Methods for the production of 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate (2,4-DHB) from erythrose and other four-carbon sugars are disclosed. The improved methods facilitate the production of 2,4-DHB that is a precursor for biorenewable and animal nutrition chemicals among others.

Use of diverse biomass feedstock in a process for the recovery of target C5 and C6 alditols and target glycols via staged hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis processes is disclosed. Particular alditols of interest include, but are not limited to, xylitol and sorbitol. Various embodiments of the present invention synergistically improve overall recovery of target alditols and/or glycols from a mixed C5/C6 sugar stream without needlessly driving total recovery of the individual target alditols and/or glycols. The result is a highly efficient, low complexity process having enhanced production flexibility, reduced waste and greater overall yield than conventional processes directed to alditol or glycol production.

Use of diverse biomass feedstock in a process for the recovery of target C5 and C6 alditols and target glycols via staged hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis processes is disclosed. Particular alditols of interest include, but are not limited to, xylitol and sorbitol. Various embodiments of the present invention synergistically improve overall recovery of target alditols and/or glycols from a mixed C5/C6 sugar stream without needlessly driving total recovery of the individual target alditols and/or glycols. The result is a highly efficient, low complexity process having enhanced production flexibility, reduced waste and greater overall yield than conventional processes directed to alditol or glycol production.

An improved process for making bioderived propylene glycol by reacting a feed composition including glycerol with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the improvement involves causing the reaction to take place in the presence of one or more additives selected 10 from the group consisting of the soluble acetate, citrate, lactate, gluconate, propionate and glycerate salts.

An improved process for making bioderived propylene glycol by reacting a feed composition including glycerol with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the improvement involves causing the reaction to take place in the presence of one or more additives selected 10 from the group consisting of the soluble acetate, citrate, lactate, gluconate, propionate and glycerate salts.

In the present invention, a sugar alcohol can be efficiently produced from a cellulose-containing biomass by carrying out a step (1) of filtering an aqueous sugar solution, which is obtained by hydrolysis of a cellulose-containing biomass, by passing the solution through a separation membrane having a molecular cut-off of 300-800 so as to remove catalyst poisons to the non-permeate side and collecting a sugar solution from the permeate side, and a step (2) of subjecting the sugar solution obtained in step (1) to a hydrogenation reaction in the presence of a metal catalyst.

In the present invention, a sugar alcohol can be efficiently produced from a cellulose-containing biomass by carrying out a step (1) of filtering an aqueous sugar solution, which is obtained by hydrolysis of a cellulose-containing biomass, by passing the solution through a separation membrane having a molecular cut-off of 300-800 so as to remove catalyst poisons to the non-permeate side and collecting a sugar solution from the permeate side, and a step (2) of subjecting the sugar solution obtained in step (1) to a hydrogenation reaction in the presence of a metal catalyst.

This disclosure provides methods for the chemical modification of triglycerides that are highly enriched in specific fatty acids and subsequent use thereof for producing functionally versatile polymers.

This disclosure provides methods for the chemical modification of triglycerides that are highly enriched in specific fatty acids and subsequent use thereof for producing functionally versatile polymers.

Methods for the production of 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate (2,4-DHB) from erythrose and other four-carbon sugars are disclosed. The improved methods facilitate the production of 2,4-DHB that is a precursor for biorenewable and animal nutrition chemicals among others.