This invention relates to a method for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethyl esters of carboxylic acids. Said method consists of treating the biomass material with an oxidizing agent that is incorporated in an solution comprising one or more acids, one or more alcohols and water, and subsequently performing a catalytic reaction at a higher temperature using the same acidic solution into which a larger volume of alcohol is added, in such a way that the catalytic conversion occurs in a medium with a much higher concentration of alcohol, i.e. with a much higher alcohol-to-water wt ratio. Such a method results in relatively high yields of ethyl esters, such as ethyl esters of formic, acetic, and levulinic acids, while producing a low yield of dialkyl ethers, which are unwanted by-products. The concentration of the oxidizing agent in the pre-treatment step is preferably higher than 6.0 wt %. The oxidizing agent is preferably a Fenton or Fenton-type reagent, and most preferably hydrogen peroxide activated by Fe (II), and/or Ti (IV) ions. The alcohol is preferably ethanol, and when ethanol is used, diethyl ether is formed as the unwanted dialkyl ether by-product. Preferably, the biomass material is pelleted before treatment.

The present invention provides a process for producing a compound represented by formula (I), comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound represented by formula (II) with dimethyl sulfate in the presence of an alkali carbonate in a aqueous ketone solvent to obtain the compound represented by formula (I) as a crystalline material, and (b) washing the crystalline material with heated water at 30 to 100° C. and then further washing with an organic solvent at 30 to 80° C.

The present invention provides a process for producing a compound represented by formula (I), comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound represented by formula (II) with dimethyl sulfate in the presence of an alkali carbonate in a aqueous ketone solvent to obtain the compound represented by formula (I) as a crystalline material, and (b) washing the crystalline material with heated water at 30 to 100° C. and then further washing with an organic solvent at 30 to 80° C.

Methods and systems for the production and isolation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from a lipid source are described. The method includes extracting a lipid from a lipid source and transesterifying the lipid into a FAME. The method may also include fractionating the FAME from the system. A method of selectively transesterifying a lipid into a FAME is also described.

Methods and systems for the production and isolation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from a lipid source are described. The method includes extracting a lipid from a lipid source and transesterifying the lipid into a FAME. The method may also include fractionating the FAME from the system. A method of selectively transesterifying a lipid into a FAME is also described.

The present invention describes the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts of mixed oxides based upon niobium and mixed oxides of zinc, manganese, nickel, cobalt and/or aluminum, originating from hydrotalcites (HTs) as precursor phase of heterogeneous catalysts, and application thereof in the chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) for the production of metal free bis(hydroxy)ethylene (BHET) monomers and oligomers having a processing performance similar to that of the homogeneous catalysis system.

The present invention describes the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts of mixed oxides based upon niobium and mixed oxides of zinc, manganese, nickel, cobalt and/or aluminum, originating from hydrotalcites (HTs) as precursor phase of heterogeneous catalysts, and application thereof in the chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) for the production of metal free bis(hydroxy)ethylene (BHET) monomers and oligomers having a processing performance similar to that of the homogeneous catalysis system.

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.

The present invention relates to a new dehydrogenation process of specific compounds.