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 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.

The present invention relates to a transition metal complex having a PNNP4 ligand, which is easy to manufacture and handle and is relatively inexpensively available, and a method for manufacturing the same, as well as a method using this transition metal complex as a catalyst for hydrogenation reduction of ketones, esters and amides to manufacture corresponding alcohols, aldehydes, hemiacetals and hemiaminals, a method using this transition metal complex as a catalyst for oxidation of alcohols, hemiacetals and hemiaminals to manufacture corresponding carbonyl compounds, and a method using this transition metal complex as a catalyst for dehydrogenation condensation between alcohols and amines to manufacture alkylamines.

The present invention relates to a transition metal complex having a PNNP4 ligand, which is easy to manufacture and handle and is relatively inexpensively available, and a method for manufacturing the same, as well as a method using this transition metal complex as a catalyst for hydrogenation reduction of ketones, esters and amides to manufacture corresponding alcohols, aldehydes, hemiacetals and hemiaminals, a method using this transition metal complex as a catalyst for oxidation of alcohols, hemiacetals and hemiaminals to manufacture corresponding carbonyl compounds, and a method using this transition metal complex as a catalyst for dehydrogenation condensation between alcohols and amines to manufacture alkylamines.

A ketorolaco derivative as shown in formula (I) has a better half-life and stability, has good pharmacokinetic properties, and has a higher stability in vitro; and as a preparation, the ketorolaco derivative can enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity. The present invention well improves the defects of frequent administration, gastrointestinal side effects, poor compliance and the like in traditional ketorolaco preparations.

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A process for producing levulinic acid includes a step of catalytic conversion of a pentose (in particular xylose or arabinose) into furfural in an organic solvent having a boiling temperature from 60° C. to 220° C., followed by a step of reduction of furfural to furfuryl alcohol, in the presence of a Lewis acid as catalyst and a protic solvent. Eventually, furfuryl alcohol is converted into levulinic acid directly or indirectly, by preliminary conversion into a levulinic acid ester and its subsequent hydrolysis. This process has a reduced environmental impact and guarantees satisfactory process yields on an industrial scale. In particular, the process allows to reduce as much as possible the formation of humins, which require complex and costly purification processes and involve a considerable reduction in the levulinic acid yields.

A process for producing levulinic acid includes a step of catalytic conversion of a pentose (in particular xylose or arabinose) into furfural in an organic solvent having a boiling temperature from 60° C. to 220° C., followed by a step of reduction of furfural to furfuryl alcohol, in the presence of a Lewis acid as catalyst and a protic solvent. Eventually, furfuryl alcohol is converted into levulinic acid directly or indirectly, by preliminary conversion into a levulinic acid ester and its subsequent hydrolysis. This process has a reduced environmental impact and guarantees satisfactory process yields on an industrial scale. In particular, the process allows to reduce as much as possible the formation of humins, which require complex and costly purification processes and involve a considerable reduction in the levulinic acid yields.

A process for producing levulinic acid includes a step of catalytic conversion of a pentose (in particular xylose or arabinose) into furfural in an organic solvent having a boiling temperature from 60° C. to 220° C., followed by a step of reduction of furfural to furfuryl alcohol, in the presence of a Lewis acid as catalyst and a protic solvent. Eventually, furfuryl alcohol is converted into levulinic acid directly or indirectly, by preliminary conversion into a levulinic acid ester and its subsequent hydrolysis. This process has a reduced environmental impact and guarantees satisfactory process yields on an industrial scale. In particular, the process allows to reduce as much as possible the formation of humins, which require complex and costly purification processes and involve a considerable reduction in the levulinic acid yields.

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.