Abstract: Disclosed are catalysts comprised of platinum and gold. The catalysts are generally useful for the selective oxidation of compositions comprised of a primary alcohol group and at least one secondary alcohol group wherein at least the primary alcohol group is converted to a carboxyl group. More particularly, the catalysts are supported catalysts including particles comprising gold and particles comprising platinum, wherein the molar ratio of platinum to gold is in the range of about 100:1 to about 1:4, the platinum is essentially present as Pt(0) and the platinum-containing particles are of a size in the range of about 2 to about 50 nm. Also disclosed are methods for the oxidative chemocatalytic conversion of carbohydrates to carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof. Additionally, methods are disclosed for the selective oxidation of glucose to glucaric acid or derivatives thereof using catalysts comprising platinum and gold. Further, methods are disclosed for the production of such catalysts.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions including a microemulsion comprising lecithin, a polysorbate, an alkyl polyglycoside, and optionally a solvent. Uses of the microemulsions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual-surface treated composite superabsorbent particle comprising a polycarboxylate polymer (e.g., saponified polyacrylamide) and a carboxylated starch polymer is disclosed. The surface of the particle is cross linked through esterification with a C2-C4 polyol exemplified with glycerol. In addition, the surface region is crosslinked through ionic bonds with a trivalent metal ion exemplified with aluminum. In a critical method of making, the acidification of the surface with the polyol occurs prior to treatment with the trivalent metal ion, which results is a hybrid particle that can include up to about 40% of carboxymethyl starch yet exhibit a FSC of at least 47 g/g, a CRC of at least 27 g/g, an AUL of at least 18 g/g under a load of 0.7 psi, and a SFR of at least 180 ml/min. Also disclosed is a method of making that includes a surface esterification prior to aluminum treatment.

Abstract: A method for acid-catalyzed acylation of an isohexide is described. The method involves a reaction of an isohexide and an excess of carboxylic acid in the presence of a Lewis acid or a Brnsted acid catalyst. One or more Lewis acid or Brnsted acid can facilitate conversion of isohexides to their corresponding mono and diesters with a pronounced greater regio-selectivity of exo-OH over endo-OH of the isohexide in the product. Particular catalytic acid species include zirconium chloride (ZrCl4) and phosphonic acid (H3PO3), which manifest a ratio of exo:endo regioselectivity of about 5.0?3:1 and about 4.00.3:1, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to processes for converting fructose-containing feedstocks to a product comprising 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) and water in the presence of water, solvent and an acid catalyst. In some embodiments, the conversion of fructose to HMF is controlled at a partial conversion endpoint characterized by a yield of HMF from fructose that does not exceed about 80 mol %. In these and other embodiments, the processes provide separation techniques for separating and recovering the product, unconverted fructose, solvent and acid catalyst to enable the effective recovery and reutilization of reaction components.

Abstract: A method of isolating and purifying a product of sugar alcohol or anhydrosugar alcohol hydrogenolysis from a reaction mixture containing sorbitans, 1,2,4-butanetriol (BTO), 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol (HTO), among other byproducts of a hydrogenolysis reaction of a sugar alcohol and/or a mono- or di-dehydrative product of a sugar alcohol is described. The method involves contacting the mixture having the products of sugar alcohol or anhydrosugar alcohol hydrogenation and other C1-C6 alcohols and polyols with a resin material adapted for chromatography under conditions where the products preferentially associates with the resin relative to other components in the mixture, and eluting products from the resin with a solvent. The method suggests a way for separation of aliphatic polyols generated from the hydrogenolysis of sugar alcohols or anhydrosugar alcohols.

Abstract: Shaped porous carbon products and processes for preparing these products are provided. The shaped porous carbon products can be used, for example, as catalyst supports and adsorbents. Catalyst compositions including these shaped porous carbon products, processes of preparing the catalyst compositions, and various processes of using the shaped porous carbon products and catalyst compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Processes are described for making biobased isoprene, wherein a biobased isobutene prepared from acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst is combined with a formaldehyde source to form a reaction mixture, and the reaction mixture is reacted to yield biobased isoprene. In certain embodiments, methyl-tert-butyl ether prepared by reacting the same biobased isobutene with methanol serves as a formaldehyde source, being oxidatively cracked to produce formaldehyde as well as isobutene for being converted to the biobased isoprene.

