Abstract: A method to make sorbate salts from triacetic acid lactone. The method includes the steps of hydrogenating triacetic acid lactone to yield 4-hydroxy-6-methyl 2H-pyran-2-one; dehydrating 4-hydroxy-6-methyl 2H-pyran-2-one into parasorbic acid; and ring-opening and hydrolyzing PSA with a base to form a sorbate salt.

Abstract: Organocatalysts can be engineered to mimic biological enzymes for use in a variety of industrially relevant chemical reactions. The organocatalyst comprises a chemical catalyst that is made by imidation of an amine-containing compound to form an N-substituted maleimide and appending the N-substituted maleimide on a furan-containing compound by Diels-Alder reaction and hydrogenation. The N-substituted maleimide may also be made by reacting a protected maleimide and compound containing a primary alkyl halide moiety. The organocatalysts are engineered to append chemical functionalities of amino acids such as glutamic acid for catalyzing hydrolysis of lactose. The organocatalyst further comprises a support to immobilize the chemical catalyst which plays the role of a scaffold to stabilize catalytic active sites and bind the reactants nearby the active sites, similar to a protein scaffold in biological catalysts.

Abstract: Described is a catalytic process for converting biomass to furan derivatives (e.g., furfural, furfuryl alcohol, etc.) using a biphasic reactor containing a reactive aqueous phase and an organic extracting phase containing an alkylphenol. The process provides a cost-effective route for producing furfural, furfuryl alcohol, levulinic acid hydroxymethylfurfural, ?-valerolactone, and the like. The products formed are useful as value-added intermediates to produce polymers, as precursors to diesel fuel, and as fuel additives.

Abstract: A method to produce levulinic acid (LA) and ?-valerolactone (GVL) from biomass-derived cellulose by selective extraction of LA by alkylphenol (AP) and hydrogenation of LA, in which mineral acid used in the method is recycled and the final concentration of GVL is increased by successive extraction/hydrogenation steps to allow for effective separation by distillation.

Abstract: A method to produce levulinic acid (LA) and ?-valerolactone (GVL) from biomass-derived cellulose by selective extraction of LA by alkylphenol (AP) and hydrogenation of LA, in which mineral acid used in the method is recycled and the final concentration of GVL is increased by successive extraction/hydrogenation steps to allow for effective separation by distillation.

Abstract: Described is a catalytic process for converting biomass to furan derivatives (e.g., furfural, furfuryl alcohol, etc.) using a biphasic reactor containing a reactive aqueous phase and an organic extracting phase containing an alkylphenol. The process provides a cost-effective route for producing furfural, furfuryl alcohol, levulinic acid hydroxymethylfurfural, ?-valerolactone, and the like. The products formed are useful as value-added intermediates to produce polymers, as precursors to diesel fuel, and as fuel additives.

Abstract: A catalytic process for converting biomass-derived carbohydrates to liquid alkanes, alkenes, and/or ethers is described. The process uses combinations of self- and crossed-aldol condensation reactions, dehydration reactions, and hydrogenation reactions, over specified metal-containing catalysts, to yield alkane, alkene, and ether products from carbohydrate reactants.

Abstract: Described is a catalytic process for converting sugars to furan derivatives (e.g. 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, dimethylfuran, etc.) using a biphasic reactor containing a reactive aqueous phase and an organic extracting phase. The process provides a cost-effective route for producing di-substituted furan derivatives. The furan derivatives are useful as value-added intermediates to produce polymers, as precursors to diesel fuel, and as fuel additives.

Abstract: Disclosed are a reactor and a corresponding method for producing electrical energy using a fuel cell by selectively oxidizing CO at room temperature using polyoxometalate compounds and transition metal compounds over metal-containing catalysts, thereby eliminating the water-gas shift reaction and the need to transport and vaporize liquid water in the production of H2 for fuel cells. The reactor also functions to deplete CO from an incoming gas stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing hydrogen from oxygenated hydrocarbon reactants, such as methanol, glycerol, sugars (e.g. glucose and xylose), or sugar alcohols (e.g. sorbitol). The method takes place in the condensed liquid phase. The method includes the steps of reacting water and a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst. The catalyst contains a metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIIIB transitional metals, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof. The disclosed method can be run at lower temperatures than those used in the conventional steam reforming of alkanes.