The present invention relates to a method for recycling and/or disposal of halocarbons, particularly fluorinated alkanes, such as trifluoromethane, by reacting said halocarbons with sulfur trioxide, particularly to form halide sulfonic acids and sulfur dioxide.

A compound of the formula (I)
ALK—SO.sub.2—O—O—SO.sub.2OX, wherein ALK is a branched or unbranched alkyl group, especially a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, isobutyl group, or a higher alkyl group, and X=hydrogen, zinc, Aluminium, an alkali or alkaline earth metal.

A compound of the formula (I)
ALK—SO.sub.2—O—O—SO.sub.2OX, wherein ALK is a branched or unbranched alkyl group, especially a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, isobutyl group, or a higher alkyl group, and X=hydrogen, zinc, Aluminium, an alkali or alkaline earth metal.

A compound of the formula (I)
ALK—SO.sub.2—O—O—SO.sub.2OX, wherein ALK is a branched or unbranched alkyl group, especially a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, isobutyl group, or a higher alkyl group, and X=hydrogen, zinc, Aluminium, an alkali or alkaline earth metal.

Sulfonated reaction products formed from internal vinylidene olefins may display surfactant properties differing from those of the corresponding reaction products formed from sulfonation of alpha olefins and internal olefins having a like number of carbon atoms. Methods for sulfonating internal vinylidene olefins may comprise: providing an internal vinylidene olefin comprising a vinylidene group; exposing the internal vinylidene olefin to a sulfonating reagent; and reacting the sulfonating reagent with the internal vinylidene olefin to form a sulfonated reaction product comprising at least one sulfonated compound formed from the internal vinylidene olefin. Suitable sulfonation conditions may include sulfur trioxide as a sulfonating reagent under thin film or falling film conditions.

The present invention relates to a method for producing one or more low molecular weight aromatic lignin-derived compounds. The method preferably comprises providing lignocellulosic material, subjecting the lignocellulosic material to a pulping process, separating pulp to provide a substantially pulp-free process stream comprising a modified lignin-derived component, isolating the modified lignin-derived component, subjecting the isolated modified lignin-derived component to a decomposition step comprising oxidative cracking (cracking and oxidizing) or reducing under the influence of a catalyst or electro-oxidation, and subjecting the resulting products to an isolation step, to provide a low molecular weight aromatic lignin-derived compound. Said compound may be further modified, e.g. by annulation. The inventive method preferably comprises further oxidizing said compound to a redox active compound. Additionally, the present invention relates to compounds obtainable by the inventive method and to an assembly for carrying out the inventive method. Furthermore, the present invention refers to a method for providing an existing pulp and/or paper manufacturing plant with said assembly.

The present invention relates to a method for producing one or more low molecular weight aromatic lignin-derived compounds. The method preferably comprises providing lignocellulosic material, subjecting the lignocellulosic material to a pulping process, separating pulp to provide a substantially pulp-free process stream comprising a modified lignin-derived component, isolating the modified lignin-derived component, subjecting the isolated modified lignin-derived component to a decomposition step comprising oxidative cracking (cracking and oxidizing) or reducing under the influence of a catalyst or electro-oxidation, and subjecting the resulting products to an isolation step, to provide a low molecular weight aromatic lignin-derived compound. Said compound may be further modified, e.g. by annulation. The inventive method preferably comprises further oxidizing said compound to a redox active compound. Additionally, the present invention relates to compounds obtainable by the inventive method and to an assembly for carrying out the inventive method. Furthermore, the present invention refers to a method for providing an existing pulp and/or paper manufacturing plant with said assembly.

Compositions comprising a sulfonated reaction product or a salt thereof may be prepared from a biphenyl compound that has been alkylated with an olefin of formula R.sup.1R.sup.2CCH.sub.2, wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.6-C.sub.24 hydrocarbyl group, and R.sup.2 is H or a C.sub.6-C.sub.24 hydrocarbyl group. Methods for sulfonating an alkylated biphenyl compound prepared from a biphenyl compound that has been alkylated with an olefin of formula R.sup.1R.sup.2CCH.sub.2, wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.6-C.sub.24 hydrocarbyl group, and R.sup.2 is H or a C.sub.6-C.sub.24 hydrocarbyl group may comprise contacting the alkylated biphenyl compound with a sulfonating reagent; forming a sulfonated reaction product; and converting the sulfonated reaction product into a sulfonate salt.

Compositions comprising a sulfonated reaction product or a salt thereof may be prepared from a biphenyl compound that has been alkylated with an olefin of formula R.sup.1R.sup.2CCH.sub.2, wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.6-C.sub.24 hydrocarbyl group, and R.sup.2 is H or a C.sub.6-C.sub.24 hydrocarbyl group. Methods for sulfonating an alkylated biphenyl compound prepared from a biphenyl compound that has been alkylated with an olefin of formula R.sup.1R.sup.2CCH.sub.2, wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.6-C.sub.24 hydrocarbyl group, and R.sup.2 is H or a C.sub.6-C.sub.24 hydrocarbyl group may comprise contacting the alkylated biphenyl compound with a sulfonating reagent; forming a sulfonated reaction product; and converting the sulfonated reaction product into a sulfonate salt.

The invention relates to novel methods for processing lignocellulosic material. More specifically, the invention proves an integrated approach for processing cellulose to obtain paper and pulp and valorizing lignin to obtain value-added chemicals and products.