A catalyst composition is disclosed that includes
chromium,
oxygen, and at least two of gold, silver, and
palladium as essential constituent elements. The amount of modifier metals (gold, silver, and / or
palladium) in the composition is from about 0.05 atom % to about 10 atom % based on the total amount of
chromium and modifier metals. Also disclosed is a process for changing the
fluorine distribution (i.e., content and / or arrangement) in a
hydrocarbon or halogenated
hydrocarbon in the presence of the catalyst composition; and methods for preparing said catalyst composition. One preparation method involves (a) co-precipitating a
solid by adding
ammonium hydroxide (aqueous
ammonia) to an
aqueous solution of soluble salts of modifier metals and a soluble
chromium salt that contains at least three moles of
nitrate per mole of chromium in the solution and has a modifier
metal content of from about 0.05 atom % to about 10 atom % of the total content of modifier metals and chromium in the solution to form an aqueous mixture containing co-precipitated
solid; (b)
drying the co-precipitated
solid formed in (a); and (c) calcining the dried solid formed in (b) in an
atmosphere containing at least 10%
oxygen by volume. Another preparation method involves (a) impregnating solid
chromium oxide with a solution of a soluble modifier
metal salts; (b)
drying the impregnated
chromium oxide prepared in (a); and optionally; (c) calcining the dried solid. Yet another preparation method involves mixing multiple compositions, each comprising chromium,
oxygen, and at least one modifier
metal.