A process for producing a catalyst including a) providing an uncalcined metal modified porous silica support wherein the modifier metal is selected from one or more of boron, magnesium, aluminium, zirconium, hafnium and titanium, wherein the modifier metal is present in mono- or dinuclear modifier metal moieties; b) optionally removing any solvent or liquid carrier from the modified silica support; c) optionally drying the modified silica support; d) treating the uncalcined metal modified silica support with a catalytic metal to effect adsorption of the catalytic metal onto the metal modified silica support; and e) calcining the impregnated silica support of step d). The invention extends to an uncalcined catalyst intermediate and a method of producing a catalyst by providing a porous silica support having isolated silanol groups.

A process for producing a catalyst including a) providing an uncalcined metal modified porous silica support wherein the modifier metal is selected from one or more of boron, magnesium, aluminium, zirconium, hafnium and titanium, wherein the modifier metal is present in mono- or dinuclear modifier metal moieties; b) optionally removing any solvent or liquid carrier from the modified silica support; c) optionally drying the modified silica support; d) treating the uncalcined metal modified silica support with a catalytic metal to effect adsorption of the catalytic metal onto the metal modified silica support; and e) calcining the impregnated silica support of step d). The invention extends to an uncalcined catalyst intermediate and a method of producing a catalyst by providing a porous silica support having isolated silanol groups.

Processes are disclosed for preparing carboxylic acids from organic esters, the processes comprising contacting an ester with water in the presence of an acid catalyst and a homogenizing solvent at conditions effective to form a carboxylic acid. The homogenizing solvent is present in an amount sufficient to form a single-phase reaction mixture comprising the ester, water, and homogenizing solvent. The homogenizing solvent may be selected from acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, and 1,4-dioxane.

Processes are disclosed for preparing carboxylic acids from organic esters, the processes comprising contacting an ester with water in the presence of an acid catalyst and a homogenizing solvent at conditions effective to form a carboxylic acid. The homogenizing solvent is present in an amount sufficient to form a single-phase reaction mixture comprising the ester, water, and homogenizing solvent. The homogenizing solvent may be selected from acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, and 1,4-dioxane.

Processes are disclosed for preparing carboxylic acids from organic esters, the processes comprising contacting an ester with water in the presence of an acid catalyst and a homogenizing solvent at conditions effective to form a carboxylic acid. The homogenizing solvent is present in an amount sufficient to form a single-phase reaction mixture comprising the ester, water, and homogenizing solvent. The homogenizing solvent may be selected from acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, and 1,4-dioxane.

The present invention relates to a crystalline, two dimensional polymer of Formula I and a process for the preparation thereof.

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The present invention relates to a crystalline, two dimensional polymer of Formula I and a process for the preparation thereof.

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A method for generating a carboxylic acid from carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), the method includes (a) feeding a gas stream having the CO.sub.2 to a first reactor having a base (MOH) to produce bicarbonate (MHCO.sub.3) and (b) feeding the MHCO.sub.3 generated in the first reactor to a second reactor disposed downstream from the first reactor. The second reactor includes a catalyst. The method also includes (c) contacting the MHCO.sub.3 with hydrogen gas in the presence of the catalyst in the second reactor to produce formate (HCOOM) and (d) electrolysing an aqueous solution of a metal halide (MCl) in a chloro-alkali electrolysis reactor fluidly coupled to the first reactor, the second reactor, or both to produce at least a portion of the MOH, the hydrogen gas and Cl.sub.2. The portion of the MOH is used in step (a) and the carboxylic acid is formic acid (HCOOH).

A method for generating a carboxylic acid from carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), the method includes (a) feeding a gas stream having the CO.sub.2 to a first reactor having a base (MOH) to produce bicarbonate (MHCO.sub.3) and (b) feeding the MHCO.sub.3 generated in the first reactor to a second reactor disposed downstream from the first reactor. The second reactor includes a catalyst. The method also includes (c) contacting the MHCO.sub.3 with hydrogen gas in the presence of the catalyst in the second reactor to produce formate (HCOOM) and (d) electrolysing an aqueous solution of a metal halide (MCl) in a chloro-alkali electrolysis reactor fluidly coupled to the first reactor, the second reactor, or both to produce at least a portion of the MOH, the hydrogen gas and Cl.sub.2. The portion of the MOH is used in step (a) and the carboxylic acid is formic acid (HCOOH).

Provided herein are absorbent polymers produced from beta-propiolactone, and methods and systems of producing such polymers. The beta-propiolactone may be derived from ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide. The absorbent polymer may be bio-based and/or biodegradable. The absorbent polymers may be used for diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products, as well as for agricultural applications.