Disclosed are integrated systems and methods for the conversion of epoxides to beta lactones and to multiple C.sub.3 products and/or C.sub.4 products.

A method for producing a cyclic ether represented by formula (2) includes reacting a 2-hydroxy cyclic ether, represented by formula (1), with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst.

A method for producing a cyclic ether represented by formula (2) includes reacting a 2-hydroxy cyclic ether, represented by formula (1), with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst.

The disclosure provides a system for production of reactive intermediates from lignocellulosic biomass. The reactive intermediates can be used as platform chemicals for biological conversions or can be further catalytically upgraded to be used as drop in reagents for fuels. The disclosure provides methods and compositions useful for processing biomass to biofuels and intermediates.

The disclosure provides a system for production of reactive intermediates from lignocellulosic biomass. The reactive intermediates can be used as platform chemicals for biological conversions or can be further catalytically upgraded to be used as drop in reagents for fuels. The disclosure provides methods and compositions useful for processing biomass to biofuels and intermediates.

The present invention provides a process for the production of 1,4-BDO and THF from furan, said process comprising: (i) contacting furan with hydrogen and water in a reactor in the presence of a catalytic composition, wherein the furan and water are contacted in the presence of a solvent, said solvent being selected from one or more of THF, 1,4-BDO and NBA, and converting at least a portion of said furan to 1,4-BDO and THF; (ii) producing a reactor product stream comprising gases, water, THF, 1,4-BDO and furan; (iii) separating gases from the reactor product stream; (iv) then separating at least a portion of each of the THF and 1,4-BDO from said reactor product stream; and (v) recycling the remainder of the reactor product stream, comprising water, optionally furan, and at least one of THF, 1,4-BDO and NBA, to the reactor.

The present invention provides a process for the production of 1,4-BDO and THF from furan, said process comprising: (i) contacting furan with hydrogen and water in a reactor in the presence of a catalytic composition, wherein the furan and water are contacted in the presence of a solvent, said solvent being selected from one or more of THF, 1,4-BDO and NBA, and converting at least a portion of said furan to 1,4-BDO and THF; (ii) producing a reactor product stream comprising gases, water, THF, 1,4-BDO and furan; (iii) separating gases from the reactor product stream; (iv) then separating at least a portion of each of the THF and 1,4-BDO from said reactor product stream; and (v) recycling the remainder of the reactor product stream, comprising water, optionally furan, and at least one of THF, 1,4-BDO and NBA, to the reactor.

Certain embodiments are directed to an integrated process for the production of Maleic Anhydride (MAN), 1,4 Butanediol (BDO), Gamma-ButyroLactone (GBL), and PolyButylene Terephthalate (PBT) utilizing NC4 rich stream from a recycle stream after or before processing by a Total Hydrogenation Unit (THU).

Certain embodiments are directed to an integrated process for the production of Maleic Anhydride (MAN), 1,4 Butanediol (BDO), Gamma-ButyroLactone (GBL), and PolyButylene Terephthalate (PBT) utilizing NC4 rich stream from a recycle stream after or before processing by a Total Hydrogenation Unit (THU).

A levulinic acid composition A having: a. at least 95 wt. % of levulinic acid; b. between 5 wppm and 5000 wppm of formic acid; and c. less than 1000 wppm of angelica lactone, based on the total weight of the composition. A process for the isolation of a levulinic acid composition, having the following steps: a. performing acid catalyzed hydrolysis of a C6 carbohydrate-containing feedstock to obtain reaction product X, b. subjecting of reaction product X to solid-liquid separation to provide a composition 1, c. feeding composition 1 to at least two purification steps to treat composition 1 to obtain a levulinic acid composition, wherein a second or a further purification step is a melt crystallization step.