A process includes reacting a feed stream containing ethanol and optionally acetaldehyde in a dehydration reactor in the presence of a dehydration catalyst system having a Group 4 or Group 5 metal oxide and a support. The process includes obtaining a product stream containing butadiene from the dehydration reactor. Another process includes reacting a feed stream containing ethanol and optionally acetaldehyde in a dehydration reactor in the presence of a dehydration catalyst system containing a tungsten oxide supported on a zeolite or a tantalum oxide supported on a zeolite. The process includes obtaining a product stream containing butadiene from the dehydration reactor.

Provided herein are methods for producing cyclic and acyclic ketones from trimerization and dimerization of alkyl ketones, including for example methyl ketones. Such cyclic and acyclic ketones may be suitable for use as fuel and lubricant precursors, and may be hydrodeoxygenated to form their corresponding cycloalkanes and alkanes. Such cycloalkanes and alkanes may be suitable for use as fuels, including jet fuels, and lubricants.

Provided herein are methods for producing cyclic and acyclic ketones from trimerization and dimerization of alkyl ketones, including for example methyl ketones. Such cyclic and acyclic ketones may be suitable for use as fuel and lubricant precursors, and may be hydrodeoxygenated to form their corresponding cycloalkanes and alkanes. Such cycloalkanes and alkanes may be suitable for use as fuels, including jet fuels, and lubricants.

The present invention discloses processes for producing normal alpha olefins, such as 1-hexene, 1-octene, and 1-decene, in a multistep synthesis scheme. Generally, a first normal alpha olefin is subjected to an olefin metathesis step to form a linear internal olefin, which is then subjected to an isomerization-hydroformylation step to form a linear aldehyde, which is then subjected to a dehydroformylation step to form a second normal alpha olefin.

The present invention discloses processes for producing normal alpha olefins, such as 1-hexene, 1-octene, and 1-decene, in a multistep synthesis scheme. Generally, a first normal alpha olefin is subjected to an olefin metathesis step to form a linear internal olefin, which is then subjected to an isomerization-hydroformylation step to form a linear aldehyde, which is then subjected to a dehydroformylation step to form a second normal alpha olefin.

A process includes reacting a feed stream containing ethanol and optionally acetaldehyde in a dehydration reactor in the presence of a dehydration catalyst system having a Group 4 or Group 5 metal oxide and a support. The process includes obtaining a product stream containing butadiene from the dehydration reactor. Another process includes reacting a feed stream containing ethanol and optionally acetaldehyde in a dehydration reactor in the presence of a dehydration catalyst system containing a tungsten oxide supported on a zeolite or a tantalum oxide supported on a zeolite. The process includes obtaining a product stream containing butadiene from the dehydration reactor.

A process includes reacting a feed stream containing ethanol and optionally acetaldehyde in a dehydration reactor in the presence of a dehydration catalyst system having a Group 4 or Group 5 metal oxide and a support. The process includes obtaining a product stream containing butadiene from the dehydration reactor. Another process includes reacting a feed stream containing ethanol and optionally acetaldehyde in a dehydration reactor in the presence of a dehydration catalyst system containing a tungsten oxide supported on a zeolite or a tantalum oxide supported on a zeolite. The process includes obtaining a product stream containing butadiene from the dehydration reactor.

Provided herein are methods for producing ,-unsaturated ketones from the condensation of methyl ketones in the presence of an amine catalyst. Such amine catalysts may be supported, for example, on a silica-alumina support. Such amine catalysts may be used in the presence of an additional acid. The ,-unsaturated ketones may be produced by dimerization and/or timerization of the methyl ketones. Such ,-unsaturated ketones may be suitable for use in producing fuels, gasoline additives, and/or lubricants, or precursors thereof. The methyl ketones may be obtained from renewable sources, such as by the fermentation of biomass.

Provided are a precursor compound of a tetracyclic hydrocarbon and a preparation method thereof, and a tetracyclic hydrocarbon and a preparation method and use thereof. The precursor compound of the tetracyclic hydrocarbon with a structure shown in formula I has a polycyclic structure. The precursor compound is subjected to hydrodeoxygenation so as to be prepared into the tetracyclic hydrocarbon with a structure shown in formula II that has a high density (0.986 g/cm.sup.3), a high calorific value (41.14 MJ/L), and a low freezing point (less than ?60? C.).

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Provided herein are methods for producing cyclic and acyclic ketones from trimerization and dimerization of alkyl ketones, including for example methyl ketones. Such cyclic and acyclic ketones may be suitable for use as fuel and lubricant precursors, and may be hydrodeoxygenated to form their corresponding cycloalkanes and alkanes. Such cycloalkanes and alkanes may be suitable for use as fuels, including jet fuels, and lubricants.