Catalyst composition comprising a heteropoly acid, zinc, and a support component and processes therefor and therewith

A process of preparing a catalyst composition comprising contacting a support component with a heteropoly acid and a zinc component and further wherein said contacting is selected from the group consisting of impregnating, mixing, and combinations thereof;

• wherein said process of preparing said catalyst composition further comprises activating under an activating condition comprising:
• a temperature in the range of from about 50° C. to about 500° C.;
• a pressure in the range of from about 0 pounds per square absolute to about 750 pounds per square inch absolute;
• and
• a time period in the range of from about 0.1 hour to about 30 hours;
• and
• wherein said activating condition further comprises an atmosphere comprising:
• 1) a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrogen diluted with nitrogen, ammonia, hydrazine, other reducing gases, and combinations thereof, and 2) an organic chloride compound selected from the group consisting of tetrachloroethylene, ethylaluminum dichloride, carbon tetrachloride, hexachloroethane, 1-chlorobutane, 2-chlorobutane, 1-chloro-2-methylpropane, 2-chloro-2-methylpropane, and combinations thereof.