Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the ring-opening of a cycloadduct obtainable from a reaction of a furanic compound and a diene, said process comprising contacting the cycloadduct with an acidic mixture comprising sulfuric acid and an activating agent to obtain a ring-opened product. The present invention is particularly directed a continuous process.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing maleic acid or a derivative thereof, the process comprising a step b) of oxidizing 5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone and/or cis-?-formylacrylic acid to maleic acid or a derivative thereof by contacting the 5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone and/or cis-?-formylacrylic acid with molecular oxygen (O2) in the presence of a catalyst. In a particular embodiment, the step b) is preceded by a step a) of oxidizing a furanic compound according to formula I into the 5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone and/or cis-?-formylacrylic acid, wherein R1 is H, CH2OH, CO2H or CHO and R2 is H, OH, C1-C6 alkyl or O(C1-C6 alkyl), or esters, ethers, amides, acid halides, anhydrides, carboximidates, nitriles, and salts of formula I.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the continuous preparation of a cycloadduct product from the reaction of a furanic with a dienophile, comprising heating a first liquid feed stream comprising the dienophile and a solvent in which the dienophile is dissolved; providing a second liquid feed stream comprising the furanic; leading the first liquid feed stream and the second liquid feed stream into a continuous reactor to produce a product solution stream comprising the cycloadduct product; and leading the product solution stream to an product isolation zone to produce an isolated cycloadduct product. A further aspect of the invention is an apparatus for carrying out this reaction.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an aromatic product is disclosed which includes a step b) of contacting one or more intermediate compounds with a further acid to form the aromatic product. The intermediate compounds can be obtained in step a) that includes contacting a 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene core structure with an acidic mixture. The amount of acid in step b) is higher than the amount of acid in step a).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the preparation of phthalic anhydride compounds and the intermediate phthalide compounds. In particular, the invention is directed to an improved bio-based route from furanic compounds to phthalic anhydride compounds by reacting furfuryl alcohol (i.e. 2-hydroxymethylfuran) or an analogue thereof having a nucleophilic atom on the 2-methyl, with a dienophile comprising an ?,?-unsaturated carbonyl comprising an ??-leaving group. The inventions further involved preparation of phthalic anhydride compounds, phthalic acid compounds and reduction products of the intermediate phthalide compounds.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing maleic acid or a derivative thereof, said process comprising a step b) of oxidizing 5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone and/or cis-?-formylacrylic acid to maleic acid or a derivative thereof by contacting 5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone and/or cis-?-formylacrylic acid with molecular oxygen (O2) in the presence of a catalyst. In a particular embodiment, step b) is preceded by a step a) of oxidizing a furanic compound according to formula I into 5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone and/or cis-?-formylacrylic acid, wherein R1 is H, CH2OH, CO2H or CHO and R2 is H, OH, C1-C6 alkyl or O(C1-C6 alkyl), or esters, ethers, amides, acid halides, anhydrides, carboximidates, nitriles, and salts thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of maleic acid or a derivative thereof. Said process comprising an electrochemical oxidation of a furoic acid compound into maleic acid in an electrolyte solution; and optionally further comprising a step of reacting the maleic acid to the derivative thereof. In an alternative embodiment, said process comprising a first step comprising an electrochemical oxidation in an electrolyte solution of a furanic compound into one or more intermediates; followed by a second step comprising a chemo-catalytic oxidation of said intermediates to provide maleic acid or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: Processes and reactor systems for biomass conversion are described. A continuous process for the conversion of carbohydrate-containing feed material into furanic compounds comprises a reaction step comprising subjecting said feed material to reaction conditions in a reaction medium comprising two immiscible liquid phases, including a reactive phase and an extractive phase, and a Brønsted acid as catalyst, wherein the reaction medium comprises a solid component comprising at least a part of a carbohydrate-containing fraction of said feed material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the preparation of phthalic anhydride compounds and the intermediate phthalide compounds. In particular, the invention is directed to an improved bio-based route from furanic compounds to phthalic anhydride compounds by reacting furfuryl alcohol (i.e. 2-hydroxymethylfuran) or an analogue thereof having a nucleophilic atom on the 2-methyl, with a dienophile comprising an ?,?-unsaturated carbonyl comprising an ??-leaving group. The inventions further involved preparation of phthalic anhydride compounds, phthalic acid compounds and reduction products of the intermediate phthalide compounds.

Abstract: Processes and reactor systems for biomass conversion are described. A continuous process for the conversion of carbo-hydrate-containing feed material into furanic compounds comprises a reaction step comprising subjecting said feed material to reaction conditions in a reaction medium comprising two immiscible liquid phases, including a reactive phase and an extractive phase, and a Brønsted acid as catalyst, wherein the reaction medium comprises a solid component comprising at least a part of a carbohydrate-containing fraction of said feed material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the ring-opening of a cycloadduct obtainable from a reaction of a furanic compound and a diene, said process comprising contacting the cycloadduct with an acidic mixture comprising sulfuric acid and an activating agent to obtain a ring-opened product. The present invention is particularly directed a continuous process.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the continuous preparation of a cycloadduct product from the reaction of a furanic with a dienophile, comprising heating a first liquid feed stream comprising the dienophile and a solvent in which the dienophile is dissolved; providing a second liquid feed stream comprising the furanic; leading the first liquid feed stream and the second liquid feed stream into a continuous reactor to produce a product solution stream comprising the cycloadduct product; and leading the product solution stream to an product isolation zone to produce an isolated cycloadduct product. A further aspect of the invention is an apparatus for carrying out this reaction.

Abstract: Processes and reactor systems for biomass conversion are described. A continuous process for the conversion of carbo-hydrate-containing feed material into furanic compounds comprises a reaction step comprising subjecting said feed material to reaction conditions in a reaction medium comprising two immiscible liquid phases, including a reactive phase and an extractive phase, and a Brønsted acid as catalyst, wherein the reaction medium comprises a solid component comprising at least a part of a carbohydrate-containing fraction of said feed material.