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 a decreased selectivity for larger polyols like sorbitol and erythritol, which larger polyols are obtained generally as a side product in catalytic hydrogenolysis, when viewed in comparison to the selectivity for small alkylene glycols (like ethylene 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 a decreased selectivity for larger polyols like sorbitol and erythritol, which larger polyols are obtained generally as a side product in catalytic hydrogenolysis, when viewed in comparison to the selectivity for small alkylene glycols (like ethylene glycol and propylene glycol). This is achieved by ensuring the carbohydrate feed is rich in sucrose.

The present invention relates to novel hydroxyl compounds, compositions comprising hydroxyl compounds, and methods useful for treating and preventing a variety of diseases and conditions such as, but not limited to aging, Alzheimer's Disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, a disorder of glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia, dyslipoproteinemia, hypertension, impotence, inflammation, insulin resistance, lipid elimination in bile, obesity, oxysterol elimination in bile, pancreatitis, pancreatitis, Parkinson's disease, a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-associated disorder, phospholipid elimination in bile, renal disease, septicemia, metabolic syndrome disorders (e.g., Syndrome X), thrombotic disorder. Compounds and methods of the invention can also be used to modulate C reactive protein or enhance bile production in a patient. In certain embodiments, the compounds, compositions, and methods of the invention are useful in combination therapy with other therapeutics, such as hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic agents.

Being used for drug modification, the multi-arm single molecular weight polyethylene glycol and an active derivative thereof provided herein can effectively improve the solubility, stability, and immunogenicity of the drugs, improve the absorption of the drugs in vivo, prolong the half-life of the drugs, and increase bioavailability, enhance efficacy, and reduce toxic and side effects of the drugs. A gel formed from the active derivative of the multi-arm single molecular weight polyethylene glycol provided herein can be used for the preparation of controlled release drugs so as to prolong the action time of the drugs, thereby reducing the number of administrations and improving patient compliance.

A method of isolating and purifying a product of sugar alcohol or anhydrosugar alcohol hydrogenolysis from a reaction mixture containing sorbitans, 1,2,4-butanetriol (BTO), 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol (HTO), among other byproducts of a hydrogenolysis reaction of a sugar alcohol and/or a mono- or di-dehydrative product of a sugar alcohol is described. The method involves contacting the mixture having the products of sugar alcohol or anhydrosugar alcohol hydrogenation and other C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alcohols and polyols with a resin material adapted for chromatography under conditions where the products preferentially associates with the resin relative to other components in the mixture, and eluting products from the resin with a solvent. The method suggests a way for separation of aliphatic polyols generated from the hydrogenolysis of sugar alcohols or anhydrosugar alcohols.

A method of isolating and purifying a product of sugar alcohol or anhydrosugar alcohol hydrogenolysis from a reaction mixture containing sorbitans, 1,2,4-butanetriol (BTO), 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol (HTO), among other byproducts of a hydrogenolysis reaction of a sugar alcohol and/or a mono- or di-dehydrative product of a sugar alcohol is described. The method involves contacting the mixture having the products of sugar alcohol or anhydrosugar alcohol hydrogenation and other C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alcohols and polyols with a resin material adapted for chromatography under conditions where the products preferentially associates with the resin relative to other components in the mixture, and eluting products from the resin with a solvent. The method suggests a way for separation of aliphatic polyols generated from the hydrogenolysis of sugar alcohols or anhydrosugar alcohols.

A method of making of 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol (“tetrol”). The method includes the steps of contacting a reaction solution containing water as well as levoglucosenone, dihydrolevoglucosenone, and/or levoglucosanol, with a catalyst containing metal and acid functionalities, at temperature of from about 100° C. to about 175° C., and a hydrogen partial pressure of from about 1 bar to about 50 bar (about 0.1 MPa to about 5 MPa), and for a time wherein at least a portion of the reactant is converted into 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol.

A method of making of 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol (“tetrol”). The method includes the steps of contacting a reaction solution containing water as well as levoglucosenone, dihydrolevoglucosenone, and/or levoglucosanol, with a catalyst containing metal and acid functionalities, at temperature of from about 100° C. to about 175° C., and a hydrogen partial pressure of from about 1 bar to about 50 bar (about 0.1 MPa to about 5 MPa), and for a time wherein at least a portion of the reactant is converted into 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol.

A method of making of 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol (“tetrol”). The method includes the steps of contacting a reaction solution containing water as well as levoglucosenone, dihydrolevoglucosenone, and/or levoglucosanol, with a catalyst containing metal and acid functionalities, at temperature of from about 100° C. to about 175° C., and a hydrogen partial pressure of from about 1 bar to about 50 bar (about 0.1 MPa to about 5 MPa), and for a time wherein at least a portion of the reactant is converted into 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol.

The present invention relates to novel hydroxyl compounds, compositions comprising hydroxyl compounds, and methods useful for treating and preventing a variety of diseases and conditions such as, but not limited to aging, Alzheimer's Disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, a disorder of glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia, dyslipoproteinemia, hypertension, impotence, inflammation, insulin resistance, lipid elimination in bile, obesity, oxysterol elimination in bile, pancreatitis, pancreatitius, Parkinson's disease, a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-associated disorder, phospholipid elimination in bile, renal disease, septicemia, metabolic syndrome disorders (e.g., Syndrome X), thrombotic disorder. Compounds and methods of the invention can also be used to modulate C reactive protein or enhance bile production in a patient. In certain embodiments, the compounds, compositions, and methods of the invention are useful in combination therapy with other therapeutics, such as hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic agents.