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.

The invention provides efficient cyclization processes of hydroxyalkenoic acids and products produced therefrom. The following reactions are claimed: Formula (I), (II), (V) and (VI).

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The invention provides efficient cyclization processes of hydroxyalkenoic acids and products produced therefrom. The following reactions are claimed: Formula (I), (II), (V) and (VI).

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A method for the catalytic conversion of ketoacids, including methods for increasing the molecular weight of ketoacids, the method comprising the steps of providing in a reactor a feedstock comprising at least one ketoacid. The feedstock is then subjected to one or more CC coupling reaction(s) in the presence of hydrogen, and in the presence of a catalyst system having both hydrogenation activity and CC coupling activity.

A method for the catalytic conversion of ketoacids, including methods for increasing the molecular weight of ketoacids, the method comprising the steps of providing in a reactor a feedstock comprising at least one ketoacid. The feedstock is then subjected to one or more CC coupling reaction(s) in the presence of hydrogen, and in the presence of a catalyst system having both hydrogenation activity and CC coupling activity.

Processes for producing 2,5-dichlorophenol and 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid are described. Various processes for isomerizing 2,4-dichlorophenol over a zeolite catalyst to form 2,5-dichlorophenol are provided. Processes for preparing 2,5-dichlorophenol including hydroxylating 1,4-dichlorobenzene are also described. The present invention also relates to processes for producing 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid.

Processes for producing 2,5-dichlorophenol and 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid are described. Various processes for isomerizing 2,4-dichlorophenol over a zeolite catalyst to form 2,5-dichlorophenol are provided. Processes for preparing 2,5-dichlorophenol including hydroxylating 1,4-dichlorobenzene are also described. The present invention also relates to processes for producing 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid.

Processes for producing 2,5-dichlorophenol and 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid are described. Various processes for isomerizing 2,4-dichlorophenol over a zeolite catalyst to form 2,5-dichlorophenol are provided. Processes for preparing 2,5-dichlorophenol including hydroxylating 1,4-dichlorobenzene are also described. The present invention also relates to processes for producing 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid.

A process for preparing an aromatic compound or compounds where at least one mandelic group CHOHCOOH is described, comprising a reaction for condensation of at least one aromatic compound with glyoxylic acid or derivatives thereof, wherein said condensation reaction is carried out substantially in the absence of any acid or any base added to the reaction medium. The condensation reaction is followed by an oxidation reaction in order to obtain aromatic aldehyde.

A process for preparing an aromatic compound or compounds where at least one mandelic group CHOHCOOH is described, comprising a reaction for condensation of at least one aromatic compound with glyoxylic acid or derivatives thereof, wherein said condensation reaction is carried out substantially in the absence of any acid or any base added to the reaction medium. The condensation reaction is followed by an oxidation reaction in order to obtain aromatic aldehyde.