Abstract: A process for producing alkyl R-lactate from an initial compound comprising substructure (I) is provided. The process involves producing an intermediate comprising R,R- and S,S-lactide from the initial compound, wherein the initial compound is subjected to stereoisomerisation conditions; and reacting at least a portion of the intermediate with an alkyl alcohol to produce a product comprising alkyl R-lactate, wherein alkyl R-lactate is produced in the presence of an enzyme. Also provided are processes for the production of R-lactic acid, oligomeric R-lactic acid, R,R-lactide, poly-R-lactic acid and stereocomplex lactic acid.

Abstract: A process for producing alkyl R-lactate from an initial compound comprising substructure (I) is provided. The process involves producing an intermediate comprising R,R- and S,S-lactide from the initial compound, wherein the initial compound is subjected to stereoisomerisation conditions; and reacting at least a portion of the intermediate with an alkyl alcohol to produce a product comprising alkyl R-lactate, wherein alkyl R-lactate is produced in the presence of an enzyme. Also provided are processes for the production of R-lactic acid, oligomeric R-lactic acid, R,R-lactide, poly-R-lactic acid and stereocomplex lactic acid.

Abstract: A process for the production of an ether optionally with a diol and/or a lactone, by reaction of a corresponding organic feed material selected from unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and/or anhydrides, mono-esters of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and/or anhydrides, diesters of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and/or anhydrides, unsaturated lactones, and mixtures of two or more thereof in the presence of hydrogen which comprises the steps of-(a) supplying a stream comprising at least a portion of the organic feed material to a pre-reactor zone comprising catalyst and operating under reaction conditions and contacting said feed with a hydrogen containing stream such that at least some of the carbon carbon double bonds are saturated; (b) vaporising the at least partly saturated feed into the hydrogen containing stream in a vaporizing zone; (c) supplying the hydrogen-containing stream containing the vaporized at least partially saturated feed to a reaction zone comprising catalyst and operating under reaction conditi

Abstract: A process is described for the production of ethers, typically terahydrofuran, by reaction of a corresponding organic feed material selected from dicarboxylic acids and/or anhydrides, monoesters of dicarboxylic acids and/or anhydrides, diesters of dicarboxylic acids and/or anhydrides, lactones, and mixtures of two or more thereof in the presence of hydrogen which comprises the steps of: (a) supplying a stream comprising the organic feed material to a first vaporisation zone and contacting said feed with cycle gas comprising hydrogen such that at least a portion of the feed material is vaporised by and into the cycle gas; (b) supplying at least a portion of the cycle gas and the vaporised feed material to a first reaction zone comprising catalyst and operating under reaction conditions to allow hydrogenation and dehydration to occur; (c) recovering from the first reaction zone an intermediate product stream comprising unreacted feed material, cycle gas, desired product(s), and any co-products and by-products;

Abstract: A process is described for the production of ethers, typically terahydrofuran, by reaction of a corresponding organic feed material selected from dicarboxylic acids and/or anhydrides, monoesters of dicarboxylic acids and/or anhydrides, diesters of dicarboxylic acids and/or anhydrides, lactones, and mixtures of two or more thereof in the presence of hydrogen which comprises the steps of: (a) supplying a stream comprising the organic feed material to a first vaporisation zone and contacting said feed with cycle gas comprising hydrogen such that at least a portion of the feed material is vaporised by and into the cycle gas; (b) supplying at least a portion of the cycle gas and the vaporised feed material to a first reaction zone comprising catalyst and operating under reaction conditions to allow hydrogenation and dehydration to occur; (c) recovering from the first reaction zone an intermediate product stream comprising unreacted feed material, cycle gas, desired product(s), and any co-products and by-products;

Abstract: A process is described for the co-production of maleic anhydride and at least one C4 compound selected from butane-1,4-diol, &ggr;-butyrolactone, and tetrahydrofuran in which maleic anhydride is produced by partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon feedstock selected from C4 hydrocarbons and benzene to yield a vaporous reaction effluent stream comprising maleic anhydride, water, unconverted hydrocarbon feedstock, and carbon oxides. A part of the maleic anhydride present in the vaporous reaction effluent stream is condensed to form a crude maleic anhydride stream and leave a residual vaporous stream containing residual amounts of maleic anhydride. Further maleic anhydride is absorbed from the residual vaporous stream by absorption in an organic solvent, water or an aqueous solution. Maleic anhydride is then recovered from the loaded liquid absorptions medium.

Abstract: A process is described for the co-production of maleic anhydride and at least one C4 compound selected from butane-1,4-diol, ?-butyrolactone, and tetrahydrofuran in which maleic anhydride is produced by partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon feedstock selected from C4 hydrocarbons and benzene to yield a vaporous reaction effluent stream comprising maleic anhydride, water, unconverted hydrocarbon feedstock, and carbon oxides. A part of the maleic anhydride present in the vaporous reaction effluent stream is condensed to form a crude maleic anhydride stream and leave a residual vaporous stream containing residual amounts of maleic anhydride. Further maleic anhydride is absorbed from the residual vaporous stream by absorption in an organic solvent, water or an aqueous solution. Maleic anhydride is then recovered from the loaded liquid absorptions medium.