Catalyst Processes

Note that there isn't one optimum metal for all reactions. The choice can be decided by many factors. Cost, production, adsorption enthalpies, surface energies, surface areas, functionality and selectivity are all factor when developing catalysts.

Click here for an extended history of catalysis.

 

Year

Process

Catalyst

1870

1870

1880

1885

1900

1910

 

 

1920

 

 

1930

 

 

 

 

1940

 

 

 

 

 

1950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1960

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1980

 

 

 

 

1990

H2S04 lead chamber process

S02 oxidation

Deacon process (Cl2 from HCl)

Claus process (H2S and S02 to S)

Fat hydrogenation

Methane from syngas

Coal Liquefaction

upgrading coal liquids

Ammonia synthesis (Haber-Bosch)

NH3 oxidation to nitric acid

Methanol synthesis (high pressure process)

Fischer~Tropsch synthesis

S02 oxidation

Acetaldehyde from acetylene

Catalytic cracking (fixed bed, Houdry)

Ethene epoxidation

Polyvinyl chloride

Polyethylene (low density, ICI)

Oxidation of benzene to maleic anhydride

Alkylation

Hydroformylation, alkene to aldehyde

Catalytic reforming (gasoline)

Cyclohexane oxidation (nylon 66 production)

Benzene hydrogenation to cyclohexane

Synthetic rubber, SBR

BNR*

Butylrubber

Polyethylene (high density), Ziegler-Natta

Phillips

Polypropene, Ziegler-Natta

Polybutadiene, Ziegler-Natta

Hydrodesulphiding (HLS)

Naphthalene oxidation to phthalic anhydride

Ethylene oxidation to acetaldehyde

p-Xylene oxidation to terephthalic acid

Ethylene oligomerization*

Hydrotreating of naphtha

 

 

Butene oxidation to maleic anhydride

Acrylonitrile via ammoxidation of propene (Sohio)

Propene oxidation to acrolein/acrylic acid

Xylene hydroisomerization

Propene metathesis

Adiponitrile via butadiene hydrocyanation

Improved reforming catalysts

Improved cracking catalysts

Acetic acid from MeOH (carbonylation)

Vinyl chloride via ethene oxychlorination

Ethene oxidation to vinyl acetate

o-Xylene oxidation to phthalic anhydride

Propene oxidation to propene oxide

Hydrocracking

HT water-gas shift process

LT water-gas shift process

Methanol synthesis (low pressure, ICI)

Acetic acid from MeOH (carbonylation, low pressure process, Monsanto)

Improved process for xylene isomerization Zeolite

a -Alkenes via ethene oligornerization /isomerization /metathesis (SHOP)

Improved hydroformylation Rh

Auto exhaust gas catalysts

L-DOPA (Monsanto)

Cyclooctenamer (metathesis) w

Hydroisomerization

Selective reduction of NO (with NH3)

Gasoline from methanol process (Mobil)

Vinyl acetate from ethene and acetic acid Pd

Methylacetate (carbonylation) Rh

Methylacrylate via t-butanol oxidation Mo oxides

Improved coal liquefaction Co, Mo sulphides

Diesel fuel from syngas Co

Polyketone (from CO and ethene)

NO/N02

Pt

ZnCl2/CuCl2

Bauxite

Ni

Ni

Fe

WS2

Fe/K

Pt

Zn, Cr oxide

Promoted Fe,Co

V205

Hg2+/H2S04

Clays

Ag

Peroxide

Peroxide

V

HF/H2S04

Co

Pt

Co

Ni, Pt

Li, peroxide

Peroxide

Al

Ti

Cr

Ti

Ti

Co, Mo sulphides

V, Mo oxides

Pd, Cu

Co, Mn

Co

C-Mo/Al2O3

 

 

V, P oxides

Bi, Mo oxides

Bi, Mo oxides

Pt

W, Mo, R

Ni

Pt, Re/Al2O3

Zeolites

Co

Cu chloride

Pd/Cu

V, Ti oxides

Mo

Ni-w/Alro3

Fe2O3/Cr203/MgO

CuO/ZnO/A1203

Cu-Zn-Al oxide

Rh

Zeolite

Ni,Mo

Rh

Pt/Rh

Rh

W

Pt/Zeolite

V2O5/TiO2

Zeolite

Pd

Rh

Mo oxides

Co, Mo Sulphides

Co

Pd