Low-melting friedel crafts catalyst for hydrocarbon conversion processes, and hydrocarbon conversion processes using such catalysts

摘要

Aliphatic hydrocarbons are subjected to isomerization, cracking or alkylation reactions in the presence of a catalyst comprising (1) 5-50% AlCl3, (2) 0-70% SbCl3 and (3) either 5-80% of a C4-C20 quaternary ammonium tetrachloraluminate or at least 2% of each of at least two alkali metal tetrachloraluminates, totalling 4-60%, and 1-50% of at least one of the group consisting of Zn, Ca and Ba tetrachloraluminates. Typical reactions are isomerization of pentane and n-hexane, cracking of n-octane to lower alkanes (mainly iso-butane), and alkylation of isobutane with ethylene.ALSO:Friedel-Crafts catalysts comprise (1) 5 to 50% AlCl3, (2) either 5 to 80% of a C4 to 20 quarternary ammonium tetrachloraluminate or at least 2% of each of at least two alkali metal tetrachloraluminates totalling 4 to 60% and 1 to 50% of at least one of the group consisting of Zn, Ca and Ba terachloraluminates and (3) 0-70% SbCl3. Many quarternary ammonium salts are specified. The commonest alkyl metal chloraluminates are those of Li, Na, and K. The eutectic mixtures of metallic halides have depressed melting points and facilitate isomerisation and cracking of hydrocarbons at 40-60 DEG C. Example XII illustrates how spent catalysts from pentane isomerisation can be regenerated at 200 DEG C under hydrogen pressure.