There is provided a process for the reduction of one or more amide moieties in a compound comprising contacting the compound with hydrogen gas and a transition metal catalyst in the presence or absence of a base under conditions for the reduction an amide bond. The presently described processes can be performed at low catalyst loading using relatively mild temperature and pressures, and optionally, in the presence or absence of a base or high catalyst loadings using low temperatures and pressures and high loadings of base to effect dynamic kinetic resolution of achiral amides.

There is provided a process for the reduction of one or more amide moieties in a compound comprising contacting the compound with hydrogen gas and a transition metal catalyst in the presence or absence of a base under conditions for the reduction an amide bond. The presently described processes can be performed at low catalyst loading using relatively mild temperature and pressures, and optionally, in the presence or absence of a base or high catalyst loadings using low temperatures and pressures and high loadings of base to effect dynamic kinetic resolution of achiral amides.

The present invention pertains to a method for producing an optically active compound which includes a step for reducing an imino group of an imine compound or a step for reducing an unsaturated bond of a heterocyclic compound, while in the presence of hydrogen gas as a hydrogen donor and one or more types of complexes selected from a group consisting of a complex represented by general formula (1), a complex represented by general formula (2), a complex represented by general formula (3), and a complex represented by general formula (4) (the general formulas (1)-(4) are as stipulated by claim 1).

The present invention pertains to a method for producing an optically active compound which includes a step for reducing an imino group of an imine compound or a step for reducing an unsaturated bond of a heterocyclic compound, while in the presence of hydrogen gas as a hydrogen donor and one or more types of complexes selected from a group consisting of a complex represented by general formula (1), a complex represented by general formula (2), a complex represented by general formula (3), and a complex represented by general formula (4) (the general formulas (1)-(4) are as stipulated by claim 1).

This specification discloses an operational continuous process to convert lignin as found in ligno-cellulosic biomass before or after converting at least some of the carbohydrates. The continuous process has been demonstrated to create a slurry comprised of lignin, raise the slurry comprised of lignin to ultra-high pressure, deoxygenate the lignin in a lignin conversion reactor over a catalyst which is not a fixed bed without producing char. The conversion products of the carbohydrates or lignin can be further processed into polyester intermediates for use in polyester preforms and bottles.

This specification discloses an operational continuous process to convert lignin as found in ligno-cellulosic biomass before or after converting at least some of the carbohydrates. The continuous process has been demonstrated to create a slurry comprised of lignin, raise the slurry comprised of lignin to ultra-high pressure, deoxygenate the lignin in a lignin conversion reactor over a catalyst which is not a fixed bed without producing char. The conversion products of the carbohydrates or lignin can be further processed into polyester intermediates for use in polyester preforms and bottles.

The present invention utilizes mechanical vapor compression and/or thermal vapor compression integrating compression loops across multiple process stages. A sequential network of compressors is utilized to increase the pressure and condensing temperature of the vapors within each process stage, as intra-vapor flow, and branching between process stages, as inter-vapor flow. Because the vapors available are shared among and between compressor stages, the number of compressors can be reduced, improving economics. Balancing vapor mass flow through incremental compressor stages which traverse multiple process stages by splitting vapors between compressor stages enables the overall vapor-compression system to be tailored to individual process energy requirements and to accommodate dynamic fluctuations in process conditions.

The present invention utilizes mechanical vapor compression and/or thermal vapor compression integrating compression loops across multiple process stages. A sequential network of compressors is utilized to increase the pressure and condensing temperature of the vapors within each process stage, as intra-vapor flow, and branching between process stages, as inter-vapor flow. Because the vapors available are shared among and between compressor stages, the number of compressors can be reduced, improving economics. Balancing vapor mass flow through incremental compressor stages which traverse multiple process stages by splitting vapors between compressor stages enables the overall vapor-compression system to be tailored to individual process energy requirements and to accommodate dynamic fluctuations in process conditions.

The present invention relates to a process for the one-pot hydrogenation and dehydration or isomerization of an organic compound, and to a catalyst composition for this process comprising transition metal particles having particle size below 50 nm supported on a material comprising at least one fluorinated polymer (P), wherein polymer (P) bears —SO.sub.2X functional groups, X being selected from X′ and OM, X′ being selected from the groups consisting of F, Cl, Br and I; and M being selected from the group consisting of H, and alkaline metal and NH.sub.4.

The present invention relates to a process for the one-pot hydrogenation and dehydration or isomerization of an organic compound, and to a catalyst composition for this process comprising transition metal particles having particle size below 50 nm supported on a material comprising at least one fluorinated polymer (P), wherein polymer (P) bears —SO.sub.2X functional groups, X being selected from X′ and OM, X′ being selected from the groups consisting of F, Cl, Br and I; and M being selected from the group consisting of H, and alkaline metal and NH.sub.4.