Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a process for forming a metal alloy catalyst. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a process for oxidizing a substrate that includes contacting a substrate with an oxidant in the presence of a metal alloy catalyst to form one or more carboxylic acids. Suitable substrates include sugars, polyols, furfural alcohols, and polyhydroxycarboxylic acids. The oxidation process may use the alloy catalyst formed from the process of the first aspect of the invention.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a process for forming a metal alloy catalyst. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a process for oxidizing a substrate that includes contacting a substrate with an oxidant in the presence of a metal alloy catalyst to form one or more carboxylic acids. Suitable substrates include sugars, polyols, furfural alcohols, and polyhydroxycarboxylic acids. The oxidation process may use the alloy catalyst formed from the process of the first aspect of the invention.

Abstract: Provided is a process for depolymerizing lignin, the process comprising exposing a liquid feed comprising lignin and a solvent to a metal-incorporated solid mesoporous silicate catalyst under conditions sufficient to depolymerize the lignin to produce one or more aromatic monomers.

Abstract: Provided is a process for depolymerizing lignin, the process comprising exposing a liquid feed comprising lignin and a solvent to a metal-incorporated solid mesoporous silicate catalyst under conditions sufficient to depolymerize the lignin to produce one or more aromatic monomers.

Abstract: A process for producing lactic acid from glycerol using a reaction mixture comprising glycerol, a dehydrogenation catalyst (preferably a copper-based catalyst), an alkaline component, and water.

Abstract: Allyl alcohol, particularly from biobased sources such as glycerol, is hydroformylated to products including 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-methylpropionaldehyde by forming a homogeneous reaction mixture including allyl alcohol, a rhodium-based hydroformylation catalyst and a near critical liquefiable petroleum gas or mixture of such gases, reacting the near critical liquefiable petroleum gas (or gas mixture)-expanded allyl alcohol substrate with carbon monoxide and with hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst, and recovering substantially all of the petroleum gas or gases overhead by reducing the pressure and degassing the product mixture. Dense propane is especially useful as a single inert solvent/diluent, and substantially no other solvent/diluent is needed.

Abstract: Allyl alcohol, particularly from biobased sources such as glycerol, is hydroformylated to products including 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-methylpropionaldehyde by forming a homogeneous reaction mixture including allyl alcohol, a rhodium-based hydroformylation catalyst and a near critical liquefiable petroleum gas or mixture of such gases, reacting the near critical liquefiable petroleum gas (or gas mixture)-expanded allyl alcohol substrate with carbon monoxide and with hydrogen in the presence of the catalyst, and recovering substantially all of the petroleum gas or gases overhead by reducing the pressure and degassing the product mixture. Dense propane is especially useful as a single inert solvent/diluent, and substantially no other solvent/diluent is needed.

Abstract: A catalyst composition/system can include: a platinum catalyst metal (Pt) and/or rhenium catalyst metal (Re) on a first support; and a ruthenium catalyst metal (Ru) and/or rhenium catalyst metal (Re) on a second support or a platinum catalyst metal (Pt) and a ruthenium catalyst metal (Ru) and/or a rhenium catalyst metal (Re) on the same support. The Pt:Ru, Re:Pt and/or Re:Ru weight ratio can be between about 1:4 and about 4:1. The support can be alumina, carbon, silica, a zeolite, TiO2, ZrO2 or another suitable material. The first and second support can be on the same support structure or on different support structures. In one option, the first and second supports can be positioned such that the Pt and/or Re are capable of catalyzing a dehydrogenation and/or reforming reaction that produces hydrogen and the Ru and/or Re are capable of catalyzing a hydrogenolysis reaction.

Abstract: A process for producing lactic acid from glycerol using a reaction mixture comprising glycerol, a dehydrogenation catalyst (preferably a copper-based catalyst), an alkaline component, and water.

Abstract: A catalyst composition can include: a support; a ruthenium catalyst (Ru) nanoparticle; and a linker linking the Ru nanoparticle to the support, wherein the linker is stable under hydrogenolysis conditions. In one aspect, the linker can include 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTS) or derivatives thereof, such as those with amine functionality. In another aspect, the linker can include phosphotungstic acid (PTA) or other similar solid acid agents. In another aspect, the support can be selected from alumina, carbon, silica, a zeolite, TiO2, ZrO2, or another suitable material. A specific example of a support includes zeolite, such as a NaY zeolite. The Ru nanoparticle can have a size range from about 1 nm to about 25 nm, and can be obtained by reduction of Ru salts.

Abstract: A process for the complete deoxygenation of an oxygenate, especially those from bio-oils comprises forming a reaction mixture comprising the oxygenate, molecular hydrogen, and a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst in a solvent. The reaction mixture is maintained at a temperature that is 0.7 to 1.3 times the solvent critical temperature in absolute temperature units (K). Complete deoxygenation occurs via a hydrodeoxygenation pathway and a decarbonylation pathway.

