Abstract: Forming a diene includes contacting a reactant including at least one of a cyclic ether and a diol with a heterogeneous acid catalyst to yield a reaction mixture including a diene. The heterogeneous acid catalyst includes at least one of a Lewis acid catalyst, a supported Lewis-acid catalyst, a Brnsted acid catalyst, a solid acid catalyst, a supported phosphoric acid catalyst, and a sulfonated catalyst. The dehydration of cyclic ethers and diols with high selectivity to yield dienes completes pathways for the production of dienes, such as isoprene and butadiene, from biomass in high yields, thereby promoting economical production of dienes from renewable resources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the dehydration of at least one oxygenated compound, preferably selected from saturated alcohols, unsaturated alcohols, diols, ethers, in the presence of at least one dehydration catalyst selected from cerium oxide (CeO2), aluminium oxide (?-Al2O3), aluminium silicate, silica-aluminas (SiO2—Al2O3), aluminas, zeolites, sulfonated resins, ion-exchange resins, metal oxides (for example, lanthanum oxide, zirconium oxide, tungsten oxide, thallium oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide); of at least one basic agent selected from ammonia (NH3), or from inorganic or organic compounds containing nitrogen capable of developing ammonia (NH3) during said dehydration process; and, optionally, of silica (SiO2), or of at least one catalyst for the dissociation of ammonia (NH3) selected from catalysts comprising silica (SiO2), preferably of silica (SiO2).

Abstract: A method for producing butadiene from 2,3-butanediol with high selectivity without using a radioactive substance is disclosed. The method for producing butadiene comprises the step of dehydrating 2,3-butanediol in the presence of a catalyst containing an alkali metal salt of phosphoric acid such as an alkali metal dihydrogen phosphate supported on silica. Preferred examples of the alkali metal herein include K, Rb, and Cs. The catalyst is preferably a catalyst prepared by calcination of the silica to which the alkali metal of phosphoric acid is attached.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to method for chemically converting polyhydric alcohols to a mixture of hydrocarbons and halocarbons. The invention is also directed to a process for converting cellulose or hemicellulose to hydrocarbon fuels.

Abstract: A process for producing isoprene in good yield is provided. The process is characterized in that isobutene and/or tertiary butanol and a formaldehyde source are fed, together with water, into an acidic aqueous solution continuously or intermittently while maintaining the reaction pressure in an adequate range and at the same time distilling off the product isoprene and unreacted starting materials, together with water, from the reaction zone.

Abstract: 2,5-Dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene is prepared by dehydrating 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-hexanediol in liquid phase. The reaction takes place by contacting 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-hexanediol, melted or dissolved in an appropriate solvent, with acids, heating the mixture at a temperature of 100.degree. C.-160.degree. C. and distilling off water from the reaction environment as it is being formed. The pressure can range between 1 and 10 bars.

Abstract: A process for preparing an .alpha.,.omega.-C.sub.6 - to C.sub.20 -alkenol of a purity of greater than 85% comprises catalytically dehydrating the corresponding .alpha.,.omega.-C.sub.6 - to C.sub.20 -diol using a catalyst of a neutral, pyrophosphate of lithium, sodium, strontium or barium or a mixture thereof at a temperature of 300.degree.-500.degree. C. and a diol conversion of 10-90%.