Process (P) for the decarboxylative ketonization of fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives or mixtures thereof in the liquid phase with metal compounds as catalyst wherein the fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives or mixtures thereof are added sequentially. Downstream chemistry can be realized starting from internal ketones obtained by process (P), especially in order to design and develop new surfactants.

Process (P) for the decarboxylative ketonization of fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives or mixtures thereof in the liquid phase with metal compounds as catalyst wherein the fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives or mixtures thereof are added sequentially. Downstream chemistry can be realized starting from internal ketones obtained by process (P), especially in order to design and develop new surfactants.

The present invention is directed to a process for synthesizing an internal ketone K1 by decarboxylative ketonization reaction of a fatty acid, a fatty acid derivative or a mixture thereof in a liquid phase with a metal compound as catalyst in a reaction medium, said process being characterized in that a ketone K2 at liquid state, which is identical or similar to the ketone K1, is introduced into the reaction medium. The so-synthesized internal ketone K1 can be used for the preparation of a variety of end compounds, including surfactants having a twin-tail structure or a Gemini structure.

The present invention is directed to a process for synthesizing an internal ketone K1 by decarboxylative ketonization reaction of a fatty acid, a fatty acid derivative or a mixture thereof in a liquid phase with a metal compound as catalyst in a reaction medium, said process being characterized in that a ketone K2 at liquid state, which is identical or similar to the ketone K1, is introduced into the reaction medium. The so-synthesized internal ketone K1 can be used for the preparation of a variety of end compounds, including surfactants having a twin-tail structure or a Gemini structure.

Processes for converting a hydrocarbon reactant into an alcohol compound and/or a carbonyl compound are disclosed, and these processes include the steps of irradiating the hydrocarbon reactant and a supported chromium catalyst comprising chromium in a hexavalent oxidation state with a light beam at a wavelength in the UV-visible spectrum 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 alcohol compound and/or the carbonyl compound. In addition, these processes can further comprise a step of calcining all or a portion of the reduced chromium catalyst to regenerate the supported chromium catalyst.

Processes for converting a hydrocarbon reactant into an alcohol compound and/or a carbonyl compound are disclosed, and these processes include the steps of irradiating the hydrocarbon reactant and a supported chromium catalyst comprising chromium in a hexavalent oxidation state with a light beam at a wavelength in the UV-visible spectrum 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 alcohol compound and/or the carbonyl compound. In addition, these processes can further comprise a step of calcining all or a portion of the reduced chromium catalyst to regenerate the supported chromium catalyst.

A method for forming a desired hydrocarbon fuel product from a mixed oxygenate feedstock by utilizing chemical processes to form ketones from the oxygenate feed, upgrade the ketones, recycle selected upgraded ketones through the upgrading process to obtain a desired intermediate and hydrogenating the desired intermediate to obtain the desired hydrocarbon fuel product. In various alternative configurations and embodiments this can be accomplished in a number of ways, and originate in a number of different positions and occasions.

A method for forming a desired hydrocarbon fuel product from a mixed oxygenate feedstock by utilizing chemical processes to form ketones from the oxygenate feed, upgrade the ketones, recycle selected upgraded ketones through the upgrading process to obtain a desired intermediate and hydrogenating the desired intermediate to obtain the desired hydrocarbon fuel product. In various alternative configurations and embodiments this can be accomplished in a number of ways, and originate in a number of different positions and occasions.

The invention relates to novel, scalable synthetic routes that allow for direct reduction of enones to the corresponding saturated alcohols. The invention relates, in certain aspects, to synthetic routes that allow for the reduction of enones to the corresponding ketones. Such reactions take place under mild conditions, are compatible with a wide range of functional groups, and expand the repertoire of existing green chemistry methodology. In certain embodiments, the reactions are run in aqueous solvent.

Electrochemical cells and photoelectrochemical cells for the reduction of furfurals are provided. Also provided are methods of using the cells to carry out the reduction reactions. Using the cells and methods, furfurals can be converted into furan alcohols or linear ketones.