Abstract: Processes for the oxidation of carbohydrate dehydration products, such as furanics that can be oxidized to the bio-based monomer 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), are disclosed, according to which certain co-feeds, having been discovered to impart a beneficial reaction stabilizing effect, are oxidized together with the carbohydrate dehydration products. This can advantageously counteract, in whole or in part, detrimental effects of humin impurities present in oxidation feed, with such impurities having been generated as byproducts of the upstream dehydrating step. An important co-feed is para-xylene that can be co-oxidized to form the petroleum-based monomer terephthalic acid (TPA), such that co-processing can beneficially yield two valuable monomers, while improving performance, particularly in terms of reaction stability, over comparable processes in which only the first monomer is produced.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the production of bio-based polymers (e.g., polymers made from glucose), including polyesters, as well as end products resulting from such production, in which one or more color stabilizing additive compounds is utilized. The additive(s) may be used in the stabilization of a monomer or prepolymer that is reacted in such production methods, prior to obtaining the polymer. Particular bio-based polymers are those having furandicarboxylate moieties or residues in their backbone structure, with poly(alkylene furan dicarboxylate) polymers, such as polyethylene furan dicarboxylate) (PEF) and poly(trimethylene furan dicarboxylate) (PTF) being representative.

Abstract: An epoxy resin composition is provided which comprises an epoxy resin and a reactive diluent comprising one or more of the monoesters of epoxidized soy oil characterized by a ratio of mols of epoxide groups to mols of ester on the whole of at least 1.35:1. A thermoset plastic composition is also provided which comprises an epoxy resin composition as described, with an amine curing agent.

Abstract: Compositions comprising renewable source derived polymer oil polymerization macroinitiators and multiblock polymer compositions derived therefrom by atom transfer radical polymerization are disclosed. Hard, glossy multiblock copolymers, thermoset multiblock copolymers, thermoplastic block copolymer elastomers, and methods of making and using these types of materials are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising renewable source derived polymer oil polymerization macroinitiators and multiblock polymer compositions derived therefrom by atom transfer radical polymerization are disclosed. Hard, glossy multiblock copolymers, thermoset multiblock copolymers, thermoplastic block copolymer elastomers, and methods of making and using these types of materials are disclosed.

Abstract: Tin (II) glucarate is found to be effective alone and in combination with other tin compounds for catalyzing the reaction of carboxylic acids such as furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, terephthalic acid and adipic acid with alcohols such as the C1-C3 alcohols.

Abstract: Compositions comprising renewable source derived polymer oil polymerization macroinitiators and multiblock polymer compositions derived therefrom by atom transfer radical polymerization are disclosed. Hard, glossy multiblock copolymers, thermoset multiblock copolymers, thermoplastic block copolymer elastomers, and methods of making and using these types of materials are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising renewable source derived polymer oil polymerization macroinitiators and multiblock polymer compositions derived therefrom by atom transfer radical polymerization are disclosed. Hard, glossy multiblock copolymers, thermoset multiblock copolymers, thermoplastic block copolymer elastomers, and methods of making and using these types of materials are disclosed.

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: 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: Compositions comprising renewable source derived polymer oil polymerization macroinitiators and multiblock polymer compositions derived therefrom by atom transfer radical polymerization are disclosed. Hard, glossy multiblock copolymers, thermoset multiblock copolymers, thermoplastic block copolymer elastomers, and methods of making and using these types of materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing cyclic dehydration products from sugar alcohols is described. The process involve using a mixed-acid catalyst reaction mixture containing a reducing acid, having a pKa of about 1.0-1.5, and at least a strong Brønsted acid or a Lewis acid, having a pKa?0, or both acids in a solution to dehydrate and ring close said sugar alcohol. Synergistically, the mixed-acid catalysis can produce greater amounts of the desired product at similar levels of compositional accountability than either of the component acid catalysts acting alone.

Abstract: A method for preparing esters from isohexide compounds, and a means by which color bodies that may be made in situ during esterification of isohexide compounds are either prevented from forming or their amounts are minimized in the resultant product mixture are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making HMF or a derivative of HMF by dehydrating one or more hexose sugars in a reduced oxygen environment. In another, related aspect, a method for improving the stability and resistance to degradation of an HMF product involves adding one or more antioxidants to the HMF product.

Abstract: Reduced color epoxidized fatty acid esters are provided which may be used as primary plasticizers for PVC, in replacement of phthalate plasticizers. The reduced color epoxidized fatty acid esters are prepared from natural fats or oils by transesterification and interesterification processes, whereby through the use of borohydride, materials having Pt—Co colors according to ASTM D1209 on the order of 50 and lower are possible.

Abstract: A process is described for the acid-catalyzed dehydration of a sugar alcohol, wherein the catalyst comprises a water-tolerant Lewis acid. In particular embodiments, the catalyst comprises a homogeneous water-tolerant Lewis acid, especially a homogeneous Lewis acid selected from the group consisting of bismuth (III) triflate, gallium (III) triflate, scandium (III) triflate, aluminum triflate, tin (II) triflate and indium (III) triflate. Such catalysts are effective for dehydrating both of sorbitol and the 1,4-sorbitan dehydration precursor of isosorbide, and bismuth (III) triflate particularly is beneficial for dehydrating mannitol to isomannide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making HMF or a derivative of HMF by dehydrating one or more hexose sugars in a reduced oxygen environment. In another, related aspect, a method for improving the stability and resistance to degradation of an HMF product involves adding one or more antioxidants to the HMF product.

Abstract: A process for preparing cyclic dehydration products from sugar alcohols is described. The process involve using a mixed-acid catalyst reaction mixture containing a reducing acid, having a pKa of about 1.0-1.5, and at least a strong Brønsted acid or a Lewis acid, having a pKa?0, or both acids in a solution to dehydrate and ring close said sugar alcohol. Synergistically, the mixed-acid catalysis can produce greater amounts of the desired product at similar levels of compositional accountability than either of the component acid catalysts acting alone.

Abstract: A method for preparing esters from isohexide compounds, and a means by which color bodies that may be made in situ during esterification of isohexide compounds are either prevented from forming or their amounts are minimized in the resultant product mixture are described.

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 Brønsted acid (e.g., phosphonic acid) for the catalysis of sugar alcohols to their corresponding dehydrated-cyclized products.