The present invention relates to a process for the direct conversion of cellulose into glycols by using a non noble metal supported zeolite catalyst selected from Al—Ni—W/HY, Al—Ni—W/NaY and Al—Ni—W/Na-ZSM-5, wherein the ratio of the metal in the catalyst is in the range of 15%-12%-30% to 0%-3%-5%.

The present invention relates to a process for the direct conversion of cellulose into glycols by using a non noble metal supported zeolite catalyst selected from Al—Ni—W/HY, Al—Ni—W/NaY and Al—Ni—W/Na-ZSM-5, wherein the ratio of the metal in the catalyst is in the range of 15%-12%-30% to 0%-3%-5%.

The present application provides a composite catalyst and use thereof in preparing propylene glycol, where the composite catalyst includes: a main catalyst; and an assistant catalyst, forming on the main catalyst; the assistant catalyst is a magnesium hydroxide shell with a cage-like shape forming on the surface of the main catalyst, and the main catalyst is located inside the magnesium hydroxide shell.

The present application provides a composite catalyst and use thereof in preparing propylene glycol, where the composite catalyst includes: a main catalyst; and an assistant catalyst, forming on the main catalyst; the assistant catalyst is a magnesium hydroxide shell with a cage-like shape forming on the surface of the main catalyst, and the main catalyst is located inside the magnesium hydroxide shell.

Provided is a method for preparing a diol. In the method, a saccharide and hydrogen as raw materials are contacted with a catalyst in water to prepare the diol. The employed catalyst is a composite catalyst comprised of a main catalyst and a cocatalyst, wherein the main catalyst is a water-insoluble acid-resistant alloy; and the cocatalyst is a soluble tungstate and/or soluble tungsten compound. The method uses an acid-resistant, inexpensive and stable alloy needless of a support as a main catalyst, and can guarantee a high yield of the diol in the case where the production cost is relatively low.

Provided is a method for preparing a diol. In the method, a saccharide and hydrogen as raw materials are contacted with a catalyst in water to prepare the diol. The employed catalyst is a composite catalyst comprised of a main catalyst and a cocatalyst, wherein the main catalyst is a water-insoluble acid-resistant alloy; and the cocatalyst is a soluble tungstate and/or soluble tungsten compound. The method uses an acid-resistant, inexpensive and stable alloy needless of a support as a main catalyst, and can guarantee a high yield of the diol in the case where the production cost is relatively low.

The invention provides a process for refining bio-based propylene glycol, wherein impurities having boiling points close to that of propylene glycol are separated. In this process, C.sub.5-C.sub.20 oleophilic alcohol compounds, C.sub.5-C.sub.20 alkanes and/or C.sub.4-C.sub.20 oleophilic ketone compounds are subjected to azeotropism as an azeotropic solvent together with the bio-based propylene glycol to obtain an azeotrope containing propylene glycol. Then the azeotropic solvent in the azeotrope is separated to obtain a crude propylene glycol which is further purified to obtain propylene glycol.

The invention provides a process for refining bio-based propylene glycol, wherein impurities having boiling points close to that of propylene glycol are separated. In this process, C.sub.5-C.sub.20 oleophilic alcohol compounds, C.sub.5-C.sub.20 alkanes and/or C.sub.4-C.sub.20 oleophilic ketone compounds are subjected to azeotropism as an azeotropic solvent together with the bio-based propylene glycol to obtain an azeotrope containing propylene glycol. Then the azeotropic solvent in the azeotrope is separated to obtain a crude propylene glycol which is further purified to obtain propylene glycol.

Provided is an oxidizing composition, in which a liquid medium is substantially inert in the presence of an oxidizing electrophile contained in the liquid medium. The composition comprises (a) an oxidizing electrophile comprising a main group element in oxidized form and at least one conjugate anion of an oxygen acid; (b) a non-oxidizable liquid selected from a fluorinated hydrocarbon, a sulfone, a deactivated arene, a deactivated aliphatic, a deactivated heteroarene, a deactivated heteroaliphatic, and a combination thereof; and (c) optionally one or more salt additives. Further provided are a method of using the oxidizing composition to oxidize a substrate and a method of generating and/or regenerating an oxidizing electrophile comprising a main group element.

A process for the preparing glycols from a lignocellulosic solid biomass involves contacting the biomass with an organic solvent comprising a low boiling point alcohol and a pre-treatment acid at a temperature in a range from 80 to 220° C. and a pressure in a range from 1 to 50 bara. The resulting mixture, having >20 wt. % water, is separated into a pre-treated solid residue comprising cellulose and a liquid stream comprising dissolved lignin and hemicellulose. The pre-treated solid residue is subjected to a hydrogenolysis reaction, generating a glycols stream, a lights stream, comprising a first portion of organic solvent, and a heavies stream. At least of part of the liquid stream is separated to produce a second portion of organic solvent and a solid residue of lignin and hemicellulose. At least part of the first and second portion of organic solvent is recycled to the contacting step.