Method for Production of Styrene From Toluene and Syngas

Abstract

A method for the production of styrene comprising reacting toluene and syngas in one or more reactors is disclosed.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . Products prepared by a process comprising the step of:
 reacting toluene with syngas under reaction conditions in the presence of a catalyst comprising a basic or neutral zeolite and one or more promoters selected from the group consisting of alkali elements, alkaline earth elements, rare earth elements, Y, Zr, and Nb to produce the products.   
     
     
         33 . The process of  claim 32 , wherein the products comprise one or more of benzene, toluene, xylene, water, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or methane. 
     
     
         34 . The process of  claim 33 , further comprising:
 generating syngas by the conversion of a carbonaceous material.   
     
     
         35 . The process of  claim 34 , wherein the conversion of a carbonaceous material includes the partial oxidation of methane, the steam reforming of methane, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The process of  claim 34 , wherein the conversion of a carbonaceous material includes the partial oxidation of coal or coke, the steam reforming of coal or coke, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The process of  claim 34 , wherein the conversion of a carbonaceous material includes the partial oxidation of biomass, the steam reforming of biomass, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         38 . Products prepared by a process comprising the step of:
 reacting toluene with syngas in one or more reactors under reaction conditions in the presence of a catalyst comprising a basic or neutral zeolite and one or more promoters selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Ni, Co, Pd, Pt, Mn, Ti, and V to produce the products.   
     
     
         39 . The process of  claim 38 , wherein the products comprise one or more of benzene, toluene, xylene, water, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or methane. 
     
     
         40 . The process of  claim 38 , wherein the catalyst comprises a metal oxide. 
     
     
         41 . The process of  claim 38 , wherein the catalyst further comprises metal oxides selected from the group consisting of CuO, ZnO—CuO, ZnO—CuO—Al 2 O 3 , CuCr 2 O 3 , ZnCr 2 O 3 , ZnO—CuO—Cr 2 O 3 . 
     
     
         42 . The process of  claim 38 , wherein the catalyst further comprises a sulfide based catalyst. 
     
     
         43 . The process of  claim 42 , wherein the sulfide based catalyst is selected from the group consisting of MoS 2 , WS 2 , Mo 2 WS 2 , and CoMoS 2 . 
     
     
         44 . The process of  claim 38 , wherein the toluene and syngas are present in a ratio of toluene:syngas ranging from 20:1 to 1:20. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the basic or neutral zeolite catalyst comprises silicate-based zeolites selected from the group consisting of ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-22, ZSM-48, and ZSM-57; and amorphous compounds selected from the group consisting of faujasites, mordenites, and pentasils. 
     
     
         46 . Products prepared by a process comprising the step of:
 providing a reaction zone containing a catalyst comprising metal oxides selected from the group consisting of CuO, ZnO—CuO, ZnO—CuO—Al 2 O 3 , CuCr 2 O 3 , ZnCr 2 O 3 , ZnO—CuO—Cr 2 O 3 , and a promoter selected from the group consisting of Nb, K, Cs, and Na, for reacting toluene and syngas; and   reacting toluene and syngas in the reaction zone under reaction conditions to form the products.   
     
     
         47 . The process of  claim 46 , wherein the products further comprise one or more of benzene, toluene, xylene, water, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or methane. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the catalyst is a basic or neutral zeolite catalyst.