A process for producing a composition having a ratio by weight of C.sub.10-C.sub.26 monobranched fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof to C.sub.10-C.sub.26 polybranched fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof of greater than 6 using a zeolite, preferably ferrierite, isomerization catalyst. The zeolite catalyst is preferably the only isomerization catalyst used. The zeolite catalyst can be reused many times after simple separation from the reaction products without having to be regenerated.

A process for producing a composition having a ratio by weight of C.sub.10-C.sub.26 monobranched fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof to C.sub.10-C.sub.26 polybranched fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof of greater than 6 using a zeolite, preferably ferrierite, isomerization catalyst. The zeolite catalyst is preferably the only isomerization catalyst used. The zeolite catalyst can be reused many times after simple separation from the reaction products without having to be regenerated.

The present invention relates to the technical field of chiral synthesis, and specifically provides the synthesis and use of a new type of oxa-spirodiphosphine ligands. The bisphosphine ligand is prepared with oxa-spirobisphenol as a starting material after triflation, palladium catalyzed coupling with diaryl phosphine oxide, reduction of trichlorosilane, further palladium catalyzed coupling with diaryl phosphine oxide, and further reduction of trichlorosilane. The oxa-spiro compound has central chirality, and thus includes L-oxa-spirodiphosphine ligand and R-oxa-spirodiphosphine ligand. The racemic spirodiphosphine ligand is capable of being synthesized from racemic oxa-spirobisphenol as a raw material. The present invention can be used as a chiral ligand in the asymmetric hydrogenation of unsaturated carboxylic acids. The complex of the ligand with ruthenium can achieve an enantioselectivity of greater than 99% in the asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl-cinnamic acid.

The present invention relates to the technical field of chiral synthesis, and specifically provides the synthesis and use of a new type of oxa-spirodiphosphine ligands. The bisphosphine ligand is prepared with oxa-spirobisphenol as a starting material after triflation, palladium catalyzed coupling with diaryl phosphine oxide, reduction of trichlorosilane, further palladium catalyzed coupling with diaryl phosphine oxide, and further reduction of trichlorosilane. The oxa-spiro compound has central chirality, and thus includes L-oxa-spirodiphosphine ligand and R-oxa-spirodiphosphine ligand. The racemic spirodiphosphine ligand is capable of being synthesized from racemic oxa-spirobisphenol as a raw material. The present invention can be used as a chiral ligand in the asymmetric hydrogenation of unsaturated carboxylic acids. The complex of the ligand with ruthenium can achieve an enantioselectivity of greater than 99% in the asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl-cinnamic acid.

The present disclosure relates to a method for preparation of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. According to the present disclosure, two step reduction reactions are conducted using terephthalic acid as starting material, and an isomerization process for increasing the rate of trans isomers of CHDA is introduced therebetween, thereby providing a method capable of stably preparing CHDM with high rate of trans isomers.

The present disclosure relates to a method for preparation of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. According to the present disclosure, two step reduction reactions are conducted using terephthalic acid as starting material, and an isomerization process for increasing the rate of trans isomers of CHDA is introduced therebetween, thereby providing a method capable of stably preparing CHDM with high rate of trans isomers.

Disclosed are methods or processes of synthesizing building blocks and feedstocks for producing a broader range of polymers, including renewable polymers, from renewable resources such as CO.sub.2. In a process of manufacturing a renewable feedstock for polymer production, a CO.sub.2 derived lactone is prepared and processed to form the renewable feedstock. The process may include alkoxycarbonylation of the CO.sub.2 derived lactone to form a diester and hydrogenation of the diester.

Disclosed are methods or processes of synthesizing building blocks and feedstocks for producing a broader range of polymers, including renewable polymers, from renewable resources such as CO.sub.2. In a process of manufacturing a renewable feedstock for polymer production, a CO.sub.2 derived lactone is prepared and processed to form the renewable feedstock. The process may include alkoxycarbonylation of the CO.sub.2 derived lactone to form a diester and hydrogenation of the diester.

Described herein are methods of preparing cutin-derived monomers, oligomers, or combinations thereof from cutin-containing plant matter. The methods can include heating the cutin-derived plant matter in a solvent at elevated temperature and pressure. In some preferred embodiments, the methods can be carried out without the use of additional acidic or basic species.

Described herein are methods of preparing cutin-derived monomers, oligomers, or combinations thereof from cutin-containing plant matter. The methods can include heating the cutin-derived plant matter in a solvent at elevated temperature and pressure. In some preferred embodiments, the methods can be carried out without the use of additional acidic or basic species.