The invention relates to a process for preparing a mixture of alkylene glycols (e.g. ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol) from a carbohydrate source by catalytic conversion with hydrogen. More specifically, the catalytic hydrogenolysis process of the invention has an increased selectivity for glycerol, next to producing considerable amounts of ethyelene glycol and propylene glycol. This is achieved by ensuring the carbohydrate feed is rich in sucrose.

The invention relates to a process for preparing a mixture of alkylene glycols (e.g. ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol) from a carbohydrate source by catalytic conversion with hydrogen. More specifically, the catalytic hydrogenolysis process of the invention has an increased selectivity for glycerol, next to producing considerable amounts of ethyelene glycol and propylene glycol. This is achieved by ensuring the carbohydrate feed is rich in sucrose.

Method for hydrogenating an ester with molecular hydrogen to the corresponding alcohols in the presence of a ruthenium complex (I), wherein said complex comprises a tridentate ligand L of the general formula (II) ##STR00001##
n and m are each independently 0 or 1, and the solid-dashed double lines represent a single or double bond, with the proviso that in the case of n=1 both solid-dashed double lines represent a single bond and m is 1, and in the case of n=0 one solid-dashed double line represents a single bond and the other solid-dashed double line represents a double bond, wherein in the case of a double bond on the side facing the phenyl ring m=1, in the case of a double bond on the side facing the pyridyl ring m=0, or both solid-dashed double lines represent a single bond and m is 1.

Method for hydrogenating an ester with molecular hydrogen to the corresponding alcohols in the presence of a ruthenium complex (I), wherein said complex comprises a tridentate ligand L of the general formula (II) ##STR00001##
n and m are each independently 0 or 1, and the solid-dashed double lines represent a single or double bond, with the proviso that in the case of n=1 both solid-dashed double lines represent a single bond and m is 1, and in the case of n=0 one solid-dashed double line represents a single bond and the other solid-dashed double line represents a double bond, wherein in the case of a double bond on the side facing the phenyl ring m=1, in the case of a double bond on the side facing the pyridyl ring m=0, or both solid-dashed double lines represent a single bond and m is 1.

An apparatus for forming C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof from carbon dioxide and hydrogen is described. The apparatus comprises: a dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, device arranged to generate a plasma; and a passageway having an inlet for the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen and an outlet for the C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof and including therein a catalyst comprising nickel and/or cobalt and/or copper on a support. The passageway extends, at least in part, through the DBD device wherein, in use, the carbon dioxide is exposed to the catalyst in the presence of the hydrogen in the generated plasma, thereby forming the C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof from at least some of the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen. The DBD devices comprises a water electrode. A method and a catalyst are also described.

An apparatus for forming C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof from carbon dioxide and hydrogen is described. The apparatus comprises: a dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, device arranged to generate a plasma; and a passageway having an inlet for the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen and an outlet for the C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof and including therein a catalyst comprising nickel and/or cobalt and/or copper on a support. The passageway extends, at least in part, through the DBD device wherein, in use, the carbon dioxide is exposed to the catalyst in the presence of the hydrogen in the generated plasma, thereby forming the C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof from at least some of the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen. The DBD devices comprises a water electrode. A method and a catalyst are also described.

Method for hydrogenating an ester with molecular hydrogen to the corresponding alcohols in the presence of a ruthenium complex (I), wherein said complex comprises a tridentate ligand L of the general formula (II)

##STR00001##

n and m are each independently 0 or 1, and the solid-dashed double lines represent a single or double bond, with the proviso that in the case of n=1 both solid-dashed double lines represent a single bond and m is 1, and in the case of n=0 one solid-dashed double line represents a single bond and the other solid-dashed double line represents a double bond, wherein in the case of a double bond on the side facing the phenyl ring m=1, in the case of a double bond on the side facing the pyridyl ring m=0, or both solid-dashed double lines represent a single bond and m is 1.

Method for hydrogenating an ester with molecular hydrogen to the corresponding alcohols in the presence of a ruthenium complex (I), wherein said complex comprises a tridentate ligand L of the general formula (II)

##STR00001##

n and m are each independently 0 or 1, and the solid-dashed double lines represent a single or double bond, with the proviso that in the case of n=1 both solid-dashed double lines represent a single bond and m is 1, and in the case of n=0 one solid-dashed double line represents a single bond and the other solid-dashed double line represents a double bond, wherein in the case of a double bond on the side facing the phenyl ring m=1, in the case of a double bond on the side facing the pyridyl ring m=0, or both solid-dashed double lines represent a single bond and m is 1.

The present disclosure provides a method of preparing a catalyst for synthesizing dimethyl ether or methylacetate from synthetic gas that includes preparing a nanosheet ferrierite zeolite (FER), and co-precipitating the nanosheet ferrierite zeolite and a precursor of a Cu—Zn—Al-based oxide (CZA) to obtain a hybrid CZA/FER catalyst.

The present disclosure provides a method of preparing a catalyst for synthesizing dimethyl ether or methylacetate from synthetic gas that includes preparing a nanosheet ferrierite zeolite (FER), and co-precipitating the nanosheet ferrierite zeolite and a precursor of a Cu—Zn—Al-based oxide (CZA) to obtain a hybrid CZA/FER catalyst.