The invention relates to a novel class of (S)-3-substituted-abscisic acid derivatives and (?)-3-substituted-abscisic acid derivatives, and methods of synthesizing the derivatives.

A continuous flow process for the preparation of one or more esters of lactic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid or -hydroxy methionine analogs from a sugar in the presence of a solid Lewis acid catalyst and a solvent comprising an organic solvent and water. The invention provides a stabilized Lewis acid catalyst for use in a continuous reaction process, where the water is present in an amount of up to or equal to 10 vol. % of the organic solvent.

A continuous flow process for the preparation of one or more esters of lactic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid or -hydroxy methionine analogs from a sugar in the presence of a solid Lewis acid catalyst and a solvent comprising an organic solvent and water. The invention provides a stabilized Lewis acid catalyst for use in a continuous reaction process, where the water is present in an amount of up to or equal to 10 vol. % of the organic solvent.

The present invention relates to a novel process for oxidative esterification, generally for reaction of aldehydes with alcohols in the presence of oxygenous gases directly to give the corresponding ester in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst, by means of which, for example, (meth)acrolein can be converted to methyl (meth)acrylate. The new catalyst has titanium dioxide as the main component of the support material. The catalysts are especially notable for high mechanical and chemical stability and for good catalytic performance even over very long periods. The process is an improvement in the catalyst service life, activity and selectivity over prior art catalysts which lose activity and/or selectivity relatively quickly in continuous operation in media having even a small water content.

The present invention relates to a novel process for oxidative esterification, generally for reaction of aldehydes with alcohols in the presence of oxygenous gases directly to give the corresponding ester in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst, by means of which, for example, (meth)acrolein can be converted to methyl (meth)acrylate. The new catalyst has titanium dioxide as the main component of the support material. The catalysts are especially notable for high mechanical and chemical stability and for good catalytic performance even over very long periods. The process is an improvement in the catalyst service life, activity and selectivity over prior art catalysts which lose activity and/or selectivity relatively quickly in continuous operation in media having even a small water content.

The invention includes methods and materials for forming and manipulating aromatic-based polymers and copolymers using biomass compounds as starting materials. Embodiments of the invention can be used in processes designed to replace those used in the petro-chemical industry. Typical embodiments of the invention include methods and materials for forming and/or modifying compounds including dicarboxylic acid ester dimers, benzoxazines and dicarboxylic acid ether dimers. Embodiments of the invention further provide methods and materials for utilizing these compounds to form commercially desirable polymers having structures and physical properties akin to those found in polymers formed from petroleum products.

The invention includes methods and materials for forming and manipulating aromatic-based polymers and copolymers using biomass compounds as starting materials. Embodiments of the invention can be used in processes designed to replace those used in the petro-chemical industry. Typical embodiments of the invention include methods and materials for forming and/or modifying compounds including dicarboxylic acid ester dimers, benzoxazines and dicarboxylic acid ether dimers. Embodiments of the invention further provide methods and materials for utilizing these compounds to form commercially desirable polymers having structures and physical properties akin to those found in polymers formed from petroleum products.

A continuous flow process for the preparation of one or more esters of lactic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid or -hydroxy methionine analogues from a sugar in the presence of a solid Lewis acid catalyst and a solvent comprising an organic solvent and water. The invention provides a means for stabilizing a Lewis acid catalyst for use in a continuous reaction process wherein the water is present in an amount of up to or equal to 10 vol. % of the organic solvent.

A continuous flow process for the preparation of one or more esters of lactic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid or -hydroxy methionine analogues from a sugar in the presence of a solid Lewis acid catalyst and a solvent comprising an organic solvent and water. The invention provides a means for stabilizing a Lewis acid catalyst for use in a continuous reaction process wherein the water is present in an amount of up to or equal to 10 vol. % of the organic solvent.

A continuous flow process for the preparation of one or more esters of lactic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid or -hydroxy methionine analogues from a sugar in the presence of a solid Lewis acid catalyst and a solvent comprising an organic solvent and water. The invention provides a means for stabilizing a Lewis acid catalyst for use in a continuous reaction process wherein the water is present in an amount of up to or equal to 10 vol. % of the organic solvent.