Described herein are processes for one-step delignification and hydrodeoxygenation of lignin fraction a biomass feedstock. The lignin feedstock is derived from by-products of paper production and biorefineries. Additionally described is a process for converting biomass-derived oxygenates to lower oxygen-content compounds and/or hydrocarbons in the liquid or vapor phase in a reactor system containing hydrogen and a catalyst comprised of a hydrogenation function and/or an oxophilic function and/or an acid function. Finally, also described herein is a process for converting biomass-derived oxygenates to lower oxygen-content compounds and/or hydrocarbons in the liquid or vapor phase in a reactor system containing hydrogen and a catalyst comprised of a hydrogenation function and/or an oxophilic function and/or an acid function.

Described herein are processes for one-step delignification and hydrodeoxygenation of lignin fraction a biomass feedstock. The lignin feedstock is derived from by-products of paper production and biorefineries. Additionally described is a process for converting biomass-derived oxygenates to lower oxygen-content compounds and/or hydrocarbons in the liquid or vapor phase in a reactor system containing hydrogen and a catalyst comprised of a hydrogenation function and/or an oxophilic function and/or an acid function. Finally, also described herein is a process for converting biomass-derived oxygenates to lower oxygen-content compounds and/or hydrocarbons in the liquid or vapor phase in a reactor system containing hydrogen and a catalyst comprised of a hydrogenation function and/or an oxophilic function and/or an acid function.

Methods of forming arenes, including asymmetrical arenes, such as asymmetrical pyrene derivatives. Substituents of starting materials may be selected to direct a photochemical cascade and possibly a 1,2-aryl shift. The methods may include a Mallory cyclization, which is controlled, at least in part, by substituents of the starting materials. Compounds and compositions including asymmetrical arenes.

Methods of forming arenes, including asymmetrical arenes, such as asymmetrical pyrene derivatives. Substituents of starting materials may be selected to direct a photochemical cascade and possibly a 1,2-aryl shift. The methods may include a Mallory cyclization, which is controlled, at least in part, by substituents of the starting materials. Compounds and compositions including asymmetrical arenes.

Using a combination of Kumada, Suzuki and Biellmann chemistry, various menaquinones can synthesised rapidly and with stereochemical integrity offering a new way of preparing these vitamin K2 components for the pharmaceutical market. In one embodiment a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I)

##STR00001## is defined including a step in which (i) a compound of formula (II) is reacted with a compound of formula (III)

##STR00002## wherein R is an alkyl group; LG is a leaving group; m is an integer from 0 to 8; n is an integer of from 0 to 9; and X is hydrogen, halide, hydroxyl or protected hydroxyl; in the presence of a copper, nickel or palladium catalyst.

Using a combination of Kumada, Suzuki and Biellmann chemistry, various menaquinones can synthesised rapidly and with stereochemical integrity offering a new way of preparing these vitamin K2 components for the pharmaceutical market. In one embodiment a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I)

##STR00001## is defined including a step in which (i) a compound of formula (II) is reacted with a compound of formula (III)

##STR00002## wherein R is an alkyl group; LG is a leaving group; m is an integer from 0 to 8; n is an integer of from 0 to 9; and X is hydrogen, halide, hydroxyl or protected hydroxyl; in the presence of a copper, nickel or palladium catalyst.

Using a combination of Kumada, Suzuki and Biellmann chemistry, various menaquinones can synthesised rapidly and with stereochemical integrity offering a new way of preparing these vitamin K2 components for the pharmaceutical market. In one embodiment a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I)

##STR00001## is defined including a step in which (i) a compound of formula (II) is reacted with a compound of formula (III)

##STR00002## wherein R is an alkyl group; LG is a leaving group; m is an integer from 0 to 8; n is an integer of from 0 to 9; and X is hydrogen, halide, hydroxyl or protected hydroxyl; in the presence of a copper, nickel or palladium catalyst.

A method of preparing a compound of formula (IV)

##STR00001##

where R.sub.1 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, comprises reacting cyclohexene with hydrogen peroxide and an alcohol R.sub.1OH in the presence of a catalyst comprising a zeolite of framework structure MWW, wherein the framework of the zeolite comprises silicon, titanium, boron, oxygen and hydrogen.

A method of preparing a compound of formula (IV)

##STR00001##

where R.sub.1 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, comprises reacting cyclohexene with hydrogen peroxide and an alcohol R.sub.1OH in the presence of a catalyst comprising a zeolite of framework structure MWW, wherein the framework of the zeolite comprises silicon, titanium, boron, oxygen and hydrogen.

Described herein is method of making a halogenated partially fluorinated compound, comprising: (a) providing a compound having the following structure of formula (I): R.sub.f—CF═CXY wherein X and Y are independently selected from F and Cl; wherein R.sub.f is a fluorinated monovalent group comprising 1 to 10 carbon atoms; (b) contacting the compound with at least one of (i) an iodine or bromine containing salt in the presence of an acid; and (ii) aqueous solution of HZ wherein Z is selected from I and Br to form the halogenated partially fluorinated compound of the formula (II): R′.sub.f—CFH—CXYZ wherein X and Y are independently selected from F and Cl; Z is selected from I and Br; and R′.sub.f is a fluorinated monovalent group comprising 1 to 10 carbon atoms.