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 relates to a process for the concentration of a water-soluble organic peroxide, preferably an alkyl hydroperoxide, by reverse osmosis as well as to a process for the separation of a water-soluble organic peroxide and of a water-insoluble compound.

The present invention relates to a process for the concentration of a water-soluble organic peroxide, preferably an alkyl hydroperoxide, by reverse osmosis as well as to a process for the separation of a water-soluble organic peroxide and of a water-insoluble compound.

A process for converting light paraffins (especially C.sub.3-C.sub.5) to middle distillate and higher boiling range liquid hydrocarbons by (1) oxygen or air oxidation of iso-paraffins to alkyl hydroperoxides; (2) conversion of alkyl hydroperoxides to dialkyl peroxides; (3) radical coupling of paraffins using the dialkyl peroxides as radical initiators forming heavier hydrocarbon products; and (4) fractionation of the heavy hydrocarbon products. The net reaction is catalytically converting light paraffins to heavier hydrocarbons using oxygen or air to effect the conversion.

A process for converting light paraffins (especially C.sub.3-C.sub.5) to middle distillate and higher boiling range liquid hydrocarbons by (1) oxygen or air oxidation of iso-paraffins to alkyl hydroperoxides; (2) conversion of alkyl hydroperoxides to dialkyl peroxides; (3) radical coupling of paraffins using the dialkyl peroxides as radical initiators forming heavier hydrocarbon products; and (4) fractionation of the heavy hydrocarbon products. The net reaction is catalytically converting light paraffins to heavier hydrocarbons using oxygen or air to effect the conversion.

The invention relates to a method for purifying an alkyl hydroperoxide from dialkyl peroxide thereof, comprising a step of distillation in the presence of alcohol and water followed by extraction of the condensates using a hydrocarbon or a hydrocarbon blend.

The invention relates to a method for purifying an alkyl hydroperoxide from dialkyl peroxide thereof, comprising a step of distillation in the presence of alcohol and water followed by extraction of the condensates using a hydrocarbon or a hydrocarbon blend.

A process for converting light paraffins to a high octane gasoline composition is disclosed. The process involves: (1) oxidation of iso-paraffins to alkyl hydroperoxides and alcohol; (2) conversion of the alkyl hydroperoxides and alcohol to dialkyl peroxides; and (3) radical coupling of iso-paraffins using the dialkyl peroxides as radical initiators, thereby forming gasoline-range molecules. Fractionation of the gasoline-range molecules can then be used to isolate high octane gasoline fractions having a road octane number [(RON+MON)/2] greater than 110.

A process for converting light paraffins to a high octane gasoline composition is disclosed. The process involves: (1) oxidation of iso-paraffins to alkyl hydroperoxides and alcohol; (2) conversion of the alkyl hydroperoxides and alcohol to dialkyl peroxides; and (3) radical coupling of iso-paraffins using the dialkyl peroxides as radical initiators, thereby forming gasoline-range molecules. Fractionation of the gasoline-range molecules can then be used to isolate high octane gasoline fractions having a road octane number [(RON+MON)/2] greater than 110.