The invention is an integrated thermochemical process, also known as a looped-oxide catalysis, for providing an upgraded biofuel composition from a biomass-derived feedstock. First, the feedstock is deoxygenated through reaction with a low-valence metal oxide or zero-valent metal to yield a deoxygenated biofuel composition and a high-valence metal oxide. Second, the low-valence metal oxide is regenerated by reducing the high-valence metal oxide using solar thermal energy.

The invention is an integrated thermochemical process, also known as a looped-oxide catalysis, for providing an upgraded biofuel composition from a biomass-derived feedstock. First, the feedstock is deoxygenated through reaction with a low-valence metal oxide or zero-valent metal to yield a deoxygenated biofuel composition and a high-valence metal oxide. Second, the low-valence metal oxide is regenerated by reducing the high-valence metal oxide using solar thermal energy.

The present disclosure relates to a method that includes a first treating of a first mixture that includes a carboxylic acid having between 2 and 12 carbon atoms, inclusively, to form a second mixture that includes a ketone having between 2 and 25 carbon atoms, inclusively, and a second treating of at least a first portion of the second mixture to form a first product that includes a paraffin having 8 or more carbon atoms.

The present disclosure relates to a method that includes a first treating of a first mixture that includes a carboxylic acid having between 2 and 12 carbon atoms, inclusively, to form a second mixture that includes a ketone having between 2 and 25 carbon atoms, inclusively, and a second treating of at least a first portion of the second mixture to form a first product that includes a paraffin having 8 or more carbon atoms.

A process for the production of organic acids having at least three carbon atoms comprises the steps of forming an amount of carbon monoxide and reacting the amount of carbon monoxide with an amount of an unsaturated hydrocarbon. The reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of a supported palladium catalyst, a strong acid, and a phosphine. In some embodiments, the unsaturated hydