John Ronald Sanderson

OLEFIN OLIGOMERIZATION VIA ZEOLITE CATALYSIS

Oligomerization of terminal and internal long-chain, linear olefins has been successfully demonstrated using large pore zeolites with high silica-to-alumina ratios as catalysts. Both reactant and product selectivities have been demonstrated using 12-membered ring zeolites for the oligomerization of C12–C18 olefins. The catalytic activity of these zeolites decreases in the order faujasite > mordenite > pentasil; the activity of the Y-zeolites depends primarily upon the silica-to-alumina molar ratio, but not on the total acidity. 1-tetradecene oligomerization, followed by oligomer hydrogenation, yields synthetic lubricant base stocks with excellent physical characteristics.

Phenol/acetone cogeneration via solid acid catalysis

Abstract Phenol/acetone cogeneration via cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) cleavage has been demonstrated using various classes of novel solid acid catalysts. Mineral acid-treated montmorillonite silica-alumina clays, heteropoly acids impregnated into Group IV oxide supports, fluorophosphoric acid and HF-treated oxides, as well as montmorillonite clays modified with heteropoly acids or certain Lewis acids, are each effective. The influence of solid acid structure upon phenol yields has been examined while minimizing by-product acetophenone, 2-methylstyrene, 2-phenyl-2-propanol, mesityl oxide formation, etc. For the more promising candidates, decomposition of 80% CHP solutions in continuous, plug-flow reactor systems, under mild conditions (ca. 60°C at LHSVs≈10) has been realized.

Tert-butanol dehydration to isobutylene via reactive distillation

Selective tertiary-butanol (tBA) dehydration to isobutylene has been demonstrated using a pressurized reactive distillation unit under mild conditions, wherein the reactive distillation section includes a bed of solid acid catalyst. Feeding tBA to the middle of the distillation section, anhydrous isobutylene product is recovered as an overhead fraction and co-product water as a bottoms fraction. Suitable solid acid catalysts include zeolite Beta, hydrogen-fluoride-treated β-zeolites, and HF-treated montmorillonite clays. Quantitative tert-butanol conversions have been realized.