Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of THF and 1,4-BDO from furan in the presence of a catalytic composition, wherein the catalytic composition contains at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Jr, Ni, Pd, Pt and, optionally, contains one or more additional metal on a solid support, and wherein said process comprises the steps of: i) contacting furan with hydrogen and water in a reactor in the presence of said catalytic composition for a time; ii) stopping the flow of furan and the flow of water to the reactor and removing furan and water from the reactor; iii) subjecting the catalytic composition to a gas stream comprising hydrogen at a temperature of from 200 to 600° C. in the absence of the furan and water; iv) re-starting the flow of furan and the flow of water to the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the molar ratio of tetrahydrofuran to 1,4-butanediol in a process for the production of 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran, said process comprising contacting furan with hydrogen and water in a reactor vessel at an initial partial pressure of hydrogen, and in the presence of a catalytic composition comprising at least one metal on a solid support, wherein the at least one metal is selected from cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, palladium and platinum and wherein the molar ratio of tetrahydrofuran to 1,4-butanediol is increased by increasing the partial pressure of hydrogen in the reactor vessel above the initial partial pressure of hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of THF and 1,4-BDO from furan in the presence of a catalytic composition, wherein the catalytic composition contains at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Jr, Ni, Pd, Pt and, optionally, contains one or more additional metal on a solid support, and wherein said process comprises the steps of: i) contacting furan with hydrogen and water in a reactor in the presence of said catalytic composition for a time; ii) stopping the flow of furan and the flow of water to the reactor and removing furan and water from the reactor; iii) subjecting the catalytic composition to a gas stream comprising hydrogen at a temperature of from 200 to 600° C. in the absence of the furan and water; iv) re-starting the flow of furan and the flow of water to the reactor.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ester of formula (I): R3CH2—(CR1R2)n—CH2—O—CO—(CR1R2)n—CH2R3??(I) wherein n is 1-3 and R1 and R2 are each, independently, a hydrogen atom or a carbon-linked organic group and R3 is a carbon-linked organic group, is provided by hydrogenation of a certain lactone, carboxylic acid or its ester reactant.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hydroxyacid or hydroxyester from a reactant selected from (a) a carboxylic acid having an aldehyde or keto group; and (b) an ester of a carboxylic acid having an aldehyde or keto group; by contacting the reactant with a metal catalyst in the presence of hydrogen, wherein the metal catalyst is supported on a titanium dioxide or zirconium dioxide support.

Abstract: A gasoline composition containing in the range of from 0.1 to 30 wt % alkylfurfuryl ether with an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is provided. The gasoline composition is prepared by blending the alkylfurfuryl ether in a gasoline base fuel. The alkylfurfuryl ether is prepared by reacting an alkyl alcohol having in the range of 1 to 4 carbon atoms is reacted with furfuryl alcohol by contacting a liquid phase comprising the alkyl alcohol and furfuryl alcohol with an acidic zeolite catalyst at a temperature in the range of from 50 to 200° C.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ester of formula (I): R3CH2—(CR1R2)n—CH2—O—CO—(CR1R2)n—CH2R3 ??(I) wherein n is 1-3 and R1 and R2 are each, independently, a hydrogen atom or a carbon-linked organic group and R3 is a carbon-linked organic group, is provided by hydrogenation of a certain lactone, carboxylic acid or its ester reactant.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hydroxyacid or hydroxyester from a reactant selected from (a) a carboxylic acid having an aldehyde or keto group; and (b) an ester of a carboxylic acid having an aldehyde or keto group; by contacting the reactant with a metal catalyst in the presence of hydrogen, wherein the metal catalyst is supported on a titanium dioxide or zirconium dioxide support.

Abstract: A gasoline composition containing in the range of from 0.1 to 30 wt % alkylfurfuryl ether with an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is provided. The gasoline composition is prepared by blending the alkylfurfuryl ether in a gasoline base fuel. The alkylfurfuryl ether is prepared by reacting an alkyl alcohol having in the range of 1 to 4 carbon atoms is reacted with furfuryl alcohol by contacting a liquid phase comprising the alkyl alcohol and furfuryl alcohol with an acidic zeolite catalyst at a temperature in the range of from 50 to 200° C.

Abstract: A process is provided for manufacture of branched carboxylic acids from branched olefins by means of reaction with carbon monoxide and a solid acid catalyst. In this process, a branched olefin, or a precursor thereof, is reacted in continuously backmixed reactor, with continuously supplied carbon monoxide and water, while continuously an effluent is withdrawn comprising branched carboxylic acid, non-converted olefin, carbon monoxide and water, in the presence of an acidic ion exchanger, having sufficient acid groups to provide requisite protons for conversion of the olefin or a precursor of it, and carbon monoxide into branched carboxylic acids.