Abstract: A catalyst composition/system can include: a platinum catalyst metal (Pt) and/or rhenium catalyst metal (Re) on a first support; and a ruthenium catalyst metal (Ru) and/or rhenium catalyst metal (Re) on a second support or a platinum catalyst metal (Pt) and a ruthenium catalyst metal (Ru) and/or a rhenium catalyst metal (Re) on the same support. The Pt:Ru, Re:Pt and/or Re:Ru weight ratio can be between about 1:4 and about 4:1. The support can be alumina, carbon, silica, a zeolite, TiO2, ZrO2 or another suitable material. The first and second support can be on the same support structure or on different support structures. In one option, the first and second supports can be positioned such that the Pt and/or Re are capable of catalyzing a dehydrogenation and/or reforming reaction that produces hydrogen and the Ru and/or Re are capable of catalyzing a hydrogenolysis reaction.

Abstract: A catalyst composition can include: a support; a ruthenium catalyst (Ru) nanoparticle; and a linker linking the Ru nanoparticle to the support, wherein the linker is stable under hydrogenolysis conditions. In one aspect, the linker can include 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTS) or derivatives thereof, such as those with amine functionality. In another aspect, the linker can include phosphotungstic acid (PTA) or other similar solid acid agents. In another aspect, the support can be selected from alumina, carbon, silica, a zeolite, TiO2, ZrO2, or another suitable material. A specific example of a support includes zeolite, such as a NaY zeolite. The Ru nanoparticle can have a size range from about 1 nm to about 25 nm, and can be obtained by reduction of Ru salts.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for the synthesis of ?-substituted acroleins from olefins by a tandem hydroformylation and Mannich reaction sequence in the presence of syngas and formaldehyde, wherein the two catalysts are segregated into two different phases thereby preventing deactivation of the catalysts by each other, and yielding a highly selective and active catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a carboxylic acid by carbonylating the corresponding alcohol in carbon monoxide atmosphere and in the presence of water, a solvent, a palladium catalyst and a promoter system consisting of an organic or inorganic halide and an organic sulphonic acid, at a temperature in the range of 50-250° C., at a pressure in the range of 50-2000 psig for 1 to 10 hours, the concentration of the catalyst being one mole of catalyst per every 50-50000 moles of the alcohol, the amount of the organic or inorganic halide being in the range of 5-500 moles per mole of the catalyst, and the amount of the organic sulphonic acid being in the range of 5-500 moles per mole of the catalyst, collecting the resulting product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an process for the preparation of ibuprofen, which comprises reacting para isobutyl phenylethanol (p-IBPE), a halide source, a protonic acid, water and the catalyst which is a compound having formula 1 which is shown herebelow: ##STR1## Wherein M = a group VIII metal specifically palladium or platinum,R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 = substituents on the phosphine ligand such as hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl cycloaliphatic,X = groups such as aryl or alkyl sulphonato or aryl or alkyl carboxylato ort formato or halides such as CI.sup.-, Br.sup.-, I.sup.-, ##STR2## = a semilabile anionic chelating ligand containing a donor and an O.sup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel group VIII transition metal complexes represented by the formula (I) as: ##STR1## wherein M is the central transition metal; represents a semilabile anionic chelating ligand; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 & R.sub.3 are substituents on the phosphine ligand, X is chosen from sulphonato, carboxylato, formato group or halides and 1<n<10. The invention also provides a process for the preparation of said transition metal complex.

Abstract: The invention relates to an efficient process for the preparation of methyl methyl carbamate by reacting methyl amine or N,N'-dimethyl urea with carbon monoxide, an oxidizing agent and a monoalcohol in the presence of a catalyst system including(i) a precursor selected from the group consisting of platinum group metals and soluble compounds of platinum group metals, and (ii) a promoter comprising at least one halogen containing compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal halides, alkaline earth metal halides, quaternary ammonium halides, oxo acids of halogen atoms and their salts, and complex compounds containing halogen ions, organic halides and halogen molecules.

Abstract: A process is effected using water soluble metal complex catalysts in the presence of a promoter in the organic (water immiscible) phase. The process results in the enhancement of the rate of hydroformylation by interfacial catalysis induced by the presence of a ligand (promoter) in a catalyst immiscible phase. The reaction comprises of two phases viz - organic phase and aqueous phase. The organic phase consists of an olefin and P- containing water insoluble ligand with or without water immiscible solvent. The aqueous phase consists of a metal complex catalyst comprising of group VIII element such as Rh, Ru, Ir or Co and a water soluble ligand.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of an improved nickel-containing catalyst suitable for the conversion of alcohols to the corresponding carboxylic acid which involves combining a nickel compound, an N-containing organic compound and an iodine promoter, bringing the combination in contact with an alcohol in the presence of carbon monoxide and subjecting the mixture to a temperature and pressure sufficient to initiate carbonylation of the alcohol. The process is characterized in that the N-containing organic compound is isoquinoline or a derivative thereof.