The present invention is directed to a method for preparing a final phenolic product from biomass comprising the steps of providing a furanic compound obtainable from biomass; reacting the furanic compound with a dienophile to obtain a phenolic compound; reacting the phenolic compound further to obtain the final phenolic product.

The present invention is directed to a method for preparing a final phenolic product from biomass comprising the steps of providing a furanic compound obtainable from biomass; reacting the furanic compound with a dienophile to obtain a phenolic compound; reacting the phenolic compound further to obtain the final phenolic product.

The present invention relates to hydroxy-triglycerides, their synthesis, a pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical composition which comprises at least one of said hydroxy-triglycerides, and a method which comprises the administration to a patient of a therapeutically effective quantity of at least one of said hydroxy-triglycerides or at least one of said pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical compositions, for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease selected from cancer, metabolic/cardiovascular diseases, and/or neurological/inflammatory diseases.

The present invention relates to hydroxy-triglycerides, their synthesis, a pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical composition which comprises at least one of said hydroxy-triglycerides, and a method which comprises the administration to a patient of a therapeutically effective quantity of at least one of said hydroxy-triglycerides or at least one of said pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical compositions, for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease selected from cancer, metabolic/cardiovascular diseases, and/or neurological/inflammatory diseases.

A dielectric fluid composition for electrical apparatus comprises a functionalized 12-hydroxy stearic acid having desirable properties including a pour point less than −30° C. and a fire point greater than 250° C. It may be prepared by a process wherein 12-hydroxy methyl stearate is transesterified by reaction with a C3-C20 alcohol to form an alkyl-12-hydroxy stearate, followed by esterification thereof with a linear or branched C4-C20 carboxylic acid. This acid may be a free acid chloride, a fatty acid, a carboxylic acid anhydride, or combination thereof. The resulting functionalized 12-hydroxy stearic acid exhibits improved thermoxidative capability, low temperature flowability, and increased fire point.

A dielectric fluid composition for electrical apparatus comprises a functionalized 12-hydroxy stearic acid having desirable properties including a pour point less than −30° C. and a fire point greater than 250° C. It may be prepared by a process wherein 12-hydroxy methyl stearate is transesterified by reaction with a C3-C20 alcohol to form an alkyl-12-hydroxy stearate, followed by esterification thereof with a linear or branched C4-C20 carboxylic acid. This acid may be a free acid chloride, a fatty acid, a carboxylic acid anhydride, or combination thereof. The resulting functionalized 12-hydroxy stearic acid exhibits improved thermoxidative capability, low temperature flowability, and increased fire point.

A method of preparing a compound of formula (IV)

##STR00001##

where R.sub.1 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, comprises reacting cyclohexene with hydrogen peroxide and an alcohol R.sub.1OH in the presence of a catalyst comprising a zeolite of framework structure MWW, wherein the framework of the zeolite comprises silicon, titanium, boron, oxygen and hydrogen.

A method of preparing a compound of formula (IV)

##STR00001##

where R.sub.1 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, comprises reacting cyclohexene with hydrogen peroxide and an alcohol R.sub.1OH in the presence of a catalyst comprising a zeolite of framework structure MWW, wherein the framework of the zeolite comprises silicon, titanium, boron, oxygen and hydrogen.

A method of production of malic acid includes treating a first intermediate product to form a second intermediate product. The treating includes substantially removing impurities from the first intermediate product to obtain a treated intermediate product by gas stripping the crude maleic anhydride, or subjecting a mixture of one or more of the crude maleic acid, the crude fumaric acid, and the vent gas scrubber solution obtained from a phthalic anhydride production process or a maleic anhydride production process to crystallization, passing an aqueous solution of the treated intermediate product through a carbon column to substantially remove retained impurities to form the second intermediate product, obtaining a feed that includes the second intermediate product, and causing the feed to undergo hydration reaction in a tubular reactor or a continuous stirred tank reactor to produce malic acid.

A method of production of malic acid includes treating a first intermediate product to form a second intermediate product. The treating includes substantially removing impurities from the first intermediate product to obtain a treated intermediate product by gas stripping the crude maleic anhydride, or subjecting a mixture of one or more of the crude maleic acid, the crude fumaric acid, and the vent gas scrubber solution obtained from a phthalic anhydride production process or a maleic anhydride production process to crystallization, passing an aqueous solution of the treated intermediate product through a carbon column to substantially remove retained impurities to form the second intermediate product, obtaining a feed that includes the second intermediate product, and causing the feed to undergo hydration reaction in a tubular reactor or a continuous stirred tank reactor to produce malic acid.