Disclosed herein are a catalyst and method useful in the process of converting sugars to acrylonitrile.

Processes for synthesizing diacetone alcohol from acetone are provided. An exemplary process includes contacting acetone with a heterogeneous catalyst at a temperature of less than 100 C., to provide diacetone alcohol. The heterogeneous catalyst can include molecular sieves. Processes for synthesizing mesityl oxide from acetone are also provided.

Processes for synthesizing diacetone alcohol from acetone are provided. An exemplary process includes contacting acetone with a heterogeneous catalyst at a temperature of less than 100 C., to provide diacetone alcohol. The heterogeneous catalyst can include molecular sieves. Processes for synthesizing mesityl oxide from acetone are also provided.

Providing a catalytic process for preparing 1,4-diketone compounds from furanic compounds and their precursors in a liquid medium, using an acid catalytic system and optionally in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the acidic catalytic system comprises a solid acid catalyst or a mixture of water and CO.sub.2.

Providing a catalytic process for preparing 1,4-diketone compounds from furanic compounds and their precursors in a liquid medium, using an acid catalytic system and optionally in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the acidic catalytic system comprises a solid acid catalyst or a mixture of water and CO.sub.2.

The presently disclosed and/or claimed inventive concept(s) relates generally to retro-aldol reaction products and methods of making and using same. More particularly, but without limitation, the methods disclosed herein for producing the retro-aldol reaction products are performed in a non-aqueous/solvent-free based process. The reaction products obtained from the process include, for example, dihydroxyacetone, glyceraldehyde, glycolaldehyde, and combinations thereof. In one particular embodiment, the process of making such retro-aldol reaction products includes, without limitation, the step of mechanocatalytically reacting a heterogeneous catalyst with one or more sugar reactants.

The presently disclosed and/or claimed inventive concept(s) relates generally to retro-aldol reaction products and methods of making and using same. More particularly, but without limitation, the methods disclosed herein for producing the retro-aldol reaction products are performed in a non-aqueous/solvent-free based process. The reaction products obtained from the process include, for example, dihydroxyacetone, glyceraldehyde, glycolaldehyde, and combinations thereof. In one particular embodiment, the process of making such retro-aldol reaction products includes, without limitation, the step of mechanocatalytically reacting a heterogeneous catalyst with one or more sugar reactants.

Provided is a fragrance composition containing a compound that is highly harmonious with other various fragrances and that can impart a stronger floral feeling by being blended. A fragrance composition containing 3,6-dimethyl-heptane-2-ol. The fragrance composition may further contain at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, 7-methyloctane-3-ol, esters, carbonates, aldehydes, ethers, lactones, and alcohols other than 3,6-dimethylheptane-2-ol.

Provided is a fragrance composition containing a compound that is highly harmonious with other various fragrances and that can impart a stronger floral feeling by being blended. A fragrance composition containing 3,6-dimethyl-heptane-2-ol. The fragrance composition may further contain at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, 7-methyloctane-3-ol, esters, carbonates, aldehydes, ethers, lactones, and alcohols other than 3,6-dimethylheptane-2-ol.

The present invention relates to a process for thermolytic fragmentation of a sugar into a composition comprising C.sub.1-C.sub.3 oxygenates. In particular, it relates to the use of heat carrying particles providing improved yields of C.sub.1-C.sub.3 oxygenates and improved fluidization characteristics making it suitable for industrial scale production of e.g. glycolaldehyde. It also regards a circulating fluidized bed system comprising the heat carrying particles.