The invention relates to new compounds of formulae (IV) and (VII): (IV) (VII) wherein X represents a halogen atom selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine and R is a hydrocarbyl radical, said compounds being useful as precursors and/or intermediates for the preparation of 4,4dihalobenzophenones of formula (I): (I) wherein X is as defined above.

##STR00001##

The invention relates to new compounds of formulae (IV) and (VII): (IV) (VII) wherein X represents a halogen atom selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine and R is a hydrocarbyl radical, said compounds being useful as precursors and/or intermediates for the preparation of 4,4dihalobenzophenones of formula (I): (I) wherein X is as defined above.

##STR00001##

The invention relates to new compounds of formula (I): wherein X bromine and iodine, which are useful for the preparation of 4,4dihalobenzophenones of formula (III): wherein X is as defined above.

##STR00001##

The invention relates to new compounds of formula (I): wherein X bromine and iodine, which are useful for the preparation of 4,4dihalobenzophenones of formula (III): wherein X is as defined above.

##STR00001##

A process is provided for converting mevalonic acid into various useful products and derivatives. More particularly, the process comprises reacting mevalonic acid, or a solution comprising mevalonic acid, in the presence of a solid catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure to thereby form various biobased products. The process may also comprise: (a) providing a microbial organism that expresses a biosynthetic mevalonic acid pathway; (b) growing the microbial organism in fermentation medium comprising suitable carbon substrates, whereby biobased mevalonic acid is produced; and (c) reacting the biobased mevalonic acid in the presence of a solid catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure to yield various biobased products.

A process is provided for converting mevalonic acid into various useful products and derivatives. More particularly, the process comprises reacting mevalonic acid, or a solution comprising mevalonic acid, in the presence of a solid catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure to thereby form various biobased products. The process may also comprise: (a) providing a microbial organism that expresses a biosynthetic mevalonic acid pathway; (b) growing the microbial organism in fermentation medium comprising suitable carbon substrates, whereby biobased mevalonic acid is produced; and (c) reacting the biobased mevalonic acid in the presence of a solid catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure to yield various biobased products.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing 14-methyl-16-oxabicyclo-[10.3.1]pentadecenesin a two-step synthesis from 3-methyl-1,5-cyclopentadecane-dione as starting material.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing 14-methyl-16-oxabicyclo-[10.3.1]pentadecenesin a two-step synthesis from 3-methyl-1,5-cyclopentadecane-dione as starting material.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing 14-methyl-16-oxabicyclo-[10.3.1]pentadecenesin a two-step synthesis from 3-methyl-1,5-cyclopentadecane-dione as starting material.

Methods for making acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof by contacting a stream containing hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxypropionic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof with either an active catalyst containing an amorphous and partially-dehydrated phosphate salt or a precursor catalyst containing a crystalline phosphate salt in a reactor with a low corrosion rate are provided.