John F Knifton from 10900 Catskill Trl, Austin, TX 78726, age 84, Phone: 5122583049

Alkylbenzene Detergents With High 2-Isomer Content
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US Patent:

7008914, Mar 7, 2006
Filed:

Oct 3, 2002
Appl. No.:

10/263547
Inventors:

George A. Smith - Austin TX, US
Prakasa R. Anantaneni - Austin TX, US
Samir S. Ashrawi - Austin TX, US
Raeda M. Smadi - Round Rock TX, US
John F. Knifton - Houston TX, US
Melvin Stockton - Georgetown TX, US
Assignee:

Huntsman Petrochemical Corporation - Austin TX
International Classification:

C11D 17/00
US Classification:

510352, 510357, 510424, 510426, 510492, 585456
Abstract:

This invention is directed to a fluorine-containing mordenite catalyst and use thereof in the manufacture of alkylbenzene (LAB) by alkylation of benzene with an olefin. The olefin may have from about 10 to 14 carbons. The fluorine-containing mordenite is prepared typically by treatment with an aqueous hydrogen fluoride solution. The benzene alkylation may be conducted using reactive distillation. This invention is also directed to a process for production of LAB having a high 2-phenyl isomer content by use of the fluorine-containing mordenite in conjunction with a conventional solid LAB alkylation catalyst. The two catalysts may be used in a mixed catalyst bed or may be packed in series, with the relative proportions being adjusted to provide a desired 2-phenyl isomer content of in the final product.

Process For Cosynthesis Of Ethylene Glycol And Dimethyl Carbonate
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US Patent:

47345187, Mar 29, 1988
Filed:

Jan 12, 1987
Appl. No.:

7/002463
Inventors:

John F. Knifton - Austin TX
Assignee:

Texaco Inc. - White Plains NY
International Classification:

C07C 6702
US Classification:

558277
Abstract:

A process is disclosed for the cosynthesis of ethylene glycol and dimethyl carbonate by reacting methanol and ethylene carbonate in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst from the group consisting of soluble miscible tertiary phosphines arsines, and stibines and soluble, miscible bivalent sulphur and selenium compounds.

Process For Formation Of Dialkylaminomethylated Internal Olefin Polymers
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US Patent:

46579842, Apr 14, 1987
Filed:

Oct 16, 1985
Appl. No.:

6/787861
Inventors:

Edward E. McEntire - Kennett Square PA
John F. Knifton - Austin TX
Assignee:

Texaco Inc. - White Plains NY
International Classification:

C08F 840
US Classification:

525340
Abstract:

An aminomethylation reaction is disclosed wherein polymeric polyamines are produced. Polymeric polyolefins such as polybutadiene, secondary amines, and synthesis gas are reacted in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a ruthenium-containing compound, a rhodium-containing compound, a sterically hindered phosphine and a solvent. Preferred polybutadiene feedstocks are those with a predominance of internal rather than pendant vinylic olefin groups and particularly those polymers containing both the 1,2-polybutadiene and 1,4-polybutadiene units.

Use Of Pentagonally Supported Palladium Catalyst In The Preparation Of Tertiary Butyl Alcohol From Tertiary Butyl Hydroperoxide
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US Patent:

54141621, May 9, 1995
Filed:

Nov 12, 1993
Appl. No.:

8/150917
Inventors:

John R. Sanderson - Leander TX
John F. Knifton - Austin TX
Assignee:

Texaco Chemical Inc. - White Plains NY
International Classification:

C07C 29132
C07C 3112
US Classification:

5689098
Abstract:

A method for preparing tertiary butyl alcohol wherein a feedstock comprising a solvent solution of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide in tertiary butyl alcohol or a mixture of tertiary butyl alcohol with isobutane is charged to a hydroperoxide decomposition reaction zone containing a catalytically effective amount of a hydroperoxide decomposition catalyst consisting essentially of pentagonally cross-sectioned alumina having palladium deposited thereon and is brought into contact with the catalyst in liquid phase with agitation under hydroperoxide decomposition reaction conditions to convert the tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to decomposition products, principally tertiary butyl alcohol.

Method For Production Of Phenol/Acetone From Cumene Hydroperoxide
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US Patent:

48989878, Feb 6, 1990
Filed:

Mar 17, 1989
Appl. No.:

7/324118
Inventors:

John F. Knifton - Austin TX
Assignee:

Texaco Chemical Company - White Plains NY
International Classification:

C07C 4553
US Classification:

568385
Abstract:

A method is disclosed for the synthesis of phenol and acetone by acid-catalyzed decomposition over a catalyst comprising an acidic montmorillonite silica alumina clay, modified with a compound from the group consisting of a heteropoly acid, or the inorganic salt of zirconium, titanium and aluminum. The method allows for a 6-fold improvement in rate using heteropoly acid modified montmorillonite clays and a six to 10-food improvement is observed using zirconium or titanium, respectively.

Process For Preparing Alkyl Esters By Homologation Of The Next Lower Alkyl Ester
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US Patent:

44144105, Nov 8, 1983
Filed:

Jan 13, 1982
Appl. No.:

6/339232
Inventors:

John F. Knifton - Austin TX
Assignee:

Texaco Inc. - White Plains NY
International Classification:

C07C 6736
C07C 69003
C07C 6914
US Classification:

560265
Abstract:

Alkyl esters, such as ethyl acetate, are prepared by contacting the corresponding next lower carbon number alkyl ester, such as methyl acetate, with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of an iodine or iodide-free catalyst composition comprising a ruthenium-containing compound, a cobalt containing compound and a quaternary phosphonium salt or base, and heating the mixture to an elevated temperature and pressure for sufficient time to produce the desired higher alkyl ester, and then recovering the same from the reaction mixture.

Bi-Solvent System For The Hydroformylation Of Allyl Alcohol Using A Rhodium Catalyst
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US Patent:

45298084, Jul 16, 1985
Filed:

Feb 2, 1984
Appl. No.:

6/576513
Inventors:

John F. Knifton - Austin TX
Assignee:

Texaco Inc. - White Plains NY
International Classification:

C07D30720
US Classification:

549475
Abstract:

A process is disclosed for preparing products such as 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran which comprises contacting unsaturated compounds such as allyl alcohol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a rhodium carbonyl catalyst and a bi-solvent system. The bi-solvent system includes an aromatic solvent and an amide solvent and may be materials such as p-xylene and acetamide. Such a system provides for easy catalyst recovery since the rhodium catalyst is selectively soluble in the p-xylene whereas the desired product is conversely selectively soluble in the acetamide phase.

Process For Low Pressure Synthesis Of Ethylene Glycol From Synthesis Gas Plus 1,3-Dioxolane
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US Patent:

45687803, Feb 4, 1986
Filed:

Oct 22, 1984
Appl. No.:

6/663280
Inventors:

John F. Knifton - Austin TX
Assignee:

Texaco Inc. - White Plains NY
International Classification:

C07C 2900
C07C 3120
US Classification:

568866
Abstract:

This invention relates to the manufacture of ethylene glycol and more particularly to a low pressure process for making ethylene glycol comprising reacting synthesis gas, i. e. a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, plus 1,3-dioxolane in the presence of a homogenous liquid catalyst containing an effective amount of cobalt-containing compound and a silane or germane-containing promoter dispersed in a hydrocarbon solvent at a temperature of at least 50. degree. C. and a pressure of at least 500 psi, where the particular solvents used allow the desired product to be separated from the reaction mixture by phase separation.