A method is disclosed for the activation of transition-metal containing phyllosilicate structures and uses of the activated phyllosilicates. The process of activation either liberates a proton or an entire hydroxyl group from the structure, creating a material with a mixed-valence state that can oxidize alcohols to aldehydes and ketones.

A process of oxidizing an alcohol for the production of its corresponding carbonyl compounds is disclosed, wherein the oxidation is performed with oxygen or gases containing oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least a gold compound and a copper compound. Said alcohol oxidation by gaseous oxidant can achieve a high yield and selectivity with minimized degradation products or waste organic solvents.

A process of oxidizing an alcohol for the production of its corresponding carbonyl compounds is disclosed, wherein the oxidation is performed with oxygen or gases containing oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least a gold compound and a copper compound. Said alcohol oxidation by gaseous oxidant can achieve a high yield and selectivity with minimized degradation products or waste organic solvents.

The invention relates to a process for obtaining a formate from a reaction mixture (10) in which a polyoxometallate ion, which acts as a catalyst, is in contact with an organic material at a temperature below 120 C. to produce formic acid in an aqueous solution, with the following steps: a) separating a mixture of formic acid and water from the reaction mixture by reverse osmosis and/or as vapor (18), the vapor (18) subsequently being condensed, and b) reacting the formic acid with a hydroxide (24) in aqueous solution to produce a solution of a formate.

The invention relates to a process for obtaining a formate from a reaction mixture (10) in which a polyoxometallate ion, which acts as a catalyst, is in contact with an organic material at a temperature below 120 C. to produce formic acid in an aqueous solution, with the following steps: a) separating a mixture of formic acid and water from the reaction mixture by reverse osmosis and/or as vapor (18), the vapor (18) subsequently being condensed, and b) reacting the formic acid with a hydroxide (24) in aqueous solution to produce a solution of a formate.

The invention relates to a process for obtaining a formate from a reaction mixture (10) in which a polyoxometallate ion, which acts as a catalyst, is in contact with an organic material at a temperature below 120 C. to produce formic acid in an aqueous solution, with the following steps: a) separating a mixture of formic acid and water from the reaction mixture by reverse osmosis and/or as vapor (18), the vapor (18) subsequently being condensed, and b) reacting the formic acid with a hydroxide (24) in aqueous solution to produce a solution of a formate.

Methods for catalytic generation of formic acid at an oxygen partial pressure of less than 1 bar and regeneration of the catalyst used in this process, wherein a polyoxometallate ion of the general formula [PMo.sub.xV.sub.yO.sub.40].sup.n, which serves as the catalyst, is brought in contact with an alpha-hydroxyaldehyde, an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid, a carbohydrate, a glycoside or a polymer containing a carbon chain with at least one OH group bound as a repeatedly occurring substituent to the carbon chain and/or an O, N or S atom occurring repeatedly in the carbon chain in a liquid solution in a vessel, at a temperature above 70 C. and below 120 C.

Methods for catalytic generation of formic acid at an oxygen partial pressure of less than 1 bar and regeneration of the catalyst used in this process, wherein a polyoxometallate ion of the general formula [PMo.sub.xV.sub.yO.sub.40].sup.n, which serves as the catalyst, is brought in contact with an alpha-hydroxyaldehyde, an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid, a carbohydrate, a glycoside or a polymer containing a carbon chain with at least one OH group bound as a repeatedly occurring substituent to the carbon chain and/or an O, N or S atom occurring repeatedly in the carbon chain in a liquid solution in a vessel, at a temperature above 70 C. and below 120 C.

The subject of the present invention is a process for synthesizing bifunctional hydrocarbon-based compounds from biomass, comprising a step of fermentation of the biomass and a step of oxidation of the intermediate compounds resulting from the fermentation step.

The subject of the present invention is a process for synthesizing bifunctional hydrocarbon-based compounds from biomass, comprising a step of fermentation of the biomass and a step of oxidation of the intermediate compounds resulting from the fermentation step.