Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy or sugary materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy or sugary materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

Provided is a catalyst for reduction reaction with which 1,4-butanediol or tetrahydrofuran can be obtained with higher selectivity than with the related art, using a raw material derived from biomass. The catalyst is used in a reduction reaction of 3,4-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran with hydrogen, wherein the catalyst contains metal catalysts (1) and (2) below; metal catalyst (1): a catalyst containing M1 and M2 below as metal species and supported on a carrier; and metal catalyst (2): a catalyst containing M1 below as a metal species and supported on a carrier; M1: one or more selected from the group consisting of iron and elements belonging to periods 4 to 6 and groups 5 to 7 of the periodic table; and M2: one or more selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, osmium, and elements belonging to periods 4 to 6 and groups 9 to 11 of the periodic table.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy or sugary materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

A process for large scale and energy efficient product on of oxygenates from sugar is disclosed in which a sugar feedstock is introduced into a thermolytic fragmentation reactor comprising a fluidized stream of heat carrying particles. The heat carrying particles may be separated from the fluidized stream prior to cooling the fragmentation product and may be directed to a reheater to reheat the particles and recirculate the heated particles to the fragmentation reactor.

A process for large scale and energy efficient product on of oxygenates from sugar is disclosed in which a sugar feedstock is introduced into a thermolytic fragmentation reactor comprising a fluidized stream of heat carrying particles. The heat carrying particles may be separated from the fluidized stream prior to cooling the fragmentation product and may be directed to a reheater to reheat the particles and recirculate the heated particles to the fragmentation reactor.

A process for the hydrogenation of a substrate comprising a carbon heteroatom double bond in the presence of a transition metal complex comprising a tridentate or bisdentate-ligand containing a nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus atom, of which at least the N- and P- and optionally also the S-atom coordinates with the transition metal.

A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol and other C.sub.1-C.sub.3 hydroxy compounds comprising the steps of hydrogenating a composition comprising C.sub.1-C.sub.3 oxygenate compounds in the gas phase in the presence of a copper on carbon catalyst.

A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol and other C.sub.1-C.sub.3 hydroxy compounds comprising the steps of hydrogenating a composition comprising C.sub.1-C.sub.3 oxygenate compounds in the gas phase in the presence of a copper on carbon catalyst.

A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol and other C.sub.1-C.sub.3 hydroxy compounds comprising the steps of hydrogenating a composition comprising C.sub.1-C.sub.3 oxygenate compounds. In particular the process is suitable for hydrogenating a composition comprising different C.sub.1-C.sub.3 oxygenate compounds, such as the product from a thermolytic fragmentation of a sugar composition.