Abstract: A process for producing a diene, preferably a conjugated diene, more preferably 1,3-butadiene, includes the steps of dehydrating at least one alkenol in the presence of at least one catalytic material having at least one acid catalyst based on silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3), preferably a silica-alumina (SiO2—Al2O3), the catalyst having an alumina content (Al2O3) lower than or equal to 12% by weight, preferably between 0.1% by weight and 10% by weight, with respect to the catalyst total weight. The alumina content is referred to the catalyst total weight without binder, and a pore modal diameter between 9 nm and 170 nm, preferably between 10 nm and 150 nm, still more preferably between 12 nm and 120 nm. Preferably, the alkenol is obtainable directly from biosynthetic processes, or catalytic dehydration processes of at least one diol, preferably a butanediol, more preferably 1,3-butanediol, still more preferably bio-1,3-butanediol, deriving from biosynthetic processes.

Abstract: A process for producing a diene, preferably a conjugated diene, more preferably 1,3-butadiene, includes the steps of dehydrating at least one alkenol in the presence of at least one catalytic material having at least one acid catalyst based on silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3), preferably a silica-alumina (SiO2—Al2O3), the catalyst having an alumina content (Al2O3) lower than or equal to 12% by weight, preferably between 0.1% by weight and 10% by weight, with respect to the catalyst total weight. The alumina content is referred to the catalyst total weight without binder, and a pore modal diameter between 9 nm and 170 nm, preferably between 10 nm and 150 nm, still more preferably between 12 nm and 120 nm. Preferably, the alkenol is obtainable directly from biosynthetic processes, or catalytic dehydration processes of at least one diol, preferably a butanediol, more preferably 1,3-butanediol, still more preferably bio-1,3-butanediol, deriving from biosynthetic processes.

Abstract: A process for production of sugars from biomass derived from guayule plants includes placing a certain amount of the biomass in contact with a certain amount of water and with at least one organic acid. The sugars thus obtained may advantageously be used as sources of carbon in fermentation processes for the production of alcohols, lipids, diols, or in chemical synthesis processes for the production of other intermediates or chemicals.

Abstract: Process for the production of sugars from biomass derived from guayule plants comprising placing an amount of said biomass (G2) (g) in contact with an amount of water (G1) (g) and with at least one organic acid, and optionally at least one inorganic acid, obtaining a mixture, said at least one organic acid and said at least one inorganic acid optionally present being used in such amounts that the total moles of said at least one organic acid and said at least one inorganic acid optionally present (mTOT) contained in said mixture are calculated according to the following equation (1): mTOT=m1+m2 ??(1) wherein m1 and m2 are defined according to the following equations (2) and (3), respectively: m1=R1·G1 ??(2) m2=R2·G2 ??(3) wherein: R1 (mmol/g) is the ratio between a first amount of said at least one organic acid (mmol) and a first amount of said at least one inorganic acid (mmol) optionally present and the amount of water G1 (g) used, R1 being between 0.06 mmol/g and 0.

Abstract: Process for the production of a diene, preferably a conjugated diene, more preferably 1,3-butadiene, comprising the dehydration of at least one alkenol in the presence of at least one catalytic material comprising at least one acid catalyst based on silica (SiO2) and alumina (AI2O3), preferably a silica-alumina (SiO2-AI2O3), said catalyst having a content of alumina (AI2O3) lower than or equal to 12% by weight, preferably ranging from 0.1% by weight to 10% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the catalyst. Preferably, said alkenol can be obtained directly from biosynthesis processes, or through the catalytic dehydration of at least one diol, preferably a butanediol, more preferably 1,3-butanediol, even more preferably bio-1,3-butanediol, deriving from biosynthesis processes. Preferably, said 1,3-butadiene is bio-1,3-butadiene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated process for processing and utilizing every part of the guayule plant (Parthenium argnetatum) which comprises the following steps in sequence: separating the stem and branches from the leaves of said plant with a mechanical treatment; treating the leaves to produce waxes and essential oils, and a fraction containing cellulose, hemicellulose (carbohydrates) and, to a minor extent, salts, organic compounds and lignin; extracting from the stem and branches a liquid phase, so forming a first solid woody residue, indicated with bagasse in the present text; treating said first solid woody residue to prepare sugars, resin, rubber and lignin.

Abstract: Process for the production of sugars from biomass including at least one polysaccharide which comprises putting a biomass in contact with an aqueous solution of at least one organic acid having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, the pH of said aqueous solution being ranging from 0.6 to 1.6, preferably ranging from 0.9 to 1.3. The sugars thus obtained can be advantageously used as carbon sources in fermentation processes for the production of alcohols (e.g., ethanol, butanol), diols (e.g., 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol), lipids, or other intermediates or products. Said alcohols, diols, lipids, or other intermediates or products, can be advantageously used in the chemical industry or in the formulation of fuels for motor vehicles. Said alcohols and said diols can also be advantageously used in the bio-butadiene production.

Abstract: Process for the production of alkenols comprising the dehydration of at least one diol in the presence of at least one catalyst based on cerium oxide, wherein said catalyst based on cerium oxide is obtained by precipitation, in the presence of at least one base, of at least one compound containing cerium. Preferably, said diol may be a butanediol, more preferably 1,3-butanediol, still more preferably bio-1,3-butanediol derived from biosynthetic processes. Said alkenols may advantageously be used for the production of 1,3-butadiene, in particular of bio-1,3-butadiene.

