A method of processing an aqueous hemicellulosic stream containing lignin, comprising: (a) contacting an aqueous hemicellulosic stream containing lignin with a C.sub.3-8 alkyl alcohol at elevated temperature and acidic pH; (b) separating the reaction mixture obtained from step (a) into an aqueous phase containing hemicellulose-derived monosaccharide and an organic phase containing C.sub.3-8 alkyl alcohol; (c) concentrating the organic phase obtained from step (b) to remove at least some C.sub.3-8 alkyl alcohol; (d) treating the residue from step (c) with water or an aqueous medium having an alkaline pH; and (e) recovering C.sub.3-8 alkyl alcohol from the product of step (d).

A method of processing an aqueous hemicellulosic stream containing lignin, comprising: (a) contacting an aqueous hemicellulosic stream containing lignin with a C.sub.3-8 alkyl alcohol at elevated temperature and acidic pH; (b) separating the reaction mixture obtained from step (a) into an aqueous phase containing hemicellulose-derived monosaccharide and an organic phase containing C.sub.3-8 alkyl alcohol; (c) concentrating the organic phase obtained from step (b) to remove at least some C.sub.3-8 alkyl alcohol; (d) treating the residue from step (c) with water or an aqueous medium having an alkaline pH; and (e) recovering C.sub.3-8 alkyl alcohol from the product of step (d).

A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from ?20? C. to 30? C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.

A method of reducing an aromatic ring or a cyclic, allylic ether in a compound includes preparing a reaction mixture including a compound including an aromatic moiety or a cyclic, allylic ether moiety, an alkali metal, and either ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, or a combination thereof, in an ether solvent; and reacting the reaction mixture at from ?20? C. to 30? C. for a time sufficient to reduce a double bond in the aromatic moiety to a single bond or to reduce the cyclic, allylic ether moiety.

To provide a fluorinated ether compound, a fluorinated ether composition and a coating liquid excellent in chemical resistance, an article having a surface layer excellent in chemical resistance and a method for producing it, and a method for producing a fluorinated ether compound excellent in chemical resistance. A fluorinated ether compound which has a first partial structure represented by the following formula (1) and a second partial structure represented by the following formula (2), and which has at least five first partial structures, or has at least two second partial structures:
OR.sup.f12(1)
OR.sup.f13(2)
wherein R.sup.f12 is a C.sub.1-6 fluoroalkylene group, and R.sup.f13 is a group having a fluorinated cyclic structure which may have a hetero atom.

To provide a fluorinated ether compound, a fluorinated ether composition and a coating liquid excellent in chemical resistance, an article having a surface layer excellent in chemical resistance and a method for producing it, and a method for producing a fluorinated ether compound excellent in chemical resistance. A fluorinated ether compound which has a first partial structure represented by the following formula (1) and a second partial structure represented by the following formula (2), and which has at least five first partial structures, or has at least two second partial structures:
OR.sup.f12(1)
OR.sup.f13(2)
wherein R.sup.f12 is a C.sub.1-6 fluoroalkylene group, and R.sup.f13 is a group having a fluorinated cyclic structure which may have a hetero atom.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a maintenance method for restoring the flexibility of a surface layer of a bowling ball in which the flexibility of the surface layer is lost by volatilization or elution of a plasticizer. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a maintenance method of bowling ball is provided, characterized in that a plasticizer is applied to a surface layer of the bowling ball.

A process for synthesizing at least one levulinate ester, said process comprising the reaction of furfuryl alcohol with at least one other alcohol in the presence of water and at least one catalyst, said furfuryl alcohol being present in a quantity of at least 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the alcohols, and said catalyst comprising at least one triflate ligand and at least one metal selected from bismuth, gallium, aluminum, tin and iron.

A process for synthesizing at least one levulinate ester, said process comprising the reaction of furfuryl alcohol with at least one other alcohol in the presence of water and at least one catalyst, said furfuryl alcohol being present in a quantity of at least 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the alcohols, and said catalyst comprising at least one triflate ligand and at least one metal selected from bismuth, gallium, aluminum, tin and iron.

Dehydrogenative coupling can be achieved in nearly quantitative conversions and yields using a membrane reactor.