Abstract: A method for preparing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid (HMTBA) or 2-hydroxy-4-methylselenobutyric acid (HMSeBA) by catalytic conversion of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile or 2-hydroxy-4-methylselenobutyronitrile, respectively, where said conversion is carried out in the presence of water and at least one weak acid and one catalyst comprising at least one of alumina, titanium dioxide and zirconia.

Abstract: The invention concerns a preparation of a compound of formula I, [Chem 1] CH3XCH2CH2C(NH2)COOH??(I) where X represents S or Se, by catalytic conversion of a compound of formula II [Chem 2] CH3XCH2CH2C(Y)CN??(II) where X represents S or Se and Y represents NH2 or OH, when Y represents NH2, the conversion being carried out in the presence of water and of at least one catalyst comprising at least alumina, titanium dioxide or a mixture thereof, and when Y represents OH, the conversion being carried out in the presence of water, of at least one catalyst comprising at least alumina, titanium dioxide, zirconia or a mixture thereof, and NH3 or an ammonium salt.

Abstract: An agent for initiating a radical addition reaction includes a persulfate and one or more transition metals, in elemental form or in an oxidized form, as well as a method for preparing a compound of formula (I) in which X is selected from S, Se and O; by a radical addition reaction in the presence of such an agent.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyric acid (HMTBA) from 2-hydroxy-4-methylthio-butyronitrile (HMTBN), where HMTBN is hydrolyzed into HMTBA in the presence of a mineral acid in an aqueous medium, the medium is neutralized by addition of a base, a first phase including at least HMTBA and salts and a second phase containing salts are separated, the method including the separation of the HMTBA from the salts of the first phase, by subjecting the latter to a chromatography.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butyric acid (HMTBA) from 2-hydroxy-4-methylthio-butyronitrile (HMTBN), where HMTBN is hydrolyzed into HMTBA in the presence of a mineral acid in an aqueous medium, the medium is neutralized by addition of a base, a first phase including at least HMTBA and salts and a second phase containing salts are separated, the method including the separation of the HMTBA from the salts of the first phase, by subjecting the latter to a chromatography.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of xylene derivatives from furfural and its derivatives. The invention describes new routes for converting furfural and its derivatives into xylene derivatives including novel intermediates.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing at least one levulinate ester, said process comprising the reaction of furfuryl alcohol with at least one other alcohol in the presence of water and at least one catalyst, said furfuryl alcohol being present in a quantity of at least 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the alcohols, and said catalyst comprising at least one triflate ligand and at least one metal selected from bismuth, gallium, aluminum, tin and iron.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing at least one levulinate ester, said process comprising the reaction of furfuryl alcohol with at least one other alcohol in the presence of water and at least one catalyst, said furfuryl alcohol being present in a quantity of at least 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the alcohols, and said catalyst comprising at least one triflate ligand and at least one metal selected from bismuth, gallium, aluminum, tin and iron.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of an amino ester of formula (I) R1—O—C(O)—(CH2)n—NH2 (I) in which n is an integer from 10 to 15 from an unsaturated ester responding to formula (II) R1—O—C(O)—(CH2)m—CH?CH—R2 (II) in which R1 is either H or a saturated alkyl group containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R2 is either H or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, either saturated or containing 1 or 2 unsaturations and bearing optionally a hydroxyl, a carboxylic or an ester group, and m is equal to 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11; said process comprising: submitting the unsaturated ester of formula (II) to a catalytic cross-metathesis reaction with a pentenenitrile chosen among 2-pentenenitrile or 3-pentenenitrile in order to obtain a ester-nitrile responding to formula (III) R1—O—C(O)—(CH2)m—CH?CH—(CH2)p—CN (III) in which m is equal to 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 and p is equal to 0 or 1, and submitting the obtained ester-nitrile of formula (III) to an hydrogenation in order to obtain the amino ester of formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of xylene derivatives from furfural and its derivatives. The invention describes new routes for converting furfural and its derivatives into xylene derivatives including novel intermediates.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of an amino ester of formula (I) R1—O—C(O)—(CH2)n—NH2 (I) in which n is an integer from 10 to 15 from an unsaturated ester responding to formula (II) R1—O—C(O)—(CH2)m—CH?CH—R2 (II) in which R1 is either H or a saturated alkyl group containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R2 is either H or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, either saturated or containing 1 or 2 unsaturations and bearing optionally a hydroxyl, a carboxylic or an ester group, and m is equal to 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11; said process comprising: submitting the unsaturated ester of formula (II) to a catalytic cross-metathesis reaction with a pentenenitrile chosen among 2-pentenenitrile or 3-pentenenitrile in order to obtain a ester-nitrile responding to formula (III) R1—O—C(O)—(CH2)m—CH?CH—(CH2)p—CN (III) in which m is equal to 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 and p is equal to 0 or 1, and submitting the obtained ester-nitrile of formula (III) to an hydrogenation in order to obtain the amino ester of formula (I).

Abstract: A method for preparing a mixture (M) comprising at least an alcohol (Aj), said method comprising the following steps: i) a step in which at least an alcohol (Ai) in gaseous state is oligomerized, thereby producing a mixture (A); ii) a step in which the mixture (A) is condensed to a gaseous stream and to a liquid stream corresponding to a condensed mixture (A); and iii) a step in which the condensed mixture (A) is hydrogenated in the liquid state.

Abstract: A method for preparing a mixture (M) including at least one alcohol (Aj), wherein said method includes a gas-phase oligomerization reaction of at least one alcohol (Ai) with a solid acid-base catalyst doped with one or more metals, said reaction being carried out in the presence of hydrogen and at a temperature of no less than 50° C. and strictly less than 200° C.

Abstract: A process for preparing a mixture (M) comprising at least one alcohol (Aj), wherein said process comprises a reaction for oligomerization in the gas phase of at least one alcohol (Ai), carried out in the presence of a solid catalyst doped with one or more metals, at a temperature greater than or equal to 50° C. and strictly below 200° C. The oligomerization reaction is carried out in the absence of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method for preparing a mixture (M) comprising at least an alcohol (Aj), said method comprising the following steps: i) a step in which at least an alcohol (Ai) in gaseous state is oligomerized, thereby producing a mixture (A); ii) a step in which the mixture (A) is condensed to a gaseous stream and to a liquid stream corresponding to a condensed mixture (A); and iii) a step in which the condensed mixture (A) is hydrogenated in the liquid state.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into sugars, comprising at least three steps. The first step is a step for cooking the lignocellulosic biomass in the presence of at least one hydrated inorganic salt mixed with at least one other metallic salt. The second step is a step for separating at least one solid fraction which has undergone the cooking step, and the third step is a step for enzymatic hydrolysis of said solid fraction to convert the polysaccharides into monosaccharides. The sugars obtained thereby can then be fermented into alcohols.