In one embodiment, the present application discloses methods to selectively synthesize higher alcohols and hydrocarbons useful as fuels and industrial chemicals from syngas and biomass. Ketene and ketonization chemistry along with hydrogenation reactions are used to synthesize fuels and chemicals. In another embodiment, ketene used to form fuels and chemicals may be manufactured from acetic acid which in turn can be synthesized from synthesis gas which is produced from coal, biomass, natural gas, etc.

An oxygenated hydrocarbon production system for producing an oxygenated hydrocarbon selected from tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-butanediol, and gamma butyrolactone using maleic anhydride. The oxygenated hydrocarbon production system first converts maleic anhydride to a monoester, then converts the monoester to a diester, passes the diester through an anion exchange resin to remove acid-containing species such as the monoester, then hydrogenates the diester to the oxygenated hydrocarbon. The anion exchange resin may be regenerated using a regeneration subsystem which contains a regeneration solution containing a strong base. The system is used in a method of producing an oxygenated hydrocarbon from maleic anhydride.