Abstract: Methods for the production of dehydrated sugars and derivatives of dehydrated sugars using microwave (MW) irradiation and methods of purifying the same are described. The dehydrated sugars derivatives include 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (HMF) and anhydrosugar alcohols such as sorbitans and isosorbide. The derivatives include HMF ethers, levulinic acid esters, and ether derivatives of the anhydrosugar alcohols. The described methods require lower reaction temperatures and shorter reaction times than similar non microwave mediated reactions known in the art. Typical reaction conditions are 120-210° C., and typical reaction times are 30 minutes or less.

Abstract: Methods for the production of dehydrated sugars and derivatives of dehydrated sugars using microwave (MW) irradiation and methods of purifying the same are described. The dehydrated sugars derivatives include 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (HMF) and anhydrosugar alcohols such as sorbitans and isosorbide. The derivatives include HMF ethers, levulinic acid esters, and ether derivatives of the anhydrosugar alcohols. The described methods require lower reaction temperatures and shorter reaction times than similar non microwave mediated reactions known in the art. Typical reaction conditions are 120-210° C., and typical reaction times are 30 minutes or less.

Abstract: A method for alkylation of an anhydrosugar compound in which a dialkyl carbonate is reacted with an anhydrosugar compound in the presence of a solid phase basic catalyst. A typical anhydrosugar compound is anhydrosugar alcohol, a dianhydromonoether and mixtures thereof. The reaction step uses zeolyte as the solid phase basic catalyst. The zeolite catalyst is typically a zeolite having ammonium groups. The reaction is carried out at a temperature below 240° C. and the reaction time is 2 hours or less.

Abstract: Methods for the production of dehydrated sugars and derivatives of dehydrated sugars using microwave (MW) irradiation and methods of purifying the same are described. The dehydrated sugars derivatives include 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (HMF) and anhydrosugar alcohols such as sorbitans and isosorbide. The derivatives include HMF ethers, levulinic acid esters, and ether derivatives of the anhydrosugar alcohols. The described methods require lower reaction temperatures and shorter reaction times than similar non microwave mediated reactions known in the art. Typical reaction conditions are 120-210° C., and typical reaction times are 30 minutes or less.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a process for oxidation of furan aldehydes such as 5-hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) and derivatives thereof such as 5-(alkoxymethyl)furfural (AMF), 5-(aryloxymethyl)furfural, 5-(cycloalkoxy-methyl)furfural and 5-(alkoxycarbonyl)furfural compounds in the presence of dissolved oxygen and a Co(II), Mn(II), Ce(III) salt catalyst or mixtures thereof. The products from HMF can be selectively chosen to be predominantly 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF), particularly by inclusion of an aliphatic ketone, like methyl ethyl ketone, or can be further oxidized to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) by the omission of methyl ethyl ketone and inclusion of bromide. When the reactant is an ether derivative of HMF the products are surprisingly ester derivatives where either both the ether and aldehyde functional groups have been oxidized or just the ether function group thereby producing one or both of 5-ester-furan-2-acids (i.e., 5-alkoxycarbonylfurancarboxylic acids) or 5-ester-furan aldehydes, (i.e.

Abstract: A method for utilizing an industrially convenient fructose source for a dehydration reaction converting a carbohydrate to a furan derivative is provided. Recovery methods also are provided. Embodiments of the methods improve upon the known methods of producing furan derivatives.

Abstract: A method for utilizing an industrially convenient fructose source for a dehydration reaction converting a carbohydrate to a furan derivative is provided. Recovery methods also are provided. Embodiments of the methods improve upon the known methods of producing furan derivatives.

Abstract: A method for utilizing an industrially convenient fructose source for a dehydration reaction converting a carbohydrate to a furan derivative is provided. Recovery methods also are provided. Embodiments of the methods improve upon the known methods of producing furan derivatives.

Abstract: A method for alkylation of an anhydrosugar compound in which a dialkyl carbonate is reacted with an anhydrosugar compound in the presence of a solid phase basic catalyst. A typical anhydrosugar compound is anhydrosugar alcohol, a dianhydromonoether and mixtures thereof. The reaction step uses zeolyte as the solid phase basic catalyst. The zeolite catalyst is typically a zeolite having ammonium groups. The reaction is carried out at a temperature below 240° C. and the reaction time is 2 hours or less.

