Method of Making Mixed Metal Oxide Containing Sulfur

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of making Group 3 and Group 4 mixed metal oxide catalyst suitable for the decomposition of ethers to alkenes and alkanols. In an embodiment, it relates to a method of making a cerium-zirconium mixed metal oxide catalyst. In an embodiment, the catalyst made by the process of the invention is used for the production of isopropanol (IPA) from isopropyl ether (IPE).

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A process for selectively converting a dialkyl ether to the corresponding alkene and alkanol, the process comprising contacting a feed containing at least one dialkyl ether with a catalyst comprising a cerium-zirconium catalyst in the presence of water, wherein said cerium-zirconium catalyst is made by a process comprising coprecipitating cerium and zirconium from separate salts in the presence of sulfate ions. 
     
     
         52 . A process for selectively converting a dialkyl ether to the corresponding alkene and alkanol, the process comprising contacting a feed containing at least one dialkyl ether with a catalyst comprising an acidic mixed metal oxide having the following composition:
   X m Y n S p O q      
       wherein X is at least one metal selected from Group 4 of the Periodic Table of Elements, Y is at least one metal selected from Group 3 (including the Lanthanides and Actinides) of the Periodic Table of Elements, S is sulfur, and O is oxygen; m, n, p and q are the atomic ratios of their respective components and, when m is 1, n is from about 0.01 to about 0.75, p is 0.01 to about 0.50, and q is the number of oxygen atoms necessary to satisfy the valence of the other components made by coprecipitating X and Y from separate salts in the presence of a sulfur-containing species.