The invention relates to a novel catalyst for hydrogenation for hydrogenating at least one of dicarboxylic acid or its acid anhydride. The catalyst for hydrogenation according to a first embodiment is obtained by supporting at least one of palladium or platinum, and cobalt on a carrier, and subjecting the resulting carrier to a reduction treatment at 400 K or higher. The catalyst for hydrogenation according to a second embodiment is obtained by supporting at least one of palladium or platinum, and molybdenum on a carrier, and subjecting the resulting carrier to a reduction treatment at 500 K or higher.

The invention relates to a novel catalyst for hydrogenation for hydrogenating at least one of dicarboxylic acid or its acid anhydride. The catalyst for hydrogenation according to a first embodiment is obtained by supporting at least one of palladium or platinum, and cobalt on a carrier, and subjecting the resulting carrier to a reduction treatment at 400 K or higher. The catalyst for hydrogenation according to a second embodiment is obtained by supporting at least one of palladium or platinum, and molybdenum on a carrier, and subjecting the resulting carrier to a reduction treatment at 500 K or higher.

Processes for preparing tetrahydrofuran and/or butane-1,4-diol and/or gamma-butyrolactone are provided, including a process for preparing tetrahydrofuran (THF) from succinic acid that has been obtained by conversion of biomass, by conversion of the succinic acid to succinic anhydride, and hydrogenation of the succinic anhydride, with removal of certain secondary components.

Processes for preparing tetrahydrofuran and/or butane-1,4-diol and/or gamma-butyrolactone are provided, including a process for preparing tetrahydrofuran (THF) from succinic acid that has been obtained by conversion of biomass, by conversion of the succinic acid to succinic anhydride, and hydrogenation of the succinic anhydride, with removal of certain secondary components.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to processes for the production of (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybyrate. Poly (R)-3-hydroxybyrate is transesterified with an alcohol, to form a first ester portion and a second ester portion. The first ester portion is reduced to the diol to form a diol portion and the diol portion is reacted with the second ester portion to produce (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybyrate.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to processes for the production of (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybyrate. Poly (R)-3-hydroxybyrate is transesterified with an alcohol, to form a first ester portion and a second ester portion. The first ester portion is reduced to the diol to form a diol portion and the diol portion is reacted with the second ester portion to produce (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybyrate.

A product 1,3-butylene glycol, in which 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatives of 2-(hydroxyethyl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane have a weight proportion of 90 ppm or less, as calculated from a sum of absorbance of peaks thereof in an HPLC analysis under specific conditions after specific sample preparation.

A product 1,3-butylene glycol, in which 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatives of 2-(hydroxyethyl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane have a weight proportion of 90 ppm or less, as calculated from a sum of absorbance of peaks thereof in an HPLC analysis under specific conditions after specific sample preparation.

The present invention relates to a process for the separation of 1,3 and 1,4-butanediol from a mixture thereof.

The present invention relates to a process for the separation of 1,3 and 1,4-butanediol from a mixture thereof.