Abstract: A method of preparing 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran comprises heating a reaction mixture comprising 2,5-(hydroxymethyl)furaldehyde, an organic solvent, and a catalyst system comprising nickel and zirconium at a temperature, for a time, and at a pressure sufficient to promote reduction of the 2,5-(hydroxymethyl)furaldehyde to 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran to produce a product mixture comprising 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: A method for utilizing an industrially convenient fructose source for a dehydration reaction converting a carbohydrate to a furan derivative is provided. Recovery methods also are provided. Embodiments of the methods improve upon the known methods of producing furan derivatives.

Abstract: A method of producing substantially pure HMF, HMF esters and other derivatives from a carbohydrate source by contacting the carbohydrate source with a solid phase catalyst. A carbohydrate starting material is heated in a solvent in a column and continuously flowed through a solid phase catalyst in the presence of an organic acid, or heated with the organic acid and a solid catalyst in solution to form a HMF ester. Heating without organic acid forms HMF. The resulting product is purified by filtration to remove the unreacted starting materials and catalyst. The HMF ester or a mixture of HMF and HMF ester may then be oxidized to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) by combining the HMF ester with an organic acid, cobalt acetate, manganese acetate and sodium bromide under pressure. Alternatively, the HMF ester may be reduced to form a furan or tetrahydrofuran diol.

Abstract: A method of producing HMF by mixing or agitating an aqueous solution of fructose and inorganic acid catalyst with a water immiscible organic solvent to form an emulsion of the aqueous and organic phases. The mixture is heated in a flow-through reactor at elevated pressures and then separated into aqueous and organic phases to obtain HMF. The aqueous phase and the organic phase are mixed with an in-line mixer prior to, preferably, immediately before addition of the biphasic reaction mixture into the reactor. After separation, HMF is recovered from the aqueous and organic phases to obtain high yields of HMF without the presence of insoluble solid impurities.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of anhydrosugar alcohols. The process involves heating a sugar alcohol or a monoanhydrosugar alcohol starting material in the presence of an acid catalyst, and subsequent purification of the anhydrosugar alcohol. In some embodiments of the present invention, film evaporators are used in distillation and purification of the anhydrosugar alcohols. Anhydrosugar alcohols of very high purity are achieved in the practice of the present invention. In some embodiments of the present invention, very high purities of the anhydrosugar alcohols are achieved without the use of organic solvents.

Abstract: A method of preparing 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran comprises heating a reaction mixture comprising 2,5-(hydroxymethyl)furaldehyde, an organic solvent, and a catalyst system comprising nickel and zirconium at a temperature, for a time, and at a pressure sufficient to promote reduction of the 2,5-(hydroxymethyl)furaldehyde to 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran to produce a product mixture comprising 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of anhydrosugar alcohols. The process involves heating a sugar alcohol or a monoanhydrosugar alcohol starting material in the presence of an acid catalyst and under pressure. Optionally the resulting product is purified. Very high purities are achieved, without necessitating the use of organic solvents in the process.

Abstract: A method of preparing 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran comprises heating a reaction mixture comprising 2,5-(hydroxymethyl)furaldehyde, an organic solvent, and a catalyst system comprising nickel and zirconium at a temperature, for a time, and at a pressure sufficient to promote reduction of the 2,5-(hydroxymethyl)furaldehyde to 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran to produce a product mixture comprising 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: A method for utilizing an industrially convenient fructose source for a dehydration reaction converting a carbohydrate to a furan derivative is provided. Recovery methods also are provided. Embodiments of the methods improve upon the known methods of producing furan derivatives.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of anhydrosugar alcohols. The process involves heating a sugar alcohol or a monoanhydrosugar alcohol starting material in the presence of an acid catalyst and under pressure. Optionally the resulting product is purified. Very high purities are achieved, without necessitating the use of organic solvents in the process.

Abstract: Compositions, novel isolation sources and processes, and uses for unique policosanol containing compositions are disclosed. Seed and vegetable processing byproduct and/or “waste” streams are disclosed as containing policosanols with various relative amounts of the various long chain fatty/waxy alcohols. The policosanols are isolated and may be combined with other phytochemical/processing products, and are used in numerous food, beverage, health and/or nutraceutical applications.