The disclosure provides methodology for the synthesis of mono-alkylated cyclopentadiene structures, which can be obtained via fulvene intermediates. In one embodiment, the cyclopentadiene ring is substituted with a trialkylsilyl moiety, which enables the further reaction with certain metal halides to form metal adducts. For example, the monoalkyl cyclopentadienes substituted with a trimethylsilyl group can be reacted with TiCl.sub.4 to provide R*CpTiCl.sub.3 complexes, wherein R* is a group of the formula

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are as defined herein.

The present disclosure provides methods to produce para-xylene, toluene, and other compounds from renewable sources (e.g., cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, sugar) and ethylene in the presence of a catalyst. For example, cellulose and/or hemicellulose may be converted into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), which may be converted into para-xylene by cycloaddition of ethylene to DMF. Para-xylene can then be oxidized to form terephthalic acid.

A method for producing alkyl substituted benzene includes (a) providing a starting material selecting from the group consisting of furan, an alkyl substituted furan, 2-methylfuran, 2,3-dimethylfuran, 2,4-dimethylfuran, 2,5-dimethylfuran, 2,5-hexanedione, and combinations thereof, and (b) subjecting the starting material to a cycloaddition reaction with a monoene in the absence of solvent and in the presence of the metal triflate catalyst to produce an alkyl substituted benzene.

A method for producing alkyl substituted benzene includes (a) providing a starting material selecting from the group consisting of furan, an alkyl substituted furan, 2-methylfuran, 2,3-dimethylfuran, 2,4-dimethylfuran, 2,5-dimethylfuran, 2,5-hexanedione, and combinations thereof, and (b) subjecting the starting material to a cycloaddition reaction with a monoene in the absence of solvent and in the presence of the metal triflate catalyst to produce an alkyl substituted benzene.

The present disclosure provides methods to produce para-xylene, toluene, and other compounds from renewable sources (e.g., cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, sugar) and ethylene in the presence of a catalyst. For example, cellulose and/or hemicellulose may be converted into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), which may be converted into para-xylene by cycloaddition of ethylene to DMF. Para-xylene can then be oxidized to form terephthalic acid.

The present disclosure provides methods to produce para-xylene, toluene, and other compounds from renewable sources (e.g., cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, sugar) and ethylene in the presence of a catalyst. For example, cellulose and/or hemicellulose may be converted into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), which may be converted into para-xylene by cycloaddition of ethylene to DMF. Para-xylene can then be oxidized to form terephthalic acid.

This disclosure relates to the conversion of methane to hydrocarbon of greater molecular weight, including aromatic hydrocarbon such as xylenes, to materials and equipment useful in such conversion, and to the use of such conversion for, e.g., natural gas upgrading.

This disclosure relates to the conversion of methane to hydrocarbon of greater molecular weight, including aromatic hydrocarbon such as xylenes, to materials and equipment useful in such conversion, and to the use of such conversion for, e.g., natural gas upgrading.

Processes are described for making biobased isoprene, wherein a biobased isobutene prepared from acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst is combined with a formaldehyde source to form a reaction mixture, and the reaction mixture is reacted to yield biobased isoprene. In certain embodiments, methyl-tert-butyl ether prepared by reacting the same biobased isobutene with methanol serves as a formaldehyde source, being oxidatively cracked to produce formaldehyde as well as isobutene for being converted to the biobased isoprene.

Processes are described for making biobased isoprene, wherein a biobased isobutene prepared from acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst is combined with a formaldehyde source to form a reaction mixture, and the reaction mixture is reacted to yield biobased isoprene. In certain embodiments, methyl-tert-butyl ether prepared by reacting the same biobased isobutene with methanol serves as a formaldehyde source, being oxidatively cracked to produce formaldehyde as well as isobutene for being converted to the biobased isoprene.