The present invention relates to process intensification, and renewable processing routes for polymer production, for example the solar production of Nylon 6,6 and precursors relevant for the Nylon 6,6 production (such as hydrogen, adiponitrile and hexanediamine). The invention deals with the integration of solar energy into the process, specifically aims at petrochemical-free processing, and deals with reformulation of traditional (linear) processes into circular (closed cycle) processing approaches and sustainable processes.

The present invention relates to process intensification, and renewable processing routes for polymer production, for example the solar production of Nylon 6,6 and precursors relevant for the Nylon 6,6 production (such as hydrogen, adiponitrile and hexanediamine). The invention deals with the integration of solar energy into the process, specifically aims at petrochemical-free processing, and deals with reformulation of traditional (linear) processes into circular (closed cycle) processing approaches and sustainable processes.

In one aspect, methods of depolymerization are described herein comprising providing a synthetic polymer including a hydroxylated aliphatic backbone or hydroxylated backbone segments, and homolytically activing OH bonds of the hydroxyl groups. Homolytic activation induces the formation of alkoxy radical intermediates followed by CC bond ?-scission events breaking the polymer backbone into depolymerization products. In some embodiments, depolymerization products comprise alkyl radical intermediates reduced by hydrogen atom transfer. Moreover, in some embodiments, the depolymerization products are further reacted into difunctionalized products or comprise functionalities derived from the polymer structure. The difunctionalized products can subsequently be employed in polymerization processes for the production of additional synthetic polymers.

In one aspect, methods of depolymerization are described herein comprising providing a synthetic polymer including a hydroxylated aliphatic backbone or hydroxylated backbone segments, and homolytically activing OH bonds of the hydroxyl groups. Homolytic activation induces the formation of alkoxy radical intermediates followed by CC bond ?-scission events breaking the polymer backbone into depolymerization products. In some embodiments, depolymerization products comprise alkyl radical intermediates reduced by hydrogen atom transfer. Moreover, in some embodiments, the depolymerization products are further reacted into difunctionalized products or comprise functionalities derived from the polymer structure. The difunctionalized products can subsequently be employed in polymerization processes for the production of additional synthetic polymers.

Disclosed is a process for removing 2-cyanocyclopentylideneimine (CPI) from a mixture containing CPI and dinitrile. The process comprises reacting CPI with an amine. The reaction may take place in the presence of water, and optionally, a catalyst. CPI is converted to products with a low volatility compared to the dinitrile.

Disclosed is a process for removing 2-cyanocyclopentylideneimine (CPI) from a mixture containing CPI and dinitrile. The process comprises reacting CPI with an amine. The reaction may take place in the presence of water, and optionally, a catalyst. CPI is converted to products with a low volatility compared to the dinitrile.

An electrochemical apparatus includes an electrolyte, where the electrolyte includes a carboxylate compound and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). Based on a total weight of the electrolyte, percentages of the carboxylate compound and FEC are w.sub.1 and w.sub.2 respectively, where 5%?w.sub.1?60%, 2%?w.sub.2?12%, and 2?w.sub.1/w.sub.2?20. The electrochemical apparatus delivers excellent fast charging performance and high-temperature interval cycle performance.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a method that includes a first reacting a molecule from at least one of a carboxylic acid, an ester of a carboxylic acid, and/or an anhydride with ammonia to form a nitrile, where the first reacting is catalyzed using an acid catalyst. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the molecule may include at least one of acetic acid, lactic acid, and/or 3-hydroxyproprionic acid (3-HPA). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the molecule may include at least one of methyl acetate, ethyl lactate, and/or ethyl 3-hydroxypropanoate (ethyl 3-HP). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the anhydride may be acetic anhydride.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a method that includes a first reacting a molecule from at least one of a carboxylic acid, an ester of a carboxylic acid, and/or an anhydride with ammonia to form a nitrile, where the first reacting is catalyzed using an acid catalyst. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the molecule may include at least one of acetic acid, lactic acid, and/or 3-hydroxyproprionic acid (3-HPA). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the molecule may include at least one of methyl acetate, ethyl lactate, and/or ethyl 3-hydroxypropanoate (ethyl 3-HP). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the anhydride may be acetic anhydride.

The present invention provides an electrolytic solution capable of providing an electrochemical device (e.g., a lithium ion secondary battery) or a module that is less likely to generate gas even in high-temperature storage and has high capacity retention even after high-temperature storage. The present invention relates to an electrolytic solution which may contain a compound represented by Y.sup.21R.sup.21CCY.sup.22R.sup.22 wherein R.sup.21 and R.sup.22 may be the same as or different from each other, and are each H, an alkyl group, or a halogenated alkyl group; Y.sup.21 and Y.sup.22 may be the same as or different from each other, and are each OR.sup.23 or a halogen atom; and R.sup.23 is H, an alkyl group, or a halogenated alkyl group.