Abstract: This invention relates to hybrid polyols useful in the manufacture of polyurethane. The hybrid polyols of the present invention is derived by copolymerizing or grafting a traditional polyester polyol onto a natural oil polyol. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the traditional polyester polyol grafted onto natural oil polyol contains a high level of bio-renewable content. The hybrid polyols of the present invention with high level of bio-renewable content is useful in the manufacture of polyurethane either alone or in combination with polyester polyol or polyether polyol derived from petrochemical sources.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermally and/or high-energy radiation curable waterborne or 100% solid coating with high bio-based content. The coating formulation according to the present invention is derived or partially derived from melt polycondensation of a carboxylic acid and a diol with dicyclopentadiene-maleic acid half-ester or nadic acid-maleic acid half-ester or methyl nadic acid-maleic acid half-ester.

Abstract: This invention relates to hybrid polyols useful in the manufacture of polyurethane. The hybrid polyols of the present invention is derived by copolymerizing or grafting a traditional polyester polyol onto a natural oil polyol. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the traditional polyester polyol grafted onto natural oil polyol contains a high level of bio-renewable content. The hybrid polyols of the present invention with high level of bio-renewable content is useful in the manufacture of polyurethane either alone or in combination with polyester polyol or polyether polyol derived from petrochemical sources.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing succinate ester from a succinic acid salt present in a fermentation broth. In the first stage of this invention, renewable carbon resources are utilized to produce succinic acid in the form of a succinic acid salt through biological fermentation. The succinic acid salt present in the fermentation broth is subjected to double displacement reaction with a strong acid leading to the release of succinic acid. Succinic acid is recovered by fractional crystallization integrated with an alcohol washing step and subjected to esterification reaction to produce succinate ester which is purified by fractional distillation. The succinate ester thus obtained is converted into 1,4-butanediol, gamma-butyrolactone and tetrahydrofuran through hydrogenation reactions. The succinate ester can also be hydrolyzed to yield highly pure succinic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermally and/or high-energy radiation curable waterborne or 100% solid coating with high bio-based content. The coating formulation according to the present invention is derived or partially derived from melt polycondensation of a carboxylic acid and a diol with dicyclopentadiene-maleic acid half-ester or nadic acid-maleic acid half-ester or methyl nadic acid-maleic acid half-ester.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing succinic acid and succinate ester from a succinic acid salt in fermentation broth. In the first stage of this invention, renewable carbon resources are utilized to produce succinic acid through biological fermentation. The succinic acid salt in the fermentation process is subjected to double displacement reaction with a strong acid leading to release of succinic acid. Succinic acid is recovered by fractional crystallization integrated with simulated moving bed chromatography to produce succinic acid and succinate ester.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing succinate ester from a succinic acid salt present in a fermentation broth. In the first stage of this invention, renewable carbon resources are utilized to produce succinic acid in the form of a succinic acid salt through biological fermentation. The succinic acid salt present in the fermentation broth is subjected to double displacement reaction with a strong acid leading to the release of succinic acid. Succinic acid is recovered by fractional crystallization integrated with an alcohol washing step and subjected to esterification reaction to produce succinate ester which is purified by fractional distillation. The succinate ester thus obtained is converted into 1,4-butanediol, gamma-butyrolactone and tetrahydrofuran through hydrogenation reactions. The succinate ester can also be hydrolyzed to yield highly pure succinic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing 2-pyrrolidone (also called 2-pyrrolidinone) and N-methylpyrrolidone (also called N-methylpyrrolidinone) from diammonium succinate in fermentation broth. In the first stage of this invention, renewable carbon resources are utilized to produce diammonium succinate through biological fermentation. In the second stage of this present invention, diammonium succinate is converted into 2-pyrrolidone and N-methylpyrrolidone through a two step reaction. Both the steps of the reaction leading to the production of 2-pyrrolidone and N-methylpyrrolidone are carried out in a solvent phase to prevent the loss of succinimide through hydrolysis.