Abstract: A method of processing an aqueous hemicellulosic stream containing lignin, comprising: (a) contacting an aqueous hemicellulosic stream containing lignin with a C3-8 alkyl alcohol at elevated temperature and acidic pH; (b) separating the reaction mixture obtained from step (a) into an aqueous phase containing hemicellulose-derived monosaccharide and an organic phase containing C3-8 alkyl alcohol; (c) concentrating the organic phase obtained from step (b) to remove at least some C3-8 alkyl alcohol; (d) treating the residue from step (c) with water or an aqueous medium having an alkaline pH; and (e) recovering C3-8 alkyl alcohol from the product of step (d).

Abstract: A method of processing an aqueous hemicellulosic stream containing lignin, comprising: (a) contacting an aqueous hemicellulosic stream containing lignin with a C3-8 alkyl alcohol at elevated temperature and acidic pH; (b) separating the reaction mixture obtained from step (a) into an aqueous phase containing hemicellulose-derived monosaccharide and an organic phase containing C3-8 alkyl alcohol; (c) concentrating the organic phase obtained from step (b) to remove at least some C3-8 alkyl alcohol; (d) treating the residue from step (c) with water or an aqueous medium having an alkaline pH; and (e) recovering C3-8 alkyl alcohol from the product of step (d).

Abstract: Polyester oil structurants are obtainable by the reaction of a C4 to C10 Q dicarboxylic acid, a polyol and a C16 to C30, particularly a C20 to C24, monocarboxylic fatty acid. The structurants can be used to provide structure, particularly thickening and/or gelling, in oils of a wide range of polarity. Thickened oils can find application in a range of personal care and other applications.

Abstract: Polyglycerol carboxylic acid esters are made by reaction of a, typically C2 to C30, particularly C6 to C22, carboxylic acid with glycerol carbonate, particularly with base catalyst, and desirably at temperatures from 170° C. to 250° C. Other carbonates e.g. cyclic diol carbonates such as ethylene or propylene carbonates, may be used in combination with the glycerol carbonate to make novel mixed polymeric esters. The molar ratio of carboxylic acid group to glycerol carbonate is typically from 2 to 30, but can be up to 100. The base catalyst is desirably alkali metal hydroxide, carbonate or alkoxide. The reaction is desirably carried out in an inert atmosphere, and reducing agent such as phosphorous acid, hypophosphorous acid or borohydride and/or activated carbon, may be included to improve product color.

Abstract: Hard surfaces can be treated to improve soil resistance, particularly resistance to oily soils, by applying a composition of a quaternised, polyamine, polypropoxylate, polyethoxylate. The polyamine can be a polyethyleneimme, desirably having a molecular weight of from 10 to 50 kDa. The average length of the polypropylenoxy chains is desirably from 10 to 100 and the polyethylenoxy chains from 5 to 50 (each per NH group in the polyamine), particularly at a molar ratio of PO:EO of about 3:1. The degree of quaternization of the nitrogen atoms in the polyamine is desirably from 70 to 100%. The polymer will usually be used in solution in water or an aqueous formulation, which may include detergent and other detergent formulation components.

Abstract: Hard surfaces can be treated to improve soil resistance, particularly resistance to oily soils, by applying a composition of a quaternised, polyamine, polypropoxylate, polyethoxylate. The polyamine can be a polyethyleneimme, desirably having a molecular weight of from 10 to 50 kDa. The average length of the polypropylenoxy chains is desirably from 10 to 100 and the polyethylenoxy chains from 5 to 50 (each per NH group in the polyamine), particularly at a molar ratio of PO:EO of about 3:1. The degree of quaternisation of the nitrogen atoms in the polyamine is desirably from 70 to 100%. The polymer will usually be used in solution in water or an aqueous formulation, which may include detergent and other detergent formulation components.

Abstract: Oligoesters including residues of alk(en)yl succinic anhydrides and polyols having at least 3 OH groups, optionally further esterified with fatty acid residues are surfactants which can be used for emulsifiers or similar uses. The surfactants are usually made from C8 to C30 alk(en)yl succinic anhydride and polyols having at least 4 hydroxyl groups and are particularly of the formula (I): R1—[OR2O(O)C.C(HR3).(HR4)C.C(O)]m—R5 (I), where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and m have defined meanings. The surfactants are useful as emulsifiers, particularly oil in water emulsifiers.

Abstract: Oligoesters including residues of alk(en)yl succinic anhydrides and polyols having at least 3 OH groups, optionally further esterified with fatty acid residues are surfactants which can be used for emulsifiers or similar uses. The surfactants are usually made from C8 to C30 alk(en)yl succinic anhydride and polyols having at least 4 hydroxyl groups and are particularly of the formula (I): R1—[OR2O(O)C.C(HR3).(HR4)C.C(O)]m—R5 (I), where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and m have defined meanings. The surfactants are useful as emulsifiers, particuarly oil in water emulsifiers.

Abstract: Polyglycerol ethers of sorbitan carboxylic acid, particularly C8 to C22 carboxylic acid, esters are new surfactant compounds, useful as emulsifiers. Desirable compounds are of the formula (I): Sor(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4) where R1, R2, R3, R4 have defined meanings such that at least one group is of the formula (II): -G2CR5, where R5 is a C7 to C21 hydrocarbyl group, and at least one is of the formula (III): -[Gly]-[AO]m-H where Gly is a glycerol residue, AO is an alkyleneoxy residue of a corresponding diol cyclic carbonate, in any order; n is an average of from 0 to 100; and m is an average of from 0 to 75; such that the total of all the indices n is at least 1.

Abstract: Polyester oil structurants are obtainable by the reaction of a C4 to C10 Q dicarboxylic acid, a polyol and a C16 to C30, particularly a C20 to C24, monocarboxylic fatty acid. The structurants can be used to provide structure, particularly thickening and/or gelling, in oils of a wide range of polarity. Thickened oils can find application in a range of personal care and other applications.

Abstract: Polyglycerol carboxylic acid esters are made by reaction of a, typically C2 to C30, particularly C6 to C22. carboxylic acid with glycerol carbonate, particularly with base catalyst, and desirably at temperatures from 170° C. to 250° C. Other carbonates e.g. cyclic diol carbonates such as ethylene or propylene carbonates, may be used in combination with the glycerol carbonate to make novel mixed polymeric esters. The molar ratio of carboxylic acid group to glycerol carbonate is typically from 2 to 30, but can be up to 100. The base catalyst is desirably alkali metal hydroxide, carbonate or alkoxide. The reaction is desirably carried out in an inert atmosphere, and reducing agent such as phosphorous acid, hypophosphorous acid or borohydride and/or activated carbon, may be included to improve product colour.

Abstract: Polyester oil structurants are obtainable by the reaction of a dimer based dicarboxylic acid, a polyol and a C16 to C30, particularly a C20 to C24, monocarboxylic fatty acid. The structurants can be used to provide structure, particularly thickening and/or gelling, in oils of a wide range of polarity. Thickened oils can find application in a range of personal care and other applications.