Disclosed is the oxidation of uronic acids, such as galacturonic acid, to the corresponding aldaric acids, such as galactaric acid, under neutral or acidic conditions. Use is made of a supported gold catalyst. The oxidation occurs in good selectivity and yield, under unexpectedly mild conditions. A source of galacturonic acids is pectins, such as from sugar beet pulp.

A method of converting lignin to phenolic compounds and dicarboxylates in high yield is described. The method involves the use of peroxy acids to react with lignin at a moderated treatment conditions. The peroxy acids can be used along or in combination of other catalysts that have the capability to lower the molecular weight of lignin. A phenolic compounds yield is achieved (>60%) and these phenolic compounds represents high value precursors for various applications include but not limited to antioxidants, health improvement agents, anticorrosive agents, liquid fuel components and performance enhancing agents, resin and adhesives. Dicarboxylic acids can be used for polymer applications or hydrodeoxygenation to hydrocarbon fuel.

A method of converting lignin to phenolic compounds and dicarboxylates in high yield is described. The method involves the use of peroxy acids to react with lignin at a moderated treatment conditions. The peroxy acids can be used along or in combination of other catalysts that have the capability to lower the molecular weight of lignin. A phenolic compounds yield is achieved (>60%) and these phenolic compounds represents high value precursors for various applications include but not limited to antioxidants, health improvement agents, anticorrosive agents, liquid fuel components and performance enhancing agents, resin and adhesives. Dicarboxylic acids can be used for polymer applications or hydrodeoxygenation to hydrocarbon fuel.

A method of converting lignin to phenolic compounds and dicarboxylates in high yield is described. The method involves the use of peroxy acids to react with lignin at a moderated treatment conditions. The peroxy acids can be used along or in combination of other catalysts that have the capability to lower the molecular weight of lignin. A phenolic compounds yield is achieved (>60%) and these phenolic compounds represents high value precursors for various applications include but not limited to antioxidants, health improvement agents, anticorrosive agents, liquid fuel components and performance enhancing agents, resin and adhesives. Dicarboxylic acids can be used for polymer applications or hydrodeoxygenation to hydrocarbon fuel.

The present invention is directed to an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly process for the production of chemical target compounds from cellulosic material. In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a system for conducting the process according to the inventive process.

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.

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.

A catalyst for catalytic oxidation of furfural to prepare maleic acid, relating to the technical field of renewable energy. The catalyst is a mixture of a bromide and a base. A method for preparing the catalyst in catalytic oxidation of furfural to prepare maleic acid. The method includes: mixing the furfural, the bromide-base, an oxidant and a solvent to carry out a reaction to obtain the maleic acid. The present invention has the advantages that the method has a relatively high conversion rate of furfural and a relatively high yield of maleic acid, the conversion rate of furfural is up to 99%, the yield of maleic acid is up to 68.04%; and the catalyst has a high catalytic selectivity and reusability.

A catalyst for catalytic oxidation of furfural to prepare maleic acid, relating to the technical field of renewable energy. The catalyst is a mixture of a bromide and a base. A method for preparing the catalyst in catalytic oxidation of furfural to prepare maleic acid. The method includes: mixing the furfural, the bromide-base, an oxidant and a solvent to carry out a reaction to obtain the maleic acid. The present invention has the advantages that the method has a relatively high conversion rate of furfural and a relatively high yield of maleic acid, the conversion rate of furfural is up to 99%, the yield of maleic acid is up to 68.04%; and the catalyst has a high catalytic selectivity and reusability.

A catalyst for catalytic oxidation of furfural to prepare maleic acid, relating to the technical field of renewable energy. The catalyst is a mixture of a bromide and a base. A method for preparing the catalyst in catalytic oxidation of furfural to prepare maleic acid. The method includes: mixing the furfural, the bromide-base, an oxidant and a solvent to carry out a reaction to obtain the maleic acid. The present invention has the advantages that the method has a relatively high conversion rate of furfural and a relatively high yield of maleic acid, the conversion rate of furfural is up to 99%, the yield of maleic acid is up to 68.04%; and the catalyst has a high catalytic selectivity and reusability.