Abstract: Methods for hydrogenolysis are described which use a Re-containing multimetallic catalyst for hydrogenolysis of both C—O and C—C bonds. Methods and compositions for reactions of hydrogen over a Re-containing catalyst with compositions containing a 6-carbon sugar, sugar alcohol, or glycerol are described. It has been surprisingly discovered that reaction with hydrogen over a Re-containing multimetallic catalyst resulted in superior conversion and selectivity to desired products such as propylene glycol.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of processing an initial di-carbonyl compound by conversion to a cyclic compound. The cyclic compound is reacted with an alkylating agent to form a derivative having an alkylated ring nitrogen. The invention encompasses a method of producing an N-alkyl product. Ammonia content of a solution is adjusted to produce a ratio of ammonia to di-carboxylate compound of from about 1:1 to about 1.5:1. An alkylating agent is added and the initial compound is alkylated and cyclized. The invention includes methods of making N-methyl pyrrolidinone (NMP). Aqueous ammonia and succinate is introduced into a vessel and ammonia is adjusted to provide a ratio of ammonia to succinate of less than 2:1. A methylating agent is reacted with succinate at a temperature of from greater than 100° C. to about 400° C. to produce N-methyl succinimide which is purified and hydrogenated to form NMP.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of processing plant material by adding water to form a mixture, heating the mixture, and separating a liquid component from a solid-comprising component. At least one of the liquid component and the solid-comprising component undergoes additional processing. Processing of the solid-comprising component produces oils, and processing of the liquid component produces one or more of glycerol, ethylene glycol, lactic acid and propylene glycol. The invention includes a process of forming glycerol, ethylene glycol, lactic acid and propylene glycol from plant matter by adding water, heating and filtering the plant matter. The filtrate containing starch, starch fragments, hemicellulose and fragments of hemicellulose is treated to form linear poly-alcohols which are then cleaved to produce one or more of glycerol, ethylene glycol, lactic acid and propylene glycol. The invention also includes a method of producing free and/or complexed sterols and stanols from plant material.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming an alpha, beta-unsaturated compound. A carboxylic acid is mixed with an alpha-hydroxy acid or an alpha-hydroxy ester and is esterified to form an alpha-acyloxy derivative. The alpha-acyloxy derivative is transformed into an alpha, beta-unsaturated derivative. The invention additionally includes a process of forming an acrylate. Lactic acid or a lactic acid ester is reacted with a first portion of acetic acid in the presence of a first catalyst to produce the corresponding 2-acetoxy propionic acid or ester. A non-reacted portion of the acetic acid is recycled. The 2-acetoxy propionic acid or ester is transferred to a second vessel containing a second catalyst, and acetic acid is liberated from the 2-acetoxy propionic acid or ester to produce a corresponding acrylic acid or acrylate ester. The acid or ester is subsequently esterified by reaction with an alcohol to form a desired acrylate ester.

Abstract: A nontoxic deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a surfactant, an antioxidant, and water. The fluid has an LD50 greater than about 10,000 mg/L. Another deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a vinylpyrrolidone polymer having a molecular weight between about 10,000 and about 700,000, and water. Another deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a nonionic surfactant selected from the polyoxyalkylene ethers, an antioxidant, and water. Another deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a surfactant, a food grade material that functions as an antioxidant, and water. A further deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a material that functions as both a buffer and a freezing point depressant, and water.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reactions of hydrogen over a Re-containing catalyst with compositions containing a 5-carbon sugar, sugar alcohol, or lactic acid are described. It has been surprisingly discovered that reaction with hydrogen over a Re-containing multimetallic catalyst resulted in superior conversion and selectivity to desired products such as propylene glycol. A process for the synthesis of PG from lactate or lactic acid is also described.

Abstract: A textured catalyst having a hydrothermally-stable support, a metal oxide and a catalyst component is described. Methods of conducting aqueous phase reactions that are catalyzed by a textured catalyst are also described. The invention also provides methods of making textured catalysts and methods of making chemical products using a textured catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making N-methylpyrrolidine and analogous compounds via hydrogenation. Novel catalysts for this process, and novel conditions/yields are also described. Other process improvements may include extraction and hydrolysis steps. Some preferred reactions take place in the aqueous phase. Starting materials for making N-methylpyrrolidine may include succinic acid, N-methylsuccinimide, and their analogs.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reactions of hydrogen over a Re-containing catalyst with compositions containing a 5-carbon sugar, sugar alcohol, or lactic acid are described. It has been surprisingly discovered that reaction with hydrogen over a Re-containing multimetallic catalyst resulted in superior conversion and selectivity to desired products such as propylene glycol. A process for the synthesis of PG from lactate or lactic acid is also described.