Abstract: A process for preparing materials derived from sugar alcohols such that the dehydration products exhibit better accountability and improved color to water-clear or near water-white appearance is described. In particular, the process involves employing a reducing Brnsted acid (e.g., phosphonic acid) for the catalysis of sugar alcohols to their corresponding dehydrated-cyclized products.

Abstract: Processes of fractionating phospholipids are disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes placing a phospholipid containing material in contact with an adsorbent, such that the adsorbent associates with at least one phospholipid of the phospholipid containing material. The process may further include eluting the at least one phospholipid from the adsorbent.

Abstract: Compositions for converting contaminants or dispersing compounds are described. Systems and methods of using the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is described for converting hydroxymethylfurfural to furanic products inclusive of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, comprising combining a quantity of hydroxymethylfurfural with water to provide an aqueous solution containing at least about five percent by weight of hydroxymethylfurfural, and combining the aqueous solution with an oxygen source in the presence of a heterogeneous ruthenium-based catalyst and under conditions which are effective for oxidizing hydroxymethylfurfural to furanic oxidation products inclusive of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, but in the substantial absence of any solvent for either hydroxymethylfurfural or 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid other than water.

Abstract: An improved process for making bioderived propylene glycol from a feed composition including at least one of lactic acid, glycerol, a five carbon sugar, a five carbon sugar alcohol, a six carbon sugar and a six carbon sugar alcohol, wherein production of four carbon and higher diols is reduced by adding base after the initiation of the reaction. In preferred embodiments, the process pH and other process conditions are initially established at targeted values for obtaining the highest conversion for a given catalyst consistent with the production of substantially no pentanediol byproducts in the product mixture, and base is added thereafter to control the process pH proximate to the initially targeted value.

Abstract: Sugar-derived tetrol, non-ionic amphiphilic amine-esters are prepared facilely and efficaciously in a few steps. The process is initiated by the esterification of a sugar-derived tetrol with a fatty acid chloride, then, undergoing triflate esterification followed by nucleophilic displacement of the aforementioned hydrophilic amine. Each synthetic pathway is efficient and affords modest to high yields of target amphiphiles, which are valorized as practicable surfactant surrogates to petroleum incumbents.

Abstract: The production of organic acids in low-cost, high-efficiency fermentation system makes available a new route to chemical production from biomass. A process for producing a hydrogenation product involving carboxylic acid esters recovered directly from a fermentation process is described.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the conversion of isosorbide to isoidide, wherein the isosorbide contains sorbitan impurities. The impurities in the isosorbide subjected to epimerization are converted to hydrodeoxygenation products. A method for synthesizing isoidide, comprising, providing an isosorbide containing one or more sorbitans; and, epimerizing the isosorbide to form an epimerization product comprising isoidide and hydrodeoxygenation products.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the purification of isoidide. The methods comprise subjecting an at least partially deionized isoidide composition comprising isoidide and other isohexides to chromatographic separation of isoidide from other isohexides, removal of solvent from the isoidide, and crystallization of the isoidide. Isoidide of monomer-grade purity is obtained.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions having lecithin, a plasticizer, and an emulsifier. The composition may be used solubilize polar solvents in non-polar liquids. Methods of producing and using the compositions disclosed herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a glycol mono-ether or mono-acetate, or carbonate involving either one of two pathways from alkylene glycols, HMF or its reduction derivative products (i.e., FDM, bHMTHFs), is provided. In particular, according to one pathway, the alkylene glycol, HMF or FDM, bHMTHFs are reacted with a dialkyl carbonate in the presence of a deprotonating agent, in substantial absence of an extrinsic catalyst, to produce an ether, and subsequently reacting the ether with an acid base. According to the other pathway, alkylene glycols are reacted with an acetate donor in the presence of an acid, base, to generate an alkylene mono-acetate, and etherified with a carbonate in the presence of a deprotonating agent.

Abstract: Various tools, strategies and techniques are provided for evaluating the condition of one or more commodities in one or more regions of interest. Collection of image data associated with the commodities can be facilitated through use of an aircraft traveling a predetermined travel route over the regions of interest. The collected image data may be analyzed to evaluate the condition of the commodities, forecast commodity production, and/or to perform other tasks.