Disclosed herein is a method of generating a combinatorial library of products having a diverse array of properties. In particular, the method comprises: (a) selecting one or more pairs of reactants comprising complementary functional groups; (b) mapping all possible bond arrangements between the complementary functional groups of each pair to provide a library of possible products; (c) analyzing one or more properties of each possible product to select one or more products with desired properties (desired products); and (d) synthesizing the one or more desired products. Further disclosed herein is a method that involves the retrosynthetic reduction of a complex molecule into simple starting materials.

A compound having the formula (I): ##STR00001##
is disclosed. A method of preparing the compound of formula (I) is also disclosed.

A compound having the formula (I): ##STR00001##
is disclosed. A method of preparing the compound of formula (I) is also disclosed.

A process for processing lignin includes contacting a mixture comprising lignin and/or lignin-like molecules with a catalyst to form a reaction mixture, and producing one or more reaction products. The reaction mixture comprises one or more aliphatic alcohols, and the one or more reaction products are selected from the group consisting of: 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol (DHE), 2,6-dimethoxy-4-propylphenol (DMPP), 4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,6-dimethoxyphenol (DMPP-OH), 4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2-methoxyphenol (DHE-OH), 2,6-dimethoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)phenol (i-DMPP), 2-methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)phenol (isoeugenol), and mixtures thereof.

A process for processing lignin includes contacting a mixture comprising lignin and/or lignin-like molecules with a catalyst to form a reaction mixture, and producing one or more reaction products. The reaction mixture comprises one or more aliphatic alcohols, and the one or more reaction products are selected from the group consisting of: 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol (DHE), 2,6-dimethoxy-4-propylphenol (DMPP), 4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,6-dimethoxyphenol (DMPP-OH), 4-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2-methoxyphenol (DHE-OH), 2,6-dimethoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)phenol (i-DMPP), 2-methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)phenol (isoeugenol), and mixtures thereof.

A process of producing methacrylic acid and/or derivatives thereof including the following steps: (a) biologically converting isobutyryl-CoA into methacrylyl-CoA by the action of an oxidase; and (b) converting methacrylyl-CoA into methacrylic acid and/or derivatives thereof. The invention also extends to microorganisms adapted to conduct the steps of the process.

A process of producing methacrylic acid and/or derivatives thereof including the following steps: (a) biologically converting isobutyryl-CoA into methacrylyl-CoA by the action of an oxidase; and (b) converting methacrylyl-CoA into methacrylic acid and/or derivatives thereof. The invention also extends to microorganisms adapted to conduct the steps of the process.

Provided herein are substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,1-biphenyl compounds and methods of making same.

Provided herein are substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,1-biphenyl compounds and methods of making same.

Provided herein are substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,1-biphenyl compounds and methods of making same.