The present invention provides a process for preparing a (1,2-dimethyl-3-methylenecyclopentyl)acetate compound of the following general formula (3), wherein R represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the process comprising subjecting a haloacetaldehyde alkyl 2,3-dimethyl-2-cyclopentenyl acetal compound of the following general formula (1), wherein R is as defined above, and Y represents a halogen atom, to a dehydrohalogenation reaction in the presence of a base, followed by a rearrangement reaction to obtain a (1,2-dimethyl-2-cyclopentenyl)acetate compound of the following general formula (2), wherein R is as defined above, and subjecting the (1,2-dimethyl-2-cyclopentenyl)acetate compound (2) to an epoxidation reaction, followed by an isomerization reaction and then a methylenation reaction to obtain the (1,2-dimethyl-3-methylenecyclopentyl)acetate compound of the following general formula (3). The present invention also provides a process for preparing (1,2-dimethyl-3-methylenecyclopentyl)acetaldehyde of the following formula (4), the process comprising the aforesaid process for preparing the (1,2-dimethyl-3-methylenecyclopentyl)acetate compound (3), and converting an alkoxycarbonylmethyl group (i.e., —CH.sub.2C(═O)OR) of the (1,2-dimethyl-3-methylenecyclopentyl)acetate compound (3) to a formylmethyl group (i.e., —CH.sub.2CHO) to obtain (1,2-dimethyl-3-methylenecyclopentyl)acetaldehyde (4). ##STR00001##

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.

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.

The invention relates to a process for the conversion of furfuryl alcohol into a levulinate ester comprising contacting furfuryl alcohol; an alcohol, or a mixture thereof; and a homogeneous catalyst at a first reaction temperature in the range of from 125 to 180° C. to form a reaction mixture; and forming the levulinate ester in the reaction mixture, characterised in that the first homogeneous catalyst is a sulfonic acid catalyst.

The invention relates to a process for the conversion of furfuryl alcohol into a levulinate ester comprising contacting furfuryl alcohol; an alcohol, or a mixture thereof; and a homogeneous catalyst at a first reaction temperature in the range of from 125 to 180° C. to form a reaction mixture; and forming the levulinate ester in the reaction mixture, characterised in that the first homogeneous catalyst is a sulfonic acid catalyst.

Disclosed are a low-migration hindered phenol antioxidant compound, a preparation method and a composition. During production, processing or use, polymers experience degradation due to factors such as light, oxygen and heat. The oxidation resistance thereof is often increased by adding one or more common antioxidants, thereby inhibiting and delaying the rate if oxidative degradation thereof. The structures of traditional hindered phenolic antioxidant compounds migrate in polymers. The hindered phenolic antioxidant compound of the present invention has more hindered phenol units, and can achieve the objectives of low extraction and low migration.

A process is provided for the preparation of value added chemicals such as ethyl levulinate from a glucose or other sugars, catalyzed by a mixture of a Lewis acid catalyst and a Bronsted acid catalyst.

A process is provided for the preparation of value added chemicals such as ethyl levulinate from a glucose or other sugars, catalyzed by a mixture of a Lewis acid catalyst and a Bronsted acid catalyst.