The invention provides a polycondensation catalyst for producing polyester by an esterification reaction or a transesterification reaction of a dicarboxylic acid or an ester-forming derivative thereof and a glycol, wherein the polycondensation catalyst comprises particles of a water-insoluble or hardly water-soluble phosphate having on the surfaces a coating layer of titanic acid in an amount, of 0.1 to 100 parts by weight in terms of TiO.sub.2 per 100 parts by weight of the phosphate.

A method of removing CO from a mixture of CO and saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons CO to CO.sub.2 is provided. In one embodiment, the method is to contact feed stream with an oxygen transfer agent; and then oxidize at least a portion of the CO to CO.sub.2 to produce a stream enriched in CO.sub.2. The saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not further oxidized during the oxidation. The oxygen transfer agent includes at least one of: i) water; ii) at least one reducible metal oxide; iii) at least one reducible chalcogen; or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the CO is converted to methane. The unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not hydrogenated. In both of these alternatives, the CO.sub.2 or methane are then removed. Systems for removing the CO are also provided.

In various embodiments, an air purifier capable of destroying and deactivating airborne contaminants such as SARS-CoV-2 is described. The air purifier comprises a photocatalytic system comprising at least one photoactivated semiconductor photocatalyst and a lamp configured to irradiate and excite the at least one photoactivated semiconductor photocatalyst to generate reductive and/or oxidative reactive species from oxygen and/or water on the photocatalyst surface. In various embodiments, the photocatalytic system comprises a stack of PCB cards, each card having a photocatalytic layer disposed thereon, or a 3-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3-DOM) structure comprising an open cell lattice.

A process for producing functionalized organic molecules having 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The method includes the step of contacting carbon dioxide as the only gas, or a gas mixture that includes carbon dioxide and methane, in the presence of water, with a catalyst that includes permanently polarized hydroxyapatite.

A method for preparing a catalyst for a dehydration reaction of 3-hydroxypropionic acid, the catalyst for dehydration reaction of 3-hydroxypropionic acid, and a method for producing acrylic acid using the same.

A process for synthesizing an azo compound by oxidation of a hydrogen compound in the presence of a catalyst and a compound of formula (I) is described in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3
(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)C(PO.sub.3(R.sub.3).sub.2).sub.2  (I)
are as defined. The use of a compound of formula (I) as complexing agent for a catalyst is also described.

In various embodiments, an air purifier capable of destroying and deactivating airborne contaminants such as SARS-CoV-2 is described. The air purifier comprises a photocatalytic system comprising at least one photoactivated semiconductor photocatalyst and a lamp configured to irradiate and excite the at least one photoactivated semiconductor photocatalyst to generate reductive and/or oxidative reactive species from oxygen and/or water on the photocatalyst surface. In various embodiments, the photocatalytic system comprises a stack of PCB cards, each card having a photocatalytic layer disposed thereon, or a 3-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3-DOM) structure comprising an open cell lattice.

A photocatalytic filter including first photocatalytic particles each of which is a composite of an adsorbent and titanium apatite, second photocatalytic particles each of which is glass coated with titanium apatite, a light source configured to emit ultraviolet rays, and a container accommodating the first photocatalytic particles, the second photocatalytic particles, and the light source.

The present invention relates to the use of haloapatites as catalysts of the dehydration reaction of α-hydroxylated carboxylic acids or acid esters, in particular of lactic acid or of methyl lactate, and also to a process for producing unsaturated carboxylic acids or acid esters, in particular acrylic acid or methyl acrylate, in the gas phase in a stainless steel reactor, in the presence of such a catalyst.

A transesterification catalyst that is heterogeneous and a method for preparing said transesterification catalyst are provided. The catalyst can be used in a variety of transesterification reactor configurations including CSTR (continuous stirred tank reactors), ebullated (or ebullating) beds or any other fluidized bed reactors, and PFR (plug flow, fixed bed reactors). The catalyst can be used for manufacturing commercial grade biodiesel, biolubricants and glycerin.