide under supercritical conditions

The partial oxidation of toluene with nitrous oxide over the H-ZSM-5 catalyst under supercritical conditions at temperatures of 370–420°C and pressures of 70–160 atm has been investigated for the first time. The maximum cresol selectivity under these conditions is 32%. The amounts of the resulting cresol isomers form the following decreasing sequence: m-cresol > o-cresol > p-cresol. The partial oxidation of toluene is accompanied by disproportionation and biphenyl formation.     

Hydroisomerization of n-heptane over bimetal-bearing H3PW12O40 catalysts supported on dealuminated USY zeolite

The bimetal-bearing (CePt or LaPt) 12-tungstophosphoric acid (H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (PW)) catalysts supported on dealuminated USY zeolite (DUSY) were prepared by impregnation and characterized by XRD, BET, IR, and H₂-chemisorption. Their catalytic activities were tested in the hydroisomerization of n-heptane with a continuous atmospheric fixed-bed reactor. After the steam treatment combined with the acid leaching, as well as the supporting with PW and the bimetals, the DUSY support retains the Y zeolite porosity and the PW well keeps its Keggin structure in catalysts. The doping of Ce into the catalysts enhances the dispersion of Pt on the catalyst surface. The Pt-bearing PW catalysts doped with Ce or La, especially Ce, exhibit much higher catalytic activity and selectivity than the catalysts without dopants at lowered reaction temperatures. At the optimal reaction conditions, i.e., the reaction temperature of 250°C and WHSV of 1.4 h^?1, the catalyst with a Pt loading of 0.4%, PW loading of 10% and a molar ratio of Ce to Pt of 15:1 shows a conversion of n-heptane of 70.3% with a high selectivity for isomerization products of 94.1%.     

Effect of the nature of zeolite and modifying additives on the activity of zeolite-containing catalysts inn-butane isomerization

Isomerization ofn-butane on various types of zeolites (ZVM, ZVK, mordenite, and Y) modified with transition metals and cationic and anionic additives was investigated. Under the conditions studied, H-forms of zeolites are inactive. Pt-containing systems based on the H-form of ZVM (HZVM) are the most efficient catalysts forn-butane isomerization, and the yield of isobutane reaches 20–26 wt.% at a selectivity of 40–45%. Modification of this catalyst with Ga and Fe compounds or with an aqueous solution of HCl increases the selectivity with respect to isobutane up to 70–90%. Introduction of Zn²⁺ cations or F⁻ and SO₄ ²⁻ anions into the Pt-containing HZVM system decreases the selectivity and yield of isobutane due to the formation of very strong acidic centers on which disproportionation and hydrocracking ofn-butane mainly occur. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1281–1285, July, 1999.     

Hydrogenolysis of Dimethyl Disulfide to Methanethiol in the Presence of Cobalt Sulfide Catalysts

The hydrogenolysis of dimethyl disulfide to methanethiol at T = 180–260°C and atmospheric pressure in the presence of supported cobalt sulfide catalysts has been studied. Cobalt sulfide on aluminum oxide exhibits a higher activity than that on a carbon support or silicon dioxide. The maximum reaction rate per gram of a catalyst is observed on an 8% Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst. At temperatures of up to 200°C and conversions up to 90%, methanethiol is formed with nearly 100% selectivity regardless of the cobalt content, whereas the selectivity for methanethiol under more severe conditions decreases because of its condensation to dimethyl sulfide.