Abstract: The present invention relates to a process to manufacture lignin-based polyols (LBP) by ring opening polymerization (ROP) of oxiranes in the presence of lignin and in an organic solvent or mixture thereof using acidic catalysts. The LBP are suitable to manufacture polyurethanes, polycarbonates and polyesters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for continuous production of 2,3-butanediol by hydrogenation of 3-hydroxybutanone with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst filled in one or more fixed-bed flow tubular reactor systems comprising one or more tubes with an inner diameter from 1 mm to 6 mm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process to manufacture lignin-based polyols (LBP) by ring opening polymerization (ROP) of oxiranes in the presence of lignin and in an organic solvent or mixture thereof using acidic catalysts. The LBP are suitable to manufacture polyurethanes, polycarbonates and polyesters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified strain of the bacterium Lactococcus lactis obtainable by a method that comprises a step of fusion of two protoplasts from two Lactococcus lactis parental strains which, compared to the wild type strain of Lactococcus lactis from which they derive, show: (a) an increased ability to produce acetoin and/or 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO), and (b) a decreased ability to produce lactic acid, when cultured under aerobic conditions, and wherein the modified strain of Lactococcus lactis has an increased ability to produce 2,3-BDO of at least 20 times the amount produced by the wild type strain, an increased ability to produce acetoin of at least 20 times the amount produced by the wild type strain and a decreased ability to produce lactic acid of at least 10 times the amount produced by the wild type strain, when cultured under aerobic conditions. Also provided are methods to produce acetoin and 2,3-BDO.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for continuous production of 2,3-butanediol by hydrogenation of 3-hydroxybutanone with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst filled in one or more fixed-bed flow tubular reactor systems comprising one or more tubes with an inner diameter from 1 mm to 6 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining glycidol in a semi-continuous or continuous manner by decarboxylating glycerol carbonate at reduced pressure, at a temperature less than or equal to 130° C. and in the presence of alkoxide catalysts of alkaline metals and alkaline earth metals, metal oxides, mixed metal oxides, metal stannates and mixed metal stannates, all of which optionally supported via SiO2, ?-Al2O3, MgO and ZrO2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified strain of the bacterium Lactococcus lactis obtainable by a method that comprises a step of fusion of two protoplasts from two Lactococcus lactis parental strains which, compared to the wild type strain of Lactococcus lactis from which they derive, show: (a) an increased ability to produce acetoin and/or 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO), and (b) a decreased ability to produce lactic acid, when cultured under aerobic conditions, and wherein the modified strain of Lactococcus lactis has an increased ability to produce 2,3-BDO of at least 20 times the amount produced by the wild type strain, an increased ability to produce acetoin of at least 20 times the amount produced by the wild type strain and a decreased ability to produce lactic acid of at least 10 times the amount produced by the wild type strain, when cultured under aerobic conditions. Also provided are methods to produce acetoin and 2,3-BDO.

Abstract: It is provided a process for the preparation of methyl ethyl ketone by electroreduction of acetoin in aqueous media using a high hydrogen overvoltage cathode made of lead, the process comprising the steps of a) forming a solution by mixing acetoin with an aqueous medium and a supporting electrolyte soluble in such a medium, and b) electrolyzing said solution continuously or discontinuously in an electrochemical reactor by applying a voltage between an anode and the cathode using a direct current power supply at a current density from 500 to 5000 A/m2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining glycidol in a semi-continuous or continuous manner by decarboxylating glycerol carbonate at reduced pressure, at a temperature less than or equal to 130° C. and in the presence of alkoxide catalysts of alkaline metals and alkaline earth metals, metal oxides, mixed metal oxides, metal stannates and mixed metal stannates, all of which optionally supported via SiO2, ?-Al2O3, MgO and ZrO2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing 2,3-butanediol by hydrogenation of acetoin using a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst and under conditions leading to a selectivity higher than 90%. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of no solvent or in the presence of a solvent like water or 2,3-butanediol.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for manufacturing 2,3-butanediol by electroreduction of 3-hydroxybutan-one in an aqueous media.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing 2,3-butanediol by hydrogenation of acetoin using a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst and under conditions leading to a selectivity higher than 90%. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of no solvent or in the presence of a solvent like water or 2,3-butanediol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacturing of pure and substantially oligomers-free 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol di(alkyl carbonate)s which comprises the steps of: a) Preparing a reaction mixture consisting of at least one dianhydrohexitol, at least 2 molar equivalents with respect to the amount of dianhydrohexitol present, of at least one dialkyl carbonate of formula R—O—C(?O)—O—R, where R has the same meaning indicated above, and from 0.01 to less than 0.1 molar equivalents of a transesterification catalyst with respect to the amount of dianhydrohexitol present; and b) Heating the reaction mixture up to its reflux temperature in a reactor preferably equipped with a rectification column comprising a number of theoretical distillation plates sufficient to separate continuously from the reaction mixture by fractional distillation the alcohol obtained or the azeotrope which the alcohol forms with the dialkyl carbonate present in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacturing of pure and substantially oligomers-free 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitol di(alkyl carbonate)s which comprises the steps of: a) Preparing a reaction mixture consisting of at least one dianhydrohexitol, at least 2 molar equivalents with respect to the amount of dianhydrohexitol present, of at least one dialkyl carbonate of formula R—O—C(?O)—O—R, where R has the same meaning indicated above, and from 0.01 to less than 0.1 molar equivalents of a transesterification catalyst with respect to the amount of dianhydrohexitol present; and b) Heating the reaction mixture up to its reflux temperature in a reactor preferably equipped with a rectification column comprising a number of theoretical distillation plates sufficient to separate continuously from the reaction mixture by fractional distillation the alcohol obtained or the azeotrope which the alcohol forms with the dialkyl carbonate present in the reaction mixture.