The present invention relates to anhydrous tetraalkyl pnictogen perfluoroalkoxy salts and a process to produce anhydrous tetraalkyl pnictogen perfluoroalkoxy salts. The process involves contacting a hydrofluoroether and an amine to produce a tetraalkyl pnictogen perfluoroalkoxy salt in the presence of a solvent. The present invention also relates to processes of preparing fluoroalkyl ether acid fluoride polymers using tetraalkyl pnictogen perfluoroalkoxy salt. The present invention further relates to some novel fluorinated alkyl polyether polymers.

The present invention relates to anhydrous tetraalkyl pnictogen perfluoroalkoxy salts and a process to produce anhydrous tetraalkyl pnictogen perfluoroalkoxy salts. The process involves contacting a hydrofluoroether and an amine to produce a tetraalkyl pnictogen perfluoroalkoxy salt in the presence of a solvent. The present invention also relates to processes of preparing fluoroalkyl ether acid fluoride polymers using tetraalkyl pnictogen perfluoroalkoxy salt. The present invention further relates to some novel fluorinated alkyl polyether polymers.

This invention relates to a method for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethyl esters of carboxylic acids. Said method consists of treating the biomass material with an oxidizing agent that is incorporated in an solution comprising one or more acids, one or more alcohols and water, and subsequently performing a catalytic reaction at a higher temperature using the same acidic solution into which a larger volume of alcohol is added, in such a way that the catalytic conversion occurs in a medium with a much higher concentration of alcohol, i.e. with a much higher alcohol-to-water wt ratio. Such a method results in relatively high yields of ethyl esters, such as ethyl esters of formic, acetic, and levulinic acids, while producing a low yield of dialkyl ethers, which are unwanted by-products. The concentration of the oxidizing agent in the pre-treatment step is preferably higher than 6.0 wt %. The oxidizing agent is preferably a Fenton or Fenton-type reagent, and most preferably hydrogen peroxide activated by Fe (II), and/or Ti (IV) ions. The alcohol is preferably ethanol, and when ethanol is used, diethyl ether is formed as the unwanted dialkyl ether by-product. Preferably, the biomass material is pelleted before treatment.

This invention relates to a method for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethyl esters of carboxylic acids. Said method consists of treating the biomass material with an oxidizing agent that is incorporated in an solution comprising one or more acids, one or more alcohols and water, and subsequently performing a catalytic reaction at a higher temperature using the same acidic solution into which a larger volume of alcohol is added, in such a way that the catalytic conversion occurs in a medium with a much higher concentration of alcohol, i.e. with a much higher alcohol-to-water wt ratio. Such a method results in relatively high yields of ethyl esters, such as ethyl esters of formic, acetic, and levulinic acids, while producing a low yield of dialkyl ethers, which are unwanted by-products. The concentration of the oxidizing agent in the pre-treatment step is preferably higher than 6.0 wt %. The oxidizing agent is preferably a Fenton or Fenton-type reagent, and most preferably hydrogen peroxide activated by Fe (II), and/or Ti (IV) ions. The alcohol is preferably ethanol, and when ethanol is used, diethyl ether is formed as the unwanted dialkyl ether by-product. Preferably, the biomass material is pelleted before treatment.

Disclosed is a hydroalkylation process in which the hydroalkylation catalyst is activated in the presence of a flowing fluid comprising hydrogen and a condensable agent. The presence of the condensable agent enables fast, effective activation of the hydroalkylation catalyst precursor in a cost-effective manner. It also yields superior catalyst performance.

Disclosed is a hydroalkylation process in which the hydroalkylation catalyst is activated in the presence of a flowing fluid comprising hydrogen and a condensable agent. The presence of the condensable agent enables fast, effective activation of the hydroalkylation catalyst precursor in a cost-effective manner. It also yields superior catalyst performance.

Homochiral metal organic framework (MOF) selected from a group consisting of (S.sub.p)-P5A-MOF-1 and (R.sub.p)-P5A-MOF-1 is provided. The homochiral MOFs are prepared from pure enantiomer struts of formula (I): ##STR00001##
The homochiral MOFs are suitable for separation of enantiomers from racemic mixtures.

The invention discloses an improved process for production of vitamin D3 from 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) and to a simple process for recovery unreacted 7-DHC for further reuse. The invention further describes a process for isolation and purification of Vitamin D3.

The present invention relates to an enzymatic synthesis of 4′-ethynyl-2′-deoxy nucleosides and analogs thereof, for example EFdA, that eliminates the use of protecting groups on the intermediates, improves the stereoselectivity of glycosylation and reduces the number of process steps needed to make said compounds. It also relates to the novel intermediates employed in the process.

The present invention relates to an enzymatic synthesis of 4′-ethynyl-2′-deoxy nucleosides and analogs thereof, for example EFdA, that eliminates the use of protecting groups on the intermediates, improves the stereoselectivity of glycosylation and reduces the number of process steps needed to make said compounds. It also relates to the novel intermediates employed in the process.