The current invention relates to long - di-functional linear molecules as building blocks closing the gap between small molecules and polymers, or in a polycondensated form, in the production of oligomers and/or polymers, surfactants, lubricants, coatings, colloidal stabilizing surface chains/molecules.

This invention relates to a method for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethyl esters of carboxylic acids. Said method consists of treating the biomass material with an oxidizing agent that is incorporated in an solution comprising one or more acids, one or more alcohols and water, and subsequently performing a catalytic reaction at a higher temperature using the same acidic solution into which a larger volume of alcohol is added, in such a way that the catalytic conversion occurs in a medium with a much higher concentration of alcohol, i.e. with a much higher alcohol-to-water wt ratio. Such a method results in relatively high yields of ethyl esters, such as ethyl esters of formic, acetic, and levulinic acids, while producing a low yield of dialkyl ethers, which are unwanted by-products. The concentration of the oxidizing agent in the pre-treatment step is preferably higher than 6.0 wt %. The oxidizing agent is preferably a Fenton or Fenton-type reagent, and most preferably hydrogen peroxide activated by Fe (II), and/or Ti (IV) ions. The alcohol is preferably ethanol, and when ethanol is used, diethyl ether is formed as the unwanted dialkyl ether by-product. Preferably, the biomass material is pelleted before treatment.

The present invention provides a method of making carboxylic acids from levulinic acid, such as succinic acid and 3-hydroxypropanoic acid, by reacting levulinic acid with an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide under acidic or basic conditions.

The present invention provides a method of making carboxylic acids from levulinic acid, such as succinic acid and 3-hydroxypropanoic acid, by reacting levulinic acid with an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide under acidic or basic conditions.

The present invention provides a method of making carboxylic acids from levulinic acid, such as succinic acid and 3-hydroxypropanoic acid, by reacting levulinic acid with an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide under acidic or basic conditions.

Disclosed is a method for preparing a 2-fluoroacrylate, comprising the steps of: (1) mixing a vinyl ether having the structure of formula A with dichloromonofluoromethane to yield a substituted cyclopropane compound having the structure of formula B; (2) mixing the substituted cyclopropane compound having the structure of formula B with R.sup.2OH to yield an acetal product having the structure of formula C, followed by hydrolysis to yield 2-fluoroacrylaldehyde having the structure of formula D; or reacting the substituted cyclopropane compound having the structure of formula B with water to yield 2-fluoroacrylaldehyde having the structure of formula D via hydrolysis; (3) oxidizing 2-fluoroacrylaldehyde having the structure of formula D to yield 2-fluoroacrylic acid having the structure of formula E; and (4) mixing 2-fluoroacrylic acid having the structure of formula E with R.sup.3OH to yield a 2-fluoroacrylate having the structure of formula F.

Disclosed is a method for preparing a 2-fluoroacrylate, comprising the steps of: (1) mixing a vinyl ether having the structure of formula A with dichloromonofluoromethane to yield a substituted cyclopropane compound having the structure of formula B; (2) mixing the substituted cyclopropane compound having the structure of formula B with R.sup.2OH to yield an acetal product having the structure of formula C, followed by hydrolysis to yield 2-fluoroacrylaldehyde having the structure of formula D; or reacting the substituted cyclopropane compound having the structure of formula B with water to yield 2-fluoroacrylaldehyde having the structure of formula D via hydrolysis; (3) oxidizing 2-fluoroacrylaldehyde having the structure of formula D to yield 2-fluoroacrylic acid having the structure of formula E; and (4) mixing 2-fluoroacrylic acid having the structure of formula E with R.sup.3OH to yield a 2-fluoroacrylate having the structure of formula F.

The invention is directed to a method for producing lactate. The method of the invention comprises electrochemically oxidising a catalyst at an anode, and using oxidised catalyst to oxidise propylene glycol and form lactate, thereby reducing the said oxidised catalyst.

The invention is directed to a method for producing lactate. The method of the invention comprises electrochemically oxidising a catalyst at an anode, and using oxidised catalyst to oxidise propylene glycol and form lactate, thereby reducing the said oxidised catalyst.

Methods for syntheses of organic acids from -keto acids, including methods for syntheses of isotopically encriched organic acids from -keto acids are disclosed. The isotopically enriched organic acids are useful, for example, in metabolic flux analyses.