Provided is a process for recovery of a functionalized compound reaction product comprising contacting (i) an oxidizing electrophile comprising a main group element, and (ii) a compound comprising at least one CH bond, in an acidic medium to form a reaction milieu comprising a functionalized compound reaction product, contacting the reaction milieu with a water-immiscible organic solvent, separating the water-immiscible organic solvent from the reaction milieu, wherein the functionalized compound reaction product is dissolved in the water-immiscible organic solvent, and separating the functionalized compound reaction product and the water-immiscible organic solvent. The water-immiscible extraction solvent can be the same compound as the compound comprising as least one CH bond, for example, propane or n-butane.

Provided is a process for recovery of a functionalized compound reaction product comprising contacting (i) an oxidizing electrophile comprising a main group element, and (ii) a compound comprising at least one CH bond, in an acidic medium to form a reaction milieu comprising a functionalized compound reaction product, contacting the reaction milieu with a water-immiscible organic solvent, separating the water-immiscible organic solvent from the reaction milieu, wherein the functionalized compound reaction product is dissolved in the water-immiscible organic solvent, and separating the functionalized compound reaction product and the water-immiscible organic solvent. The water-immiscible extraction solvent can be the same compound as the compound comprising as least one CH bond, for example, propane or n-butane.

A method of preparing bio-polyols from epoxidized fatty acid esters, wherein the bio-polyols are synthesized via hydroxylation with epoxidized fatty acid esters and ring-opening reagent, using the acidic ionic liquids as catalysts. The bio-polyols are used to synthesize bio-polyurethane and bio-polyurethane foams. The acidic ionic liquids in this process is used in esterification, epoxidation, and ring-opening reaction to synthesize bio-polyols. The ionic liquids catalysts have several advantages such as easy to separate, reusable, and may reduce pollution.

A method of preparing bio-polyols from epoxidized fatty acid esters, wherein the bio-polyols are synthesized via hydroxylation with epoxidized fatty acid esters and ring-opening reagent, using the acidic ionic liquids as catalysts. The bio-polyols are used to synthesize bio-polyurethane and bio-polyurethane foams. The acidic ionic liquids in this process is used in esterification, epoxidation, and ring-opening reaction to synthesize bio-polyols. The ionic liquids catalysts have several advantages such as easy to separate, reusable, and may reduce pollution.

The present invention relates to a method for selectively separating propylene carbonate by adding water to reaction products comprising a polyether carbonate polyol and propylene carbonate, which are generated from a polymerization reaction of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide under a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst, wherein an economical and effective separation of propylene carbonate can be achieved.

Provided is a process for recovery of a functionalized compound reaction product comprising contacting (i) an oxidizing electrophile comprising a main group element, and (ii) a compound comprising at least one CH bond, in an acidic medium to form a reaction milieu comprising a functionalized compound reaction product, contacting the reaction milieu with a water-immicible organic solvent, separating the water-immiscible organic solvent from the reaction milieu, wherein the functionalized compound reaction product is dissolved in the water-immiscible organic solvent, and separating the functionalized compound reaction product and the water-immiscible organic solvent. The water-immiscible extraction solvent can be the same compound as the compound comprising as least one CH bond, for example, propane or n-butane.

The present invention relates to the energy efficient and selective extraction of dilute concentrations of biomolecules, e.g., small organic compounds, e.g., one or more C2-C6 alcohols, one or more C3-C5 carboxylic acids, one or more C8-18 fatty alcohols, one or more C1-C18 dicarboxylic acids, one or more furfurals, one or more furans, one or more butanediols, one or more butadienes, and mixtures thereof, from an aqueous solution using liquid phase dimethyl ether (DME).

The present invention relates to the energy efficient and selective extraction of dilute concentrations of biomolecules, e.g., small organic compounds, e.g., one or more C2-C6 alcohols, one or more C3-C5 carboxylic acids, one or more C8-18 fatty alcohols, one or more C1-C18 dicarboxylic acids, one or more furfurals, one or more furans, one or more butanediols, one or more butadienes, and mixtures thereof, from an aqueous solution using liquid phase dimethyl ether (DME).