A process for large scale and energy efficient production of oxygenates from sugar is disclosed in which a sugar feedstock is introduced into a thermolytic fragmentation reactor comprising a fluidized stream of heat carrying particles which are separated from the reaction product and directed to a reheater comprising a resistance heating system.

A process for large scale and energy efficient production of oxygenates from sugar is disclosed in which a sugar feedstock is introduced into a thermolytic fragmentation reactor comprising a fluidized stream of heat carrying particles which are separated from the reaction product and directed to a reheater comprising a resistance heating system.

Methods of producing hydrogen are described. A method can include combining an aqueous base, formaldehyde, and a transition metal complex having a coordination bond between a transition metal and a leaving group to form a homogeneous aqueous solution having a basic pH. The leaving group dissociates from the transition metal complex in response to light and/or the basic pH of the solution to produce hydrogen (H2) gas and formate or a salt thereof from the formaldehyde present in the homogeneous aqueous solution. Subsequent hydrogenation of the formate or a salt thereof produces formaldehyde.

Methods of producing hydrogen are described. A method can include combining an aqueous base, formaldehyde, and a transition metal complex having a coordination bond between a transition metal and a leaving group to form a homogeneous aqueous solution having a basic pH. The leaving group dissociates from the transition metal complex in response to light and/or the basic pH of the solution to produce hydrogen (H2) gas and formate or a salt thereof from the formaldehyde present in the homogeneous aqueous solution. Subsequent hydrogenation of the formate or a salt thereof produces formaldehyde.

The present disclosure provides, inter alia, methods for preparing formaldehyde from carbon dioxide using bis(silyl)acetals, methods for incorporating carbon derived from carbon dioxide into a complex organic molecule derived from formaldehyde using bis(silyl)acetals, and methods for generating an isotopologue of a complex organic molecule derived from formaldehyde using bis(silyl)acetals.

The present disclosure provides, inter alia, methods for preparing formaldehyde from carbon dioxide using bis(silyl)acetals, methods for incorporating carbon derived from carbon dioxide into a complex organic molecule derived from formaldehyde using bis(silyl)acetals, and methods for generating an isotopologue of a complex organic molecule derived from formaldehyde using bis(silyl)acetals.

A process for purification of a crude product stream recovered from the production of an unsaturated carboxylic acid by an aldolization reaction is disclosed. The product stream comprises the unsaturated carboxylic acid, aldehyde, saturated carboxylic acid, water, non-condensable vapours and optionally heavy by-products. The process comprises: providing the crude product stream in the vapour phase to a first separation column operated at a temperature and pressure to form an intermediate product stream comprising product unsaturated carboxylic acid, a portion of the water from the feed stream, a portion of the saturated carboxylic acid and heavy by-products where present; and passing the intermediate product stream to a second separation column operated at a temperature and pressure such that the unsaturated carboxylic acid product is separated and recovered.

A process for purification of a crude product stream recovered from the production of an unsaturated carboxylic acid by an aldolization reaction is disclosed. The product stream comprises the unsaturated carboxylic acid, aldehyde, saturated carboxylic acid, water, non-condensable vapours and optionally heavy by-products. The process comprises: providing the crude product stream in the vapour phase to a first separation column operated at a temperature and pressure to form an intermediate product stream comprising product unsaturated carboxylic acid, a portion of the water from the feed stream, a portion of the saturated carboxylic acid and heavy by-products where present; and passing the intermediate product stream to a second separation column operated at a temperature and pressure such that the unsaturated carboxylic acid product is separated and recovered.

A process for purification of a crude product stream recovered from the production of acrylic acid by an aldolisation reaction is disclosed. The product stream comprises acrylic acid, formaldehyde, water, non-condensable vapours and optionally heavy by-products. The process comprises: providing the crude product stream in the vapour phase to a first separation column operated at a temperature and pressure to form an intermediate overhead stream comprising water, formaldehyde and methanol; and passing said intermediate overhead stream to a formaldehyde separation column operated at a temperature and pressure to enable a stream having a higher formaldehyde concentration than the formaldehyde concentration in the intermediate overhead stream to be formed and recovered from at or near the bottom of the formaldehyde separation column as a formaldehyde enriched stream.

A process for purification of a crude product stream recovered from the production of acrylic acid by an aldolisation reaction is disclosed. The product stream comprises acrylic acid, formaldehyde, water, non-condensable vapours and optionally heavy by-products. The process comprises: providing the crude product stream in the vapour phase to a first separation column operated at a temperature and pressure to form an intermediate overhead stream comprising water, formaldehyde and methanol; and passing said intermediate overhead stream to a formaldehyde separation column operated at a temperature and pressure to enable a stream having a higher formaldehyde concentration than the formaldehyde concentration in the intermediate overhead stream to be formed and recovered from at or near the bottom of the formaldehyde separation column as a formaldehyde enriched stream.