Bio-based ethanol, such as ethanol produced from lignocellulosic materials, for example, is processed to produce bio-based ethylene, which can then be processed further to produce other bio-based materials including bio-based polymers and copolymers, including bio-based polyethylene, bio-based α-olefins, bio-based 1,2-diols, as well as other compounds.

Processes for converting an olefin reactant into a diol compound are disclosed, and these processes include the steps of contacting the olefin reactant and a supported chromium catalyst comprising chromium in a hexavalent oxidation state to reduce at least a portion of the supported chromium catalyst to form a reduced chromium catalyst, and hydrolyzing the reduced chromium catalyst to form a reaction product comprising the diol compound. While being contacted, the olefin reactant and the supported chromium catalyst can be irradiated with a light beam at a wavelength in the UV-visible spectrum. Optionally, these processes can further comprise a step of calcining at least a portion of the reduced chromium catalyst to regenerate the supported chromium catalyst.

Processes for converting an olefin reactant into a diol compound are disclosed, and these processes include the steps of contacting the olefin reactant and a supported chromium catalyst comprising chromium in a hexavalent oxidation state to reduce at least a portion of the supported chromium catalyst to form a reduced chromium catalyst, and hydrolyzing the reduced chromium catalyst to form a reaction product comprising the diol compound. While being contacted, the olefin reactant and the supported chromium catalyst can be irradiated with a light beam at a wavelength in the UV-visible spectrum. Optionally, these processes can further comprise a step of calcining at least a portion of the reduced chromium catalyst to regenerate the supported chromium catalyst.

Processes for converting an olefin reactant into a diol compound are disclosed, and these processes include the steps of contacting the olefin reactant and a supported chromium catalyst comprising chromium in a hexavalent oxidation state to reduce at least a portion of the supported chromium catalyst to form a reduced chromium catalyst, and hydrolyzing the reduced chromium catalyst to form a reaction product comprising the diol compound. While being contacted, the olefin reactant and the supported chromium catalyst can be irradiated with a light beam at a wavelength in the UV-visible spectrum. Optionally, these processes can further comprise a step of calcining at least a portion of the reduced chromium catalyst to regenerate the supported chromium catalyst.

Disclosed herein are methods, processes and compositions for preparing a compound of formula 8: (8), and formula 18: (18). The methods and processes comprise performing a first allylic oxidation, a protection reaction, a second allylic oxidation, a reduction reaction, performing an acid-catalyzed coupling reaction, a methylation reaction and a deprotection reaction. Disclosed herein are methods, processes and compositions for enantioselectively preparing compounds of formulae 8 and 18. Also disclosed herein are compositions comprising compounds of formulae 8, 18 and/or intermediates and/or starting material thereof.

##STR00001##

Disclosed herein are methods, processes and compositions for preparing a compound of formula 8: (8), and formula 18: (18). The methods and processes comprise performing a first allylic oxidation, a protection reaction, a second allylic oxidation, a reduction reaction, performing an acid-catalyzed coupling reaction, a methylation reaction and a deprotection reaction. Disclosed herein are methods, processes and compositions for enantioselectively preparing compounds of formulae 8 and 18. Also disclosed herein are compositions comprising compounds of formulae 8, 18 and/or intermediates and/or starting material thereof.

##STR00001##

A process for producing isomerized olefins, branched aldehydes, branched alcohols and branched surfactants through isomerization, hydroformylation, hydrogenation and surfactant forming reactions.

A process for producing isomerized olefins, branched aldehydes, branched alcohols and branched surfactants through isomerization, hydroformylation, hydrogenation and surfactant forming reactions.

An object of a first aspect of the present invention is to provide a radical generating catalyst that can generate (produce) radicals under mild conditions. In order to achieve the above object, a first radical generating catalyst according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it includes ammonium and/or a salt thereof. A second radical generating catalyst according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it includes an organic compound having Lewis acidic properties and/or Brønsted acidic properties.

An object of a first aspect of the present invention is to provide a radical generating catalyst that can generate (produce) radicals under mild conditions. In order to achieve the above object, a first radical generating catalyst according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it includes ammonium and/or a salt thereof. A second radical generating catalyst according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it includes an organic compound having Lewis acidic properties and/or Brønsted acidic properties.