Abstract: Disclosed is the oxidation of uronic acids, such as galacturonic acid, to the corresponding aldaric acids, such as galactaric acid, under neutral or acidic conditions. Use is made of a supported gold catalyst. The oxidation occurs in good selectivity and yield, under unexpectedly mild conditions. A source of galacturonic acids is pectins, such as from sugar beet pulp.

Abstract: Semi-crystalline polyesters from isoidide and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid are disclosed, as well as semi-crystalline copolyesters from isoidide and a minor amount of either 1,4-butanediol or 2,3-butanediol with 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, together with processes for making high molecular weight materials by melt polymerization providing a semi-crystalline polymer then performing solid state condensation on the semi-crystalline polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is the oxidation of uronic acids, such as galacturonic acid, to the corresponding aldaric acids, such as galactaric acid, under neutral or acidic conditions. Use is made of a supported gold catalyst. The oxidation occurs in good selectivity and yield, under unexpectedly mild conditions. A source of galacturonic acids is pectins, such as from sugar beet pulp.

Abstract: Semi-crystalline polyesters from isoidide and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid are disclosed, as well as semi-crystalline copolyesters from isoidide and a minor amount of either 1,4-butanediol or 2,3-butanediol with 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, together with processes for making high molecular weight materials by melt polymerization providing a semi-crystalline polymer then performing solid state condensation on the semi-crystalline polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making methacrylic acid, or a carboxylic derivative thereof, from itaconic acid, isomers, or precursors thereof. A starting material comprising an acid selected from the group consisting of itaconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, citric acid, aconitic acid, isocitric acid and mixtures thereof, is subjected to contact with 0.1 eq. to 3.0 eq. of a base, at a temperature of 150° C. to 350° C., under the influence of a transition metal-containing heterogeneous catalyst. A better yield at lower temperatures is achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making methacrylic acid, or a carboxylic derivative thereof, from itaconic acid, isomers, or precursors thereof. A starting material comprising an acid selected from the group consisting of itaconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, citric acid, aconitic acid, isocitric acid and mixtures thereof, is subjected to contact with 0.1 eq. to 3.0 eq. of a base, at a temperature of 150° C. to 350° C., under the influence of a transition metal-containing heterogeneous catalyst. A better yield at lower temperatures is achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making 5-formyl-2-furoic acid and furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid. The method involves the use of 5-keto-aldonic acids as intermediates, as these can be subjected to ring formation by a cyclodehydration reaction under mild conditions. The 5-formyl-2-furoic acid or carboxylic derivative thereof is subjected to oxidation so as to form furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid. The 5-keto-aldonic acid intermediates can be obtained by isomerization of uronic acids which can be obtained from sugar beet pulp, chicory pulp, fruit peals including orange peels, or non-terrestrial sources like seaweeds. A preferred source is sugar beet pulp.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of isoidide from isosorbide. An aqueous solution of isosorbide is subjected to epimerization in the presence of hydrogen under the influence of a catalyst comprising ruthenium on a support, preferably a carbon support. The process of the invention can be conducted using a relatively low hydrogen pressure, and leads to a desired distribution of epimers, favoring isoidide over isomannide and isosorbide.

Abstract: A catalytic method is disclosed for the valorization of lignin. The method comprises subjecting lignin to a catalyzed hydrothermal conversion reaction, said reaction being conducted in the presence of water at an alkaline pH>8 and a temperature of 200° C.-300° C., under the influence of a noble metal catalyst comprising a carbon support. The same reaction can also be applied to subsequently defunctionalize one or more phenolic compounds, notably guaiacol, so as to produce six-membered cyclic hydrocarbons, such as phenol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making 5-formyl-2-furoic acid and furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid. The method involves the use of 5-keto-aldonic acids as intermediates, as these can be subjected to ring formation by a cyclodehydration reaction under mild conditions. The 5-formyl-2-furoic acid or carboxylic derivative thereof is subjected to oxidation so as to form furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid. The 5-keto-aldonic acid intermediates can be obtained by isomerization of uronic acids which can be obtained from sugar beet pulp, chicory pulp, fruit peals including orange peels, or non-terrestrial sources like seaweeds. A preferred source is sugar beet pulp.

Abstract: Disclosed is the oxidation of uronic acids, such as galacturonic acid, to the corresponding aldaric acids (characterized by the formula HOOC—(CHOH)n-COOH, with n being an integer of from 1 to 5) such as galactaric acids. The starting material comprising the uronic acid is subjected to oxygen under the influence of a supported gold catalyst and in the presence of a base. The oxidation occurs in good selectivity and yield, under unexpectedly mild conditions. A source of galacturonic acids is pectin, such as that derived from sugar beet pulp.

Abstract: Disclosed is the oxidation of uronic acids, such as galacturonic acid, to the corresponding aldaric acids (characterized by the formula HOOC—(CHOH)n-COOH, with n being an integer of from 1 to 5) such as galactaric acids. The starting material comprising the uronic acid is subjected to oxygen under the influence of a supported gold catalyst and in the presence of a base. The oxidation occurs in good selectivity and yield, under unexpectedly mild conditions. A source of galacturonic acids is pectin, such as that derived from sugar beet pulp.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of isoidide from isosorbide. An aqueous solution of isosorbide is subjected to epimerization in the presence of hydrogen under the influence of a catalyst comprising ruthenium on a support, preferably a carbon support. The process of the invention can be conducted using a relatively low hydrogen pressure, and leads to a desired distribution of epimers, favoring isoidide over isomannide and isosorbide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the combined synthesis of at least two vinylic monomers, at least one of which being an acrylic compound, comprising subjecting a monoconjugated alkene-1-carboxylic compound to reaction with a C2-C4 alkene under conditions of olefin cross-metathesis. The invention is particularly useful for extracting value from protein side streams. Upon protein hydrolysis, suitable amino acids (preferably phenylalanine or tyrosine) are subjected to reductive amination so as to form the corresponding alkene-1-carboxylic acid. Preferably after esterification and separation, this is used in cross-metathesis for the concomitant production of styrene resp. hydroxy styrene, and acrylates. The invention is applicable more widely, to the synthesis of olefins on the basis of carbohydrates, naturally occurring phenolic components, natural protein resources, or amino acids obtained from fermentations.

Abstract: Condensation products having adhesive properties are obtained by reaction of a polyamine with at least two equivalents of an oligosaccharide or a derivative thereof. Examples of the oligosaccharide include glucose, lactose, lactobionic acid and gluconic acid. Examples of the polyamine include diethylene triamine and triethylene tetraamine. The reaction may be a direct amination of the oligosaccharide, with the formation of a glycosylamine and optional N-acylation, or a reductive amination of the oligosaccharide, a glycitylamine being obtained, or alternatively an amidation of an glyconic acid. The condensation products can be used for gluing, for example, paper, cardboard, wood, plastic or glass at low or high temperature.