Abstract: Polyhydroxylated compounds such as glucose, sucrose, sorbitol, etc. are subjected to a hydrogenolysis reaction at hydrogenolysis conditions which include a temperature in the range of from about 175.degree. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of from about 10 to about 2000 pounds per square inch in the presence of a catalytic composition of matter. The catalyst comprises a carbonaceous pyropolymer possessing recurring units containing at least carbon and hydrogen atoms which is impregnated with a transition metal. The products which are obtained will include alcohols, acids, ketones, ethers, and hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery of .alpha.-hydroxy- and .alpha.-amino-carboxylic acids from sugary media containing them.According to the process of the invention:in a first phase, the mixture from which it is proposed to recover the .alpha.-hydroxy- or .alpha.-amino-carboxylic acid and which contains the latter in the form of its calcium salt is contacted with a cationic resin in the calcium form for a sufficient time to reach optimal adsorption of said calcium salt and then,in a second phase, the previously saturated resin is eluted by resorting to water.The process according to the invention enables the quantitative production of a pure calcium salt.