Abstract: Methods and phosphorus-containing solid catalysts for catalyzing dehydration of cyclic ethers (e.g., furans, such as 2,5-dimethylfuran) and alcohols (e.g., ethanol and isopropanol). The alcohols and cyclic ethers may be derived from biomass. One example includes a tandem Diels-Alder cycloaddition and dehydration of biomass-derived 2,5-dimethyl-furan and ethylene to renewable p-xylene. The phosphorus-containing solid catalysts are also active and selective for dehydration of alcohols to alkenes.

Abstract: A heterogeneous catalysis method for catalyzing the conversion of a first chemical species to a second chemical species includes varying a binding energy of the first chemical species, the second chemical species, or both over time and in the presence of a catalyst. Systems configured to catalyze the conversion of the first chemical species to the second chemical species by varying a binding energy of the first chemical species, the second chemical species, or both over time and in the presence of a catalyst include a sound wave generator, a pressure generator, a piezoelectric material, or a back gate device configured to facilitate the varying of the binding energy of the first chemical species, the second chemical species, or both.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the Formula 1 wherein A is an aromatic moiety; H is a hydrophobic group comprising a main alkyl chain having from about 3 to about 26 carbon atoms and comprising a C2 or greater alkyl chain branched from the main alkyl chain; and K is a hydrophilic group.

Abstract: Synthesizing an alkyl-caprolactone includes hydrogenating an alkyl-phenol to yield a first mixture comprising an alkyl-cyclohexanone and an alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-cyclohexanone from the first mixture to yield a first portion of a purified alkyl-cyclohexanone; oxidizing the first portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone to yield a second mixture comprising an alkyl-caprolactone, the alkyl-cyclohexanone, and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-caprolactone from the second mixture to yield a third mixture comprising the alkyl-cyclohexanone and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; combining the third mixture and the first mixture in to yield a fourth mixture; separating the alkyl-cyclohexanone from the fourth mixture to yield a second portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone; oxidizing the second portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone to yield a fifth mixture comprising the alkyl-caprolactone, the alkyl-cyclohexanone, and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-caprolactone from the

Abstract: Forming a diene includes contacting a reactant including at least one of a cyclic ether and a diol with a heterogeneous acid catalyst to yield a reaction mixture including a diene. The heterogeneous acid catalyst includes at least one of a Lewis acid catalyst, a supported Lewis-acid catalyst, a Brnsted acid catalyst, a solid acid catalyst, a supported phosphoric acid catalyst, and a sulfonated catalyst. The dehydration of cyclic ethers and diols with high selectivity to yield dienes completes pathways for the production of dienes, such as isoprene and butadiene, from biomass in high yields, thereby promoting economical production of dienes from renewable resources.

Abstract: Methods that include acylating an aromatic containing compound by reacting the aromatic containing compound with an anhydride containing compound to form an acylated aromatic containing compound.

Abstract: Synthesizing an alkyl-caprolactone includes hydrogenating an alkyl-phenol to yield a first mixture comprising an alkyl-cyclohexanone and an alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-cyclohexanone from the first mixture to yield a first portion of a purified alkyl-cyclohexanone; oxidizing the first portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone to yield a second mixture comprising an alkyl-caprolactone, the alkyl-cyclohexanone, and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-caprolactone from the second mixture to yield a third mixture comprising the alkyl-cyclohexanone and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; combining the third mixture and the first mixture in to yield a fourth mixture; separating the alkyl-cyclohexanone from the fourth mixture to yield a second portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone; oxidizing the second portion of the purified alkyl-cyclohexanone to yield a fifth mixture comprising the alkyl-caprolactone, the alkyl-cyclohexanone, and the alkyl-cyclohexanol; separating the alkyl-caprolactone from the

Abstract: Methods and phosphorus-containing solid catalysts for catalyzing dehydration of cyclic ethers (e.g., furans, such as 2,5-dimethylfuran) and alcohols (e.g., ethanol and isopropanol). The alcohols and cyclic ethers may be derived from biomass. One example includes a tandem Diels-Alder cycloaddition and dehydration of biomass-derived 2,5-dimethyl-furan and ethylene to renewable p-xylene. The phosphorus-containing solid catalysts are also active and selective for dehydration of alcohols to alkenes.

Abstract: Forming a diene includes contacting a reactant including at least one of a cyclic ether and a diol with a heterogeneous acid catalyst to yield a reaction mixture including a diene. The heterogeneous acid catalyst includes at least one of a Lewis acid catalyst, a supported Lewis-acid catalyst, a Brnsted acid catalyst, a solid acid catalyst, a supported phosphoric acid catalyst, and a sulfonated catalyst. The dehydration of cyclic ethers and diols with high selectivity to yield dienes completes pathways for the production of dienes, such as isoprene and butadiene, from biomass in high yields, thereby promoting economical production of dienes from renewable resources.

Abstract: Methods of forming a C4 to C7 diol compound, the methods including a first step of reacting a C4 to C7 dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H2) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a C4 to C7 lactone; and a subsequent step of reacting the lactone with hydrogen (H2) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature. Also disclosed are methods of forming a solvent, the methods including reacting a C4 to C7 dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H2) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a solvent. Further disclosed herein are methods that include reacting mevalonolactone with hydrogen (H2) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure to form a diol compound.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the Formula 1 wherein A is an aromatic moiety; H is a hydrophobic group comprising a main alkyl chain having from about 3 to about 26 carbon atoms and comprising a C2 or greater alkyl chain branched from the main alkyl chain; and K is a hydrophilic group.

Abstract: Methods that include acylating an aromatic containing compound by reacting the aromatic containing compound with an anhydride containing compound to form an acylated aromatic containing compound.

Abstract: Methods of forming a C4 to C7 diol compound, the methods including a first step of reacting a C4 to C7 dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H2) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a C4 to C7 lactone; and a subsequent step of reacting the lactone with hydrogen (H2) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature. Also disclosed are methods of forming a solvent, the methods including reacting a C4 to C7 dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H2) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a solvent. Further disclosed herein are methods that include reacting mevalonolactone with hydrogen (H2) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure to form a diol compound.

Abstract: A method comprising contacting a carbon and hydrogen-containing solid fuel and a metal-based catalyst in the presence of oxygen to produce hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas, wherein the contacting occurs at a temperature sufficiently high to prevent char formation in an amount capable of stopping production of the hydrogen gas and the carbon monoxide gas is provided. In one embodiment, the metal-based catalyst comprises a rhodium-cerium catalyst. Embodiments further include a system for producing syngas. The systems and methods described herein provide shorter residence time and high selectivity for hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Methods and reactors for producing a fuel are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method uses a biomass feedstock and alkane and/or alcohol feedstock, which can be contacted with a metal-containing catalyst to form products including a bio-oil. In some embodiments, oxygen-containing functional groups can be removed from a bio-oil using one or more zeolite thin films.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the production of synthesis gas. More particularly, various embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for volatilizing fluid fuel to produce synthesis gas by using a metal catalyst on a solid support matrix.

Abstract: Methods and reactors for producing a fuel are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method uses a biomass feedstock and alkane and/or alcohol feedstock, which can be contacted with a metal-containing catalyst to form products including a bio-oil. In some embodiments, oxygen-containing functional groups can be removed from a bio-oil using one or more zeolite thin films.

Abstract: A method comprising contacting a carbon and hydrogen-containing solid fuel and a metal-based catalyst in the presence of oxygen to produce hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas, wherein the contacting occurs at a temperature sufficiently high to prevent char formation in an amount capable of stopping production of the hydrogen gas and the carbon monoxide gas is provided. In one embodiment, the metal-based catalyst comprises a rhodium-cerium catalyst. Embodiments further include a system for producing syngas. The systems and methods described herein provide shorter residence time and high selectivity for hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the production of synthesis gas. More particularly, various embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for volatilizing fluid fuel to produce synthesis gas by using a metal catalyst on a solid support matrix.