The present invention relates to kinetic resolution of racemic δ-hydroxyl ester via asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation and an application thereof. In the presence of chiral spiro pyridyl phosphine ligand Iridium catalyst and base, racemic δ-hydroxyl esters were subjected to asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation to obtain extent optical purity chiral δ-hydroxyl esters and corresponding 1,5-diols. The method is a new, efficient, highly selective, economical, desirably operable and environmentally friendly method suitable for industrial production. An optically active chiral δ-hydroxyl ester and 1,5-diols can be obtained at very high enantioselectivity and yield with relatively low usage of catalyst. The chiral δ-hydroxyl ester and 1,5-diols obtained by using the method can be used as a critical raw material for asymmetric synthesis of chiral drugs (R)-lisofylline and natural drugs (+)-civet, (−)-indolizidine 167B and (−)-coniine.

This invention relates to a process for preparing succinic acid and succinate ester from a succinic acid salt in fermentation broth. In the first stage of this invention, renewable carbon resources are utilized to produce succinic acid through biological fermentation. The succinic acid salt in the fermentation process is subjected to double displacement reaction with a strong acid leading to release of succinic acid. Succinic acid is recovered by fractional crystallization integrated with simulated moving bed chromatography to produce succinic acid and succinate ester.

This invention relates to a process for preparing succinic acid and succinate ester from a succinic acid salt in fermentation broth. In the first stage of this invention, renewable carbon resources are utilized to produce succinic acid through biological fermentation. The succinic acid salt in the fermentation process is subjected to double displacement reaction with a strong acid leading to release of succinic acid. Succinic acid is recovered by fractional crystallization integrated with simulated moving bed chromatography to produce succinic acid and succinate ester.

A process is described for making a biobased propylene glycol product at least in part from a carbohydrate-derived feed, wherein a feed comprised of a lactic acid ester is reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, in a nonaqueous solvent in which lactide may be essentially wholly solubilized at the conditions under which the reaction is carried out, so that lactide does not precipitate out to an extent whereby plugging of the reactor or fouling of the hydrogenation catalyst is observed.

A process is described for making a biobased propylene glycol product at least in part from a carbohydrate-derived feed, wherein a feed comprised of a lactic acid ester is reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, in a nonaqueous solvent in which lactide may be essentially wholly solubilized at the conditions under which the reaction is carried out, so that lactide does not precipitate out to an extent whereby plugging of the reactor or fouling of the hydrogenation catalyst is observed.

A process is described for making a biobased propylene glycol product at least in part from a carbohydrate-derived feed, wherein a feed comprised of a lactic acid ester is reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, in a nonaqueous solvent in which lactide may be essentially wholly solubilized at the conditions under which the reaction is carried out, so that lactide does not precipitate out to an extent whereby plugging of the reactor or fouling of the hydrogenation catalyst is observed.

Methods of forming a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 diol compound, the methods including a first step of reacting a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 lactone; and a subsequent step of reacting the lactone with hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature. Also disclosed are methods of forming a solvent, the methods including reacting a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a solvent. Further disclosed herein are methods that include reacting mevalonolactone with hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure to form a diol compound.

Methods of forming a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 diol compound, the methods including a first step of reacting a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 lactone; and a subsequent step of reacting the lactone with hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature. Also disclosed are methods of forming a solvent, the methods including reacting a C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a solvent. Further disclosed herein are methods that include reacting mevalonolactone with hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure to form a diol compound.

Shaped porous carbon products and processes for preparing these products are provided. The shaped porous carbon products can be used, for example, as catalyst supports and adsorbents. Catalyst compositions including these shaped porous carbon products, processes of preparing the catalyst compositions, and various processes of using the shaped porous carbon products and catalyst compositions are also provided.

Shaped porous carbon products and processes for preparing these products are provided. The shaped porous carbon products can be used, for example, as catalyst supports and adsorbents. Catalyst compositions including these shaped porous carbon products, processes of preparing the catalyst compositions, and various processes of using the shaped porous carbon products and catalyst compositions are also provided.