Abstract: A textured catalyst having a hydrothermally-stable support, a metal oxide and a catalyst component is described. Methods of conducting aqueous phase reactions that are catalyzed by a textured catalyst are also described. The invention also provides methods of making textured catalysts and methods of making chemical products using a textured catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making N-methylpyrrolidine and analogous compounds via hydrogenation. Novel catalysts for this process, and novel conditions/yields are also described. Other process improvements may include extraction and hydrolysis steps. Some preferred reactions take place in the aqueous phase. Starting materials for making N-methylpyrrolidine may include succinic acid, N-methylsuccinimide, and their analogs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making N-methylpyrrolidine and analogous compounds via hydrogenation. Novel catalysts for this process, and novel conditions/yields are also described. Other process improvements may include extraction and hydrolysis steps. Some preferred reactions take place in the aqueous phase. Starting materials for making N-methylpyrrolidine may include succinic acid, N-methylsuccinimide, and their analogs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making N-methylpyrrolidine and analogous compounds via hydrogenation. Novel catalysts for this process, and novel conditions/yields are also described. Other process improvements may include extraction and hydrolysis steps. Some preferred reactions take place in the aqueous phase. Starting materials for making N-methylpyrrolidine may include succinic acid, N-methylsuccinimide, and their analogs.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reactions of hydrogen over a Re-containing catalyst with compositions containing a 5-carbon sugar, sugar alcohol, or lactic acid are described. It has been surprisingly discovered that reaction with hydrogen over a Re-containing multimetallic catalyst resulted in superior conversion and selectivity to desired products such as propylene glycol. A process for the synthesis of PG from lactate or lactic acid is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making N-methylpyrrolidine and analogous compounds via hydrogenation. Novel catalysts for this process, and novel conditions/yields are also described. Other process improvements may include extraction and hydrolysis steps. Some preferred reactions take place in the aqueous phase. Starting materials for making N-methylpyrrolidine may include succinic acid, N-methylsuccinimide, and their analogs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making N-methylpyrrolidine and analogous compounds via hydrogenation. Novel catalysts for this process, and novel conditions/yields are also described. Other process improvements may include extraction and hydrolysis steps. Some preferred reactions take place in the aqueous phase. Starting materials for making N-methylpyrrolidine may include succinic acid, N-methylsuccinimide, and their analogs.

Abstract: Methods for hydrogenolysis are described which use a Re-containing multimetallic catalyst for hydrogenolysis of both C—O and C—C bonds. Methods and compositions for reactions of hydrogen over a Re-containing catalyst with compositions containing a 6-carbon sugar, sugar alcohol, or glycerol are described. It has been surprisingly discovered that reaction with hydrogen over a Re-containing multimetallic catalyst resulted in superior conversion and selectivity to desired products such as propylene glycol.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making N-methylpyrrolidine and analogous compounds via hydrogenation. Novel catalysts for this process, and novel conditions/yields are also described. Other process improvements may include extraction and hydrolysis steps. Some preferred reactions take place in the aqueous phase. Starting materials for making N-methylpyrrolidine may include succinic acid, N-methylsuccinimide, and their analogs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of converting sugars to their corresponding sugar alcohols by catalytic hydrogenation in the aqueous phase. It has been found that surprisingly superior results can be obtained by utilizing a relatively low temperature (less than 120° C.), selected hydrogenation conditions, and a hydrothermally stable catalyst. These results include excellent sugar conversion to the desired sugar alcohol, in combination with long life under hydrothermal conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making N-methylpyrrolidine and analogous compounds via hydrogenation. Novel catalysts for this process, and novel conditions/yields are also described. Other process improvements may include extraction and hydrolysis steps. Some preferred reactions take place in the aqueous phase. Starting materials for making N-methylpyrrolidine may include succinic acid, N-methylsuccinimide, and their analogs.