Abstract: Hydrogenolysis systems are provided that can include a reactor housing an Ru-comprising hydrogenolysis catalyst and wherein the contents of the reactor is maintained at a neutral or acidic pH. Reactant reservoirs within the system can include a polyhydric alcohol compound and a base, wherein a weight ratio of the base to the compound is less than 0.05. Systems also include the product reservoir comprising a hydrogenolyzed polyhydric alcohol compound and salts of organic acids, and wherein the moles of base are substantially equivalent to the moles of salts or organic acids. Processes are provided that can include an Ru-comprising catalyst within a mixture having a neutral or acidic pH. A weight ratio of the base to the compound can be between 0.01 and 0.05 during exposing.

Abstract: Hydrogenolysis systems are provided that can include a reactor housing an Ru-comprising hydrogenolysis catalyst and wherein the contents of the reactor is maintained at a neutral or acidic pH. Reactant reservoirs within the system can include a polyhydric alcohol compound and a base, wherein a weight ratio of the base to the compound is less than 0.05. Systems also include the product reservoir comprising a hydrogenolyzed polyhydric alcohol compound and salts of organic acids, and wherein the moles of base are substantially equivalent to the moles of salts or organic acids. Processes are provided that can include an Ru-comprising catalyst within a mixture having a neutral or acidic pH. A weight ratio of the base to the compound can be between 0.01 and 0.05 during exposing.

Abstract: Hydrogenolysis systems are provided that can include a reactor housing an Ru-comprising hydrogenolysis catalyst and wherein the contents of the reactor is maintained at a neutral or acidic pH. Reactant reservoirs within the system can include a polyhydric alcohol compound and a base, wherein a weight ratio of the base to the compound is less than 0.05. Systems also include the product reservoir comprising a hydrogenolyzed polyhydric alcohol compound and salts of organic acids, and wherein the moles of base are substantially equivalent to the moles of salts or organic acids. Processes are provided that can include an Ru-comprising catalyst within a mixture having a neutral or acidic pH. A weight ratio of the base to the compound can be between 0.01 and 0.05 during exposing.

Abstract: Hydrogenolysis systems are provided that can include a reactor housing an Ru-comprising hydrogenolysis catalyst and wherein the contents of the reactor is maintained at a neutral or acidic pH. Reactant reservoirs within the system can include a polyhydric alcohol compound and a base, wherein a weight ratio of the base to the compound is less than 0.05. Systems also include the product reservoir comprising a hydrogenolyzed polyhydric alcohol compound and salts of organic acids, and wherein the moles of base are substantially equivalent to the moles of salts or organic acids. Processes are provided that can include an Ru-comprising catalyst within a mixture having a neutral or acidic pH. A weight ratio of the base to the compound can be between 0.01 and 0.05 during exposing.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for conversion of salts of ?-hydroxy carbonyl compounds forming useful conversion products including, e.g., ?,?-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and/or salts of ?,?-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Conversion products find use, e.g., as feedstock and/or end-use chemicals.

Abstract: Hydrogenolysis systems are provided that can include a reactor housing an Ru-comprising hydrogenolysis catalyst and wherein the contents of the reactor is maintained at a neutral or acidic pH. Reactant reservoirs within the system can include a polyhydric alcohol compound and a base, wherein a weight ratio of the base to the compound is less than 0.05. Systems also include the product reservoir comprising a hydrogenolyzed polyhydric alcohol compound and salts of organic acids, and wherein the moles of base are substantially equivalent to the moles of salts or organic acids. Processes are provided that can include an Ru-comprising catalyst within a mixture having a neutral or acidic pH. A weight ratio of the base to the compound can be between 0.01 and 0.05 during exposing.

Abstract: Hydrogenolysis processes are provided that can include providing a hydrogenolysis reactor having a catalyst therein. The catalyst can be exposed to a reducing agent in the absence of polyhydric alcohol compound while maintaining a temperature of the catalyst above 290° C. Hydrogenolysis processes can also include providing a passivated catalyst to within a reactor and exposing the catalyst to a reducing atmosphere while maintaining the catalyst at a temperature less than 210° C. Hydrogenolysis catalyst preparation methods are provided that can include exposing the catalyst to a first reducing atmosphere while maintaining the catalyst at a first temperature to reduce at least a portion of the catalyst. The method can also include passivating at least the portion of the catalyst and depassivating the portion of the catalyst in the presence of a second reducing atmosphere while maintaining the portion of the catalyst at a second temperature less than the first temperature.

Abstract: A reduction catalyst having a first metal component comprising one of Co, Os, Fe, Re, Rh and Ru. The first metal component is present in the catalyst at from 0.5 percent to 20 percent, by weight. A second metal component differing from the first metal component present in the catalyst with the second metal component being selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mn, Ru, Os, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Ag, Au, Zn, Co, Re, Cu, Pb, Cr, W, Mo, Sn, Nb, Cd, Te, V, Bi, Ga and Na. A hydrogenation catalyst comprising one or both of Ni and Co and one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Ag, Au, Mo and Rh.