Abstract: Process for the production of a diene, preferably a conjugated diene, more preferably 1,3-butadiene, comprising the dehydration of at least one alkenol in the presence of at least one catalytic material comprising at least one acid catalyst based on silica (SiO2) and alumina (AI2O3), preferably a silica-alumina (SiO2-AI2O3), said catalyst having a content of alumina (AI2O3) lower than or equal to 12% by weight, preferably ranging from 0.1% by weight to 10% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the catalyst. Preferably, said alkenol can be obtained directly from biosynthesis processes, or through the catalytic dehydration of at least one diol, preferably a butanediol, more preferably 1,3-butanediol, even more preferably bio-1,3-butanediol, deriving from biosynthesis processes. Preferably, said 1,3-butadiene is bio-1,3-butadiene.

Abstract: Electrode comprising a conductive substrate on which a uniform layer of aggregates A, having an average diameter ranging from 40 to 100 nm, is deposited, on which a non-homogeneous distribution of aggregates B, having an average diameter ranging from 300 nm to 1,200 nm, is superimposed, both of said aggregates being composed of particles containing one or more metals Me selected from platinum, palladium and gold, having an average diameter ranging from 8 to 10 nm. The use of said electrode, as cathode, for DSSC devices produces a marked improvement in the performances of the cell with respect to the results that can be obtained with known cathodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated process for processing and utilising every part of the guayule plant (Parthenium argentatum) which comprises the following steps in sequence: separating the stem and branches (3) from the leaves (2) of said plant with a mechanical treatment (1); treating the leaves (100) to produce waxes and essential oils (102), and a fraction (101) containing cellulose, hemicellulose (carbohydrates) and, to a minor extent, salts, organic compounds and lignin; extracting (200) from the stem and branches a liquid phase (4), so forming a first solid woody residue (5), indicated with bagasse in the present text; treating said first solid woody residue (5) to prepare sugars, resin, rubber and lignin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode comprising a conductive material and characterised by the fact of containing a porous crosslinked layer of metal particles, said metal particles being fused between them by a part of their outer surface, still leaving the remaining portion of the outer surface free, said particles being characterised in that they contain one or more metals selected from platinum, palladium, gold and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Process for the production of alkenols comprising the dehydration of at least one diol in the presence of at least one catalyst based on cerium oxide, wherein said catalyst based on cerium oxide is obtained by precipitation, in the presence of at least one base, of at least one compound containing cerium. Preferably, said diol may be a butanediol, more preferably 1,3-butanediol, still more preferably bio-1,3-butanediol derived from biosynthetic processes. Said alkenols may advantageously be used for the production of 1,3-butadiene, in particular of bio-1,3-butadiene.

Abstract: Process for the production of sugars from biomass including at least one polysaccharide which comprises putting a biomass in contact with an aqueous solution of at least one organic acid having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, the pH of said aqueous solution being ranging from 0.6 to 1.6, preferably ranging from 0.9 to 1.3. The sugars thus obtained can be advantageously used as carbon sources in fermentation processes for the production of alcohols (e.g., ethanol, butanol), diols (e.g., 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol), lipids, or other intermediates or products. Said alcohols, diols, lipids, or other intermediates or products, can be advantageously used in the chemical industry or in the formulation of fuels for motor vehicles. Said alcohols and said diols can also be advantageously used in the bio-butadiene production.

Abstract: Electrode comprising a conductive substrate on which a uniform layer of aggregates A, having an average diameter ranging from 40 to 100 nm, is deposited, on which a non-homogeneous distribution of aggregates B, having an average diameter ranging from 300 nm to 1,200 nm, is superimposed, both of said aggregates being composed of particles containing one or more metals Me selected from platinum, palladium and gold, having an average diameter ranging from 8 to 10 nm. The use of said electrode, as cathode, for DSSC devices produces a marked improvement in the performances of the cell with respect to the results that can be obtained with known cathodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new zeolite having a beta-type crystalline structure, characterized by a distribution of the Lewis acid sites and Brønsted acid sites corresponding to a molar ratio [Lewis sites] [Brønsted sites] equal to or higher than 1.5. This new zeolite is useful in preparation processes of alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons through the alkylation and/or transalkylation of aromatic compounds. The preparation method of the new zeolite is also object of the present invention.

Abstract: Process for preparing alkylated aromatic compounds which comprises reacting an aromatic compound with a ketone and hydrogen in the presence of a catalytic composition comprising a solid acid material and copper. A preferred aspect is to use a catalytic composition also containing one or more elements selected from elements of groups IIIA, IVA, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, group VIII limited to Fe, Ru and Os, and of the series of lanthanides. A particularly preferred aspect is to use a catalytic composition containing one or more elements selected from elements of groups IIIA and VIB.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new zeolite having a beta-type crystalline structure, characterized by a distribution of the Lewis acid sites and Brønsted acid sites corresponding to a molar ratio [Lewis sites] [Brønsted sites] equal to or higher than 1.5. This new zeolite is useful in preparation processes of alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons through the alkylation and/or transalkylation of aromatic compounds. The preparation method of the new zeolite is also object of the present invention.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of ethylene copolymers having a wide molecular weight distribution, characterized in that it is carried out in the presence of meso- and rac-stereoisomeric mixtures of metallocene compounds having general formula (I), wherein A? and A?, the same or different, are a radical of the ??5-tetrahydroindenyl type (Ia)

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of ethylene copolymers having a wide molecular weight distribution, characterized in that it is carried out in the presence of meso- and rac-stereoisomeric mixtures of metallocene compounds having general formula (I), wherein A? and A?, the same or different, are a radical of the ??5L-tetrahydroindenyl type (Ia).