The present invention provides processes, methods, and systems for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to liquid fuels and chemicals. The method generally includes the reaction of a hydrolysate from a biomass deconstruction process with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising one of more oxygenated compounds. The process also includes reacting the reaction product with a condensation catalyst to produce C.sub.4+ compounds useful as fuels and chemicals.

This specification discloses a process to convert a converted lignin feedstream to an aromatic composition comprised of aromatic compounds. The process follows the steps of exposing the converted lignin feedstream to at least one catalyst in the presence of donated hydrogen atoms at an exposure temperature greater than 190 C. for a time of at least thirty minutes. The donated hydrogen atoms are donated from at least one hydrogen donating compound during exposure of the converted lignin feedstream to the at least one catalyst at the exposure temperature. The resulting products are comprised largely of aromatics.

This specification discloses a process to convert a converted lignin feedstream to an aromatic composition comprised of aromatic compounds. The process follows the steps of exposing the converted lignin feedstream to at least one catalyst in the presence of donated hydrogen atoms at an exposure temperature greater than 190 C. for a time of at least thirty minutes. The donated hydrogen atoms are donated from at least one hydrogen donating compound during exposure of the converted lignin feedstream to the at least one catalyst at the exposure temperature. The resulting products are comprised largely of aromatics.

The present invention concerns a process for converting biomass into useful organic building blocks for the chemical industry. The process involves the use of molybdenum catalysts of the formula A.sup.a+a(Mo.sub.vX.sub.xR.sup.1.sub.yR.sup.2.sub.zR.sup.3e).sup.a*3, which may be readily prepared from industrial molybdenum compounds.

The present invention produces ethanol in a stacked bed reactor that comprises a first catalyst and a second catalyst, wherein the first and second catalysts comprise at least one group VIII metal, and wherein the second catalyst is substantially free of copper. The crude ethanol product may be separated and ethanol recovered.

The present invention provides processes, methods, and systems for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to liquid fuels and chemicals. The method generally includes the reaction of a hydrolysate from a biomass deconstruction process with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising one of more oxygenated compounds. The process also includes reacting the reaction product with a condensation catalyst to produce C.sub.4+ compounds useful as fuels and chemicals.

The present invention provides processes, methods, and systems for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to liquid fuels and chemicals. The method generally includes the reaction of a hydrolysate from a biomass deconstruction process with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising one of more oxygenated compounds. The process also includes reacting the reaction product with a condensation catalyst to produce C.sub.4+ compounds useful as fuels and chemicals.

A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol comprising the steps of pyrolysing a monosaccharide and hydrogenating the product composition in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent, wherein the pressure of the hydrogenation reaction is 40 bar or greater.

A homogenous process for the hydrogenation of the carboxylic acids and/or derivatives thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising ruthenium, rhodium, iron, osmium or palladium, and an organic phosphine is described in which the hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of at least about 1% by weight water. A process for regenerating a catalyst comprising ruthenium, rhodium, iron, osmium or palladium and an organic phosphine is also described in which the regeneration is carried out in the presence of hydrogen and water.

A homogenous process for the hydrogenation of the carboxylic acids and/or derivatives thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising ruthenium, rhodium, iron, osmium or palladium, and an organic phosphine is described in which the hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of at least about 1% by weight water. A process for regenerating a catalyst comprising ruthenium, rhodium, iron, osmium or palladium and an organic phosphine is also described in which the regeneration is carried out in the presence of hydrogen and water.