The present disclosure relates to methods of carbon-carbon bond fragmentation.

The present disclosure relates to methods of carbon-carbon bond fragmentation.

The present disclosure provides methods for the chemical degradation of polymers, in particular to methods for the degradation of polyesters by electrochemical processes.

The present disclosure provides methods for the chemical degradation of polymers, in particular to methods for the degradation of polyesters by electrochemical processes.

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.

Provided is a method of purifying a terpenoid amino alcohol derivative, including providing a crude terpenoid amino alcohol derivative; performing an acid/base crystallization process of the crude terpenoid amino alcohol derivative to obtain an organic salt; and reacting the organic salt with NaOH and toluene to obtain a purified terpenoid amino alcohol derivative. Also provided is a method of preparing p-mentha-2,8-diene-1-ol from the purified terpenoid amino alcohol derivative.

Provided is a method of purifying a terpenoid amino alcohol derivative, including providing a crude terpenoid amino alcohol derivative; performing an acid/base crystallization process of the crude terpenoid amino alcohol derivative to obtain an organic salt; and reacting the organic salt with NaOH and toluene to obtain a purified terpenoid amino alcohol derivative. Also provided is a method of preparing p-mentha-2,8-diene-1-ol from the purified terpenoid amino alcohol derivative.

A hydrogenolysis catalyst comprises a catalytic component that includes copper oxide, manganese oxide, and aluminum oxide, and a binder that includes a zirconium component, wherein the catalyst comprises at least about 30.0 wt % copper oxide, and the catalyst is substantially free of silicon or an oxide thereof. The hydrogenolysis catalysts are effective for converting fatty acid esters to fatty alcohols.

A hydrogenolysis catalyst comprises a catalytic component that includes copper oxide, manganese oxide, and aluminum oxide, and a binder that includes a zirconium component, wherein the catalyst comprises at least about 30.0 wt % copper oxide, and the catalyst is substantially free of silicon or an oxide thereof. The hydrogenolysis catalysts are effective for converting fatty acid esters to fatty alcohols.