Catalysts for the dehydration of lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof to acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof in liquid phase comprising an ionic liquid (IL) and an acid are provided.

Disclosed herein is a photocatalytic filter, which includes a plurality of cross-linked polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)/ionic liquid (IL)/TiO.sub.2 nanocomposite pellets, and a photocatalytic vessel. The plurality of cross-linked PMMA/IL/TiO.sub.2 nanocomposite pellets is placed within the photocatalytic vessel. Each cross-linked PMMA/IL/TiO.sub.2 nanocomposite pellet includes a PMMA polymeric matrix, and a plurality of IL/TiO.sub.2 core-shell microspheres dispersed within the PMMA polymeric matrix. Moreover, each IL/TiO.sub.2 core-shell microsphere includes a core of IL and a shell of TiO.sub.2 nanoparticles.

The present invention discloses a method for preparing p-hydroxycinnamate by using an ionic liquid for catalytic lignin depolymerization comprising: 1) preparation of a halogen metal-based ionic liquid: preparing the halogen metal-based ionic liquid by reacting an alkylimidazole chloride with a metal chloride by heating the same to 30 C. to 80 C. with stirring; and 2) catalytic depolymerization of lignin: mixing the halogen metal-based ionic liquid and lignin with an alcohol, and after N.sub.2 replacement, heating the solution to 140 C. to 200 C. and reacting the solution for 4-8 h while stirring to prepare high value-added chemicals with p-hydroxycinnamate as a main product. The present invention has advantages of a simple process, mild conditions, environmental kindness, and high selectivity for a main product. The ionic liquid is simple in preparation, has a good atom economy, and is recyclable. Under optimal conditions, the yield of p-hydroxycinnamate can reach 40-80 mg/g.

The invention discloses a method for preparing maleate by selective catalytic oxidation of lignin. The method uses a heteropolyacid functionalized ionic liquid as a catalyst, and an aqueous alcohol solution as a reaction medium to achieve high-efficiency selective catalytic conversion and ring opening oxidation of biomass lignin at a reaction temperature of 110-160 C. and an oxygen pressure of 0.5-1.0 MPa for 1-6 h. The selectivity of maleate is higher than 47.83%. The yield and selectivity of a single chemical derived from the depolymerization of lignin in the present invention are much higher than the prior art, and the ionic liquid catalyst exhibits outstanding advantages such as availability of recovery and recycling through simple temperature adjustment; the reaction conditions of the present invention are mild, and the process is green and safe, easy to operate, and available for batch and continuous production. The invention provides a new green way for preparing bulk chemicals like maleate from reproducible raw materials such as lignin.

The invention relates to a composition for generating oxygen, comprising at least one oxygen source, and at least one ionic liquid comprising a cation and an anion, wherein the oxygen source is a peroxide compound, the ionic liquid is in the liquid state at least in a temperature range from 10 C. to +50 C., and the anion is selected from metallate anions.

Methods for making acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof by contacting a feed stream containing lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof with a molten salt catalyst comprising an ionic liquid (IL) and an acid in liquid phase are provided.

A method of preparing bio-polyols from epoxidized fatty acid esters, wherein the bio-polyols are synthesized via hydroxylation with epoxidized fatty acid esters and ring-opening reagent, using the acidic ionic liquids as catalysts. The bio-polyols are used to synthesize bio-polyurethane and bio-polyurethane foams. The acidic ionic liquids in this process is used in esterification, epoxidation, and ring-opening reaction to synthesize bio-polyols. The ionic liquids catalysts have several advantages such as easy to separate, reusable, and may reduce pollution.

Methods for making acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof by contacting a feed stream containing lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, or mixtures thereof with a molten salt catalyst comprising an ionic liquid (IL) and an acid in liquid phase are provided.

A liquid phase selective oxidation process is described. The process involves the partial oxidation of alkanes to partially oxidized products. A lower alkane, a solvent, and a soluble metal catalyst are contacted in the presence of an oxidizing agent in a reaction zone under partial oxidation conditions to produce the partially oxidized products. The partially oxidized products include one or more of lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl ketones, and lower alkyl acetates. The soluble metal catalyst is a soluble metal salt of cobalt, manganese, chromium, titanium, copper, nickel, vanadium, iron, molybdenum, tin, cerium, zirconium, or combinations thereof, and the promoter comprises a bromine source, an imide source, or combinations thereof.

The present invention is directed to a device for generating oxygen, comprising at least one oxygen source, at least one ionic liquid, and at least one metal salt, wherein the oxygen source comprises a peroxide compound, the ionic liquid is in the liquid state at least in a temperature range from 10 C. to +50 C., and the metal salt has an organic and/or an inorganic anion, and comprises one single metal or two or more different metals. The present invention also relates to charge components for filling or refilling the devices, and to the use of ionic liquids as dispersants or solvents for the reaction participants.