Provided herein are methods that utilize polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as a substrate for further conversion to C4 and C5 compounds. Polyhydroxyalkanoates can undergo esterification to yield alkyl hydroxyalkanoates and alkyl alkenoates, which may serve as useful precursors in the production of alkadienes and alkenedioic acids, including for example butadiene and butenedioic acid.

A process for the preparation of lactic acid and 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid or esters thereof from a sugar in the presence of a metallo-silicate material, a metal ion and a solvent, wherein the metal ion is selected from one or more of the group consisting of potassium ions, sodium ions, lithium ions, rubidium ions and caesium ions.

Monomers, polymers and copolymers are provided that incorporate at least one naturally occurring phenolic compound, such as a plant phenol.

Methods of treating propionic acidemia (PA), methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) and fatty acid oxidation disorders are described. The methods include administering an anaplerotic agent that can directly enter the tricarboxylic acid cycle, such as a succinate derivative or pro-drug, for example trisuccinylglycerol (TSG). Methods of restoring tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle function in a cell deficient for propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC) or methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MUT) by contacting the cell with a succinate derivative or pro-drug, such as TSG, are also described.

Methods of treating propionic acidemia (PA), methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) and fatty acid oxidation disorders are described. The methods include administering an anaplerotic agent that can directly enter the tricarboxylic acid cycle, such as a succinate derivative or pro-drug, for example trisuccinylglycerol (TSG). Methods of restoring tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle function in a cell deficient for propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC) or methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MUT) by contacting the cell with a succinate derivative or pro-drug, such as TSG, are also described.