The invention relates to a compound of following formula (I): ##STR00001##
a preparation process, uses thereof and compositions containing the same, wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, represent, independently of one another, a linear, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon-based group comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, where the sum of the carbon atoms of the groups R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 ranges from 2 to 7, and where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may also form, together and with the carbon atom bearing them, a 6-, 7-, or 8-membered ring; n is an integer of between 1 and 100, limits included; A represents a sequence of one or more units chosen from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide units and mixtures thereof; the group formed by R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and the carbon atom to which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are attached has a degree of branching equal to 0, 1 or 2.

A bifunctional catalyst for example for conversion of oxygenates, the bifunctional catalyst comprising zeolite, alumina binder, Zn and P, wherein Zn is present at least partly as ZnAl.sub.2O.sub.4.

A bifunctional catalyst for example for conversion of oxygenates, the bifunctional catalyst comprising zeolite, alumina binder, Zn and P, wherein Zn is present at least partly as ZnAl.sub.2O.sub.4.

The present invention provides a compound represented by general formula (1) as well as a liquid crystal composition containing this compound and a liquid crystal display using this liquid crystal composition. Using the compound represented by general formula (1) as a component of a liquid crystal composition makes it possible to obtain a liquid crystal composition having a low viscosity (η), a high Δn, suitable T.sub.-i, high miscibility with other liquid crystal compounds, and presenting a liquid crystal phase over a wide temperature range. This is therefore extremely useful as a structural component of a liquid crystal composition for a liquid crystal display requiring a high speed response.

The present invention is related to a catalytic process, which includes catalytic compositions for depolymerisation and deoxygenation of lignin contained in the biomass for obtaining aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalytic composition consists of at least one non-noble element from group VIIIB of the periodic table supported on a mesoporous matrix composed of an inorganic oxide, which can be alumina surface-modified with a second inorganic oxide with the object of inhibiting the interaction between the active component and the support. The process of lignin depolymerisation consists of dissolving lignin in a mixture of protic liquids, reacting it I a reaction system by batch or in continuous flow at inert and/or reducing atmosphere, at a temperature of between 60 to 320° C. and a pressure of from 5 to 90 kg/cm.sup.2. When the reaction is developed into a batch system, oxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are mainly produced, both by thermal as well as catalytic depolymerisation, whereas in a continuous flow reaction system, deoxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are produced.

The present invention is related to a catalytic process, which includes catalytic compositions for depolymerisation and deoxygenation of lignin contained in the biomass for obtaining aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalytic composition consists of at least one non-noble element from group VIIIB of the periodic table supported on a mesoporous matrix composed of an inorganic oxide, which can be alumina surface-modified with a second inorganic oxide with the object of inhibiting the interaction between the active component and the support. The process of lignin depolymerisation consists of dissolving lignin in a mixture of protic liquids, reacting it I a reaction system by batch or in continuous flow at inert and/or reducing atmosphere, at a temperature of between 60 to 320° C. and a pressure of from 5 to 90 kg/cm.sup.2. When the reaction is developed into a batch system, oxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are mainly produced, both by thermal as well as catalytic depolymerisation, whereas in a continuous flow reaction system, deoxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are produced.

The present invention is related to a catalytic process, which includes catalytic compositions for depolymerisation and deoxygenation of lignin contained in the biomass for obtaining aromatic hydrocarbons. The catalytic composition consists of at least one non-noble element from group VIIIB of the periodic table supported on a mesoporous matrix composed of an inorganic oxide, which can be alumina surface-modified with a second inorganic oxide with the object of inhibiting the interaction between the active component and the support. The process of lignin depolymerisation consists of dissolving lignin in a mixture of protic liquids, reacting it I a reaction system by batch or in continuous flow at inert and/or reducing atmosphere, at a temperature of between 60 to 320° C. and a pressure of from 5 to 90 kg/cm.sup.2. When the reaction is developed into a batch system, oxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are mainly produced, both by thermal as well as catalytic depolymerisation, whereas in a continuous flow reaction system, deoxygenated aromatic hydrocarbons are produced.

A method for forming a blend of ethers from a blend of alcohols includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive distillation station where it is converted a second product blend. The second product blend typically includes a mixture of ethers. An apparatus implementing the method is also provided.

Assay methods for determining purity of a sample of a sterol are provided. These methods include providing an HPLC eluent including a sterol, other compounds related to the sterol and a mobile volatile phase; generating an aerosol of liquid droplets from the HPLC eluent; drying the liquid droplets to obtain residue particles of the sterol; contacting the residue particles of the sterol with an ion stream which applies a size-dependent electrical charge to each of the residue particles to generate an electrical signal and measuring the electrical signal to determine the purity of the sterol in the sample. The sterol can be OXY133 or OXY133 monohydrate.

A complex of formula (I) ##STR00001## wherein M is zirconium or hafnium; each X independently is a sigma ligand; L is a divalent bridge selected from —R′.sub.2C—, —R′.sub.2C—CR′.sub.2—, —R′.sub.2Si—, —R′.sub.2Si—SiR′.sub.2—, —R′.sub.2Ge—, wherein each R′ is independently a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-C.sub.20-hydrocarbyl .group optionally containing one or more silicon atoms or heteroatoms of Group 14-16 of the periodic table or fluorine atoms, and optionally two R′ groups taken together can form a ring; R.sup.2 and R.sup.2′ are each independently a C.sub.1-C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl group, —OC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group or —SC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group; R.sup.5 is a —OC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group or —SC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group, said R.sup.5 group being optionally substituted by one or more halo groups; R.sup.5′ is hydrogen or a C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group; —OC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group or —SC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group; said C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group being optionally substituted by one or more halo groups; R.sup.6 and R.sup.6′ are each independently a C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group; —OC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group or —SC.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group; each R.sup.1 and R.sup.1′ are independently —CH.sub.2R.sup.x wherein R.sup.x are each independently H, or a C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbyl group, optionally containing heteroatoms.