Patent ID: 7468465
Filing Date: 2008-12-23
Classification: B01J,C07C

Abstract:
1. A method of making isopropyl alcohol comprising contacting isopropyl ether with a catalyst comprising a mixed cerium-zirconium oxide catalyst in the presence of water, wherein said cerium-zirconium oxide catalyst is made by the process of coprecipitating cerium and zirconium form separate salts in the presence of sulfate ions wherein said catalyst has the following composition: 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, wherein the ratio of elements in said composition is such that when m is 1, n is from about 0.10 to about 0.35, 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 separated salts in the presence of a sulfur-containing species.