Abstract: Processes are described for purifying a biphenyldicarboxylic acid product containing one or more impurities, particularly at least formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid. In the processes, a mixture comprising the biphenyldicarboxylic acid product is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under conditions to selectively reduce at least part of the formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid to produce a hydrogenation effluent comprising (i) hydroxymethylbiphenylcarboxylic acid and/or methylbiphenylcarboxylic acid, and (ii) biphenylcarboxylic acid. At least a portion of the biphenyldicarboxylic acid is then separated from the hydrogenation effluent. Advantageously, a polyester product may be produced from the separated biphenyldicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Catalysts and processes for producing catalysts for neopentane production are provided herein. A process includes reducing a catalyst precursor comprising a transition metal and an inorganic support at a temperature less than 500° C. to produce a catalyst. Also provided herein are processes to produce neopentane using the catalysts described herein and neopentane compositions produced therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for producing neopentane. The processes generally relate to demethylating isooctane to produce neopentane. The isooctane may be provided by the alkylation of isobutane with butylenes.

Abstract: Processes are described for purifying a biphenyldicarboxylic acid product containing one or more impurities, particularly at least formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid. In the processes, a mixture comprising the biphenyldicarboxylic acid product is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under conditions to selectively reduce at least part of the formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid to produce a hydrogenation effluent comprising (i) hydroxymethylbiphenylcarboxylic acid and/or methylbiphenylcarboxylic acid, and (ii) biphenylcarboxylic acid. At least a portion of the biphenyldicarboxylic acid is then separated from the hydrogenation effluent. Advantageously, a polyester product may be produced from the separated biphenyldicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A process for selective oxidation of at least one dimethylbiphenyl compound to the corresponding biphenyldicarboxylic acid, where the dimethylbiphenyl compound is supplied to at least one reaction zone together with an acidic solvent, an oxidizing medium, and a catalyst comprising cobalt, manganese, and bromine. The dimethyl biphenyl compound and oxidizing medium are contacted with the catalyst in the at least one reaction zone at a temperature of 150 to 210° C. to oxidize the dimethylbiphenyl compound to the corresponding biphenyldicarboxylic acid. The supply of dimethylbiphenyl compound to the at least one reaction zone is then terminated, but the supply of oxidizing medium and catalyst is continued with the at least one reaction zone at a temperature of 150 to 210° C. A reaction product comprising at least 95 wt % of the biphenyldicarboxylic acid based on the total weight of oxidized dimethylbiphenyl compound is then recovered from the at least one reaction zone.

Abstract: Processes are described for purifying a biphenyldicarboxylic acid product containing one or more impurities, particularly at least formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid. In the processes, at least a portion of the biphenyldicarboxylic acid product is contacted with an alcohol under conditions effective to esterify at least part of the biphenyldicarboxylic acid and at least part of the formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid and produce an esterification effluent containing biphenyldicarboxylic acid diester and formylbiphenylcarboxylic acid ester. At least part of the biphenyldicarboxylic acid diester is then separated from the esterification effluent by crystallization. Advantageously, a polyester product may be produced from the separated biphenyldicarboxylic acid diester.

Abstract: Processes for producing neopentane are disclosed herein. Processes comprise demethylating a C6-C8 alkane within a shell and tube reactor to produce a demethylation product including at least 10 wt % neopentane based on the weight of the demethylation product.

Abstract: Catalysts and processes for producing catalysts for neopentane production are provided herein. A process includes reducing a catalyst precursor comprising a transition metal and an inorganic support at a temperature less than 500° C. to produce a catalyst. Also provided herein are processes to produce neopentane using the catalysts described herein and neopentane compositions produced therefrom.

Abstract: Processes for producing neopentane are disclosed herein. Processes comprise demethylating a C6-C8 alkane within a shell and tube reactor to produce a demethylation product including at least 10 wt % neopentane based on the weight of the demethylation product.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for producing neopentane. The processes generally relate to demethylating neohexane and/or neoheptane to produce neopentane. The neohexane and/or neoheptane may be provided by the isomerization of C6-C7 paraffins.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for producing neopentane. The processes generally relate to demethylating isooctane to produce neopentane. The isooctane may be provided by the alkylation of isobutane with butylenes.

Abstract: A furfural derivative having the chemical formula (1) wherein R represents hydrogen, an alkyl group or an acyl group, is prepared in a process, which process includes reacting a fructose- and/or glucose-containing starting material with a liquid hydroxyl group-containing compound of formula R—OH in the presence of an acid catalyst at a reaction temperature in the range of 150 to 300° C. to produce an acid reaction mixture including the furfural derivative of chemical formula (1), which acid reaction mixture has a pH-value of smaller than 3; neutralizing the acid reaction mixture to a pH-value in the range of 3 to 6.5 to provide a partially neutralized reaction mixture; and purifying the partially neutralized reaction mixture to recover the furfural derivative of chemical formula (1).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for producing neopentane. The processes generally relate to demethylating neohexane and/or neoheptane to produce neopentane. The neohexane and/or neoheptane may be provided by the isomerization of C6-C7 paraffins.

Abstract: A furfural derivative having the chemical formula (1) where R represents hydrogen, an alkyl group or an acyl group, is prepared in a process, which process includes reacting a fructose- and/or glucose-containing starting material with a liquid hydroxyl group-containing compound of formula R—OH in the presence of an acid catalyst at a reaction temperature in the range of 150 to 300° C. to produce a primary acid reaction mixture including the furfural derivative of chemical formula (1); separating part of the liquid hydroxyl group-containing compound from the primary acid reaction mixture to yield a secondary acid reaction mixture; neutralizing the secondary acid reaction mixture to a pH-value of at least 3 to obtain a neutralized reaction mixture; and purifying the neutralized reaction mixture to recover the furfural derivative of chemical formula (1).

Abstract: A furfural derivative having the chemical formula (1) where R represents hydrogen, an alkyl group or an acyl group, is prepared in a process, which process includes reacting a fructose-and/or glucose-containing starting material with a liquid hydroxyl group-containing compound of formula R—OH in the presence of an acid catalyst at a reaction temperature in the range of 150 to 300° C. to produce a primary acid reaction mixture including the furfural derivative of chemical formula (1); separating part of the liquid hydroxyl group-containing compound from the primary acid reaction mixture to yield a secondary acid reaction mixture; neutralizing the secondary acid reaction mixture to a pH-value of at least 3 to obtain a neutralized reaction mixture; and purifying the neutralized reaction mixture to recover the furfural derivative of chemical formula (1).

Abstract: A furfural derivative having the chemical formula (1) wherein R represents hydrogen, an alkyl group or an acyl group, is prepared in a process, which process includes reacting a fructose- and/or glucose-containing starting material with a liquid hydroxyl group-containing compound of formula R—OH in the presence of an acid catalyst at a reaction temperature in the range of 150 to 300° C. to produce an acid reaction mixture including the furfural derivative of chemical formula (1), which acid reaction mixture has a pH-value of smaller than 3; neutralizing the acid reaction mixture to a pH-value in the range of 3 to 6.5 to provide a partially neutralized reaction mixture; and purifying the partially neutralized reaction mixture to recover the furfural derivative of chemical formula (1).

Abstract: 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid and methyl acetate are prepared in a continuous process by introducing a 5-methoxymethylfurfural-containing feedstock, an oxygen-containing gas, an oxidation catalyst and an acetic acid-containing solvent into a reactor; allowing 5-methoxymethylfurfural to react with oxygen and acetic acid in the presence of the oxidation catalyst to yield 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid as main product and methyl acetate; withdrawing 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid-containing product from the reactor and recovering 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid product; and withdrawing a vaporous stream containing methyl acetate from the reactor.

Abstract: In a process for carrying out a reaction, a liquid reaction mixture is contacted with a catalyst that includes silica and/or a silicate, in which process a silicon compound that is soluble in the liquid reaction mixture is added to the reaction mixture before being contacted with the catalyst. The aqueous reaction mixture suitably contains water, an alcohol or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid and methyl acetate are prepared in a continuous process by introducing a 5-methoxymethylfurfural-containing feedstock, an oxygen-containing gas, an oxidation catalyst and an acetic acid-containing solvent into a reactor; allowing 5-methoxymethylfurfural to react with oxygen and acetic acid in the presence of the oxidation catalyst to yield 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid as main product and methyl acetate; withdrawing 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid-containing product from the reactor and recovering 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid product; and withdrawing a vaporous stream containing methyl acetate from the reactor.

Abstract: A process for the metathesis of olefins has been developed. The process comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst at metathesis conditions. The catalyst comprises a tungsten compound, which contains at least one tungsten-fluoro bond, dispersed or grafted onto a support. A specific example of the catalyst is the compound WOF(CH2CMe3)3 grafted onto a silica support. The feedstock comprises a first and a second olefin wherein the second olefin has a carbon number of at least two greater than the first olefin and the product is an olefin with a carbon number intermediate between the first and second olefin. Specifically the process produces propylene from ethylene and butylene.