Process for the oxychlorination of hydrocarbons with ammonium chloride

A process for the catalytic oxychlorination of hydrocarbons with chlorine derived at least in part from ammonium chloride comprising contacting a gaseous mixture containing a hydrocarbon, ammonium chloride and an oxygen-containing gas with a catalyst of copper chloride and an alkali metal chloride on a support consisting essentially of silica and magnesia prepared by impregnating a silica hydrogel with a magnesium compound convertible to magnesia upon calcination, and then calcining the impregnated hydrogel, at a temperature within the range of 200.degree. to 380.degree. C.

A process for the catalytic oxychlorination of ethylene with chlorine derived at least in part from ammonium chloride comprising contacting a gaseous mixture containing ethylene, ammonium chloride and an oxygencontaining gas with a catalyst of copper chloride and an alkali metal chloride on a support consisting essentially of silica and magnesia at a temperature within the range of 200.degree. to 380.degree. C.

A process for the catalytic oxychlorination of ethylene with chlorine derived at least in part from ammonium chloride comprising contacting a gaseous mixture containing ethylene, ammonium chloride and an oxygen-containing gas with a catalyst of copper chloride and an alkali metal chloride on a support consisting essentially of silica and magnesia prepared by impregnating a silica hydrogel with a magnesium compound convertible to magnesia upon calcination, and then calcining the impregnated hydrogel, at a temperature within the range of 200.degree. to 380.degree. C.

A process for the catalytic oxychlorination of ethylene to form 1,2-dichloroethane with chlorine derived at least in part from ammonium chloride comprising contacting a gaseous mixture containing ethylene, ammonium chloride and an oxygen-containing gas with a catalyst of copper chloride and an alkali metal chloride, with the atomic ratio of alkali metal to copper being within the range of 0.3 to 1.3, on a support consisting essentially of silica and magnesia, with the magnesia being present in an amount within the range of 5 to 30% based upon the total weight of the support, at a range of 200.degree. to 380.degree. C and a contact time for at least one second.