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.

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.

Method for preparing methyl formate and coproducing dimethyl ether by reacting a formaldehyde and methanol raw material (molar ratio range of 1:4 to 1:0.05) in a First Reaction Region at ranges from 50° C. to 100° C. with Catalyst A resulting in post-reaction material separated into Constituent I. Reacting Constituent I in a Second Reaction Region at ranges from 50° C. to 200° C. and from 0.1 MPa to 10 MPa with Catalyst B resulting in post-reaction material, which is separated into methyl formate, dimethyl ether and Constituent II. At least 1% of dimethyl ether is product, and recycling the rest to the First Reaction Region. Constituent II is recycled to the Second Reaction Region. Each component is gaseous phase and/or liquid phase, independently. The method shows long catalyst life, mild reaction condition, high utilization ratio of raw materials, continuous production and large scale industrial application potential.

This invention discloses a reaction system for producing fatty-acid alkyl esters using liquid film reactors, with countercurrent flow scheme based on the alcoholysis of fats and oils. Reaction system comprises a descending film reactor using semi-structured packing for generating interfacial area. It is fed through the bottom with oil or fat, and with a mixture containing alcohol, glycerol and catalyst through an intermediate stage. Products are a mixture of fatty-acid alkyl esters, alcohol and catalyst and alcohol, glycerol and catalyst, exit via the top and the bottom of the reactor, respectively. Volumetric packing fraction is between 2% and 50%, reaction temperature from 25 to 180° C., molar ratio alcohol to oil between 3:1 and 10:1, and CH3OH, NaOH, KOH, or their mixtures (0.5% to 3% based on the oil mass flow rate). Conversion and yield in a single reaction step are greater than 99.7% and 99.9%, respectively.

A process for preparing dry methacrolein, and a process for producing methyl methacrylate are disclosed.

The multifunctional compound is represented by formula X—C(R)RF—Y, in which X and Y are each independently —C(O)—O-M, —C(O)-HAL, —C(O)—NR.sup.1.sub.2, —C≡N, —C(O)NR.sup.1—SO.sub.2—R.sub.f.sup.1-W, or a fluorinated alkenyl group that is optionally interrupted by one or more —O— groups. HAL is —F, —Cl, or —Br. R.sub.f.sup.1 is a fluorinated alkylene group that is optionally interrupted by one or more —O— groups. W is —F, —SO.sub.2Z, —CF═CF.sub.2, —O—CF═CF.sub.2, or —O—CF.sub.2—CF═CF.sub.2. Z is —F, —Cl, —NR.sup.1.sub.2, or —OM. Each R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or alkyl having up to four carbon atoms. M is an alkyl group, a trimethylsilyl group, a hydrogen atom, a metallic cation, or a quaternary ammonium cation. R is a bromine, chloride, fluorine or hydrogen atom; and RF is a fluorinated alkenyl group that is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one chlorine atom, aryl group, or a combination thereof or RF is a fluorinated alkyl group or arylalkylenyl group that is substituted by bromine or iodine and uninterrupted or interrupted by at least one —O— group. A process for making the compound is also disclosed. A fluoropolymer made from the compound and a method of making the fluoropolymer are also disclosed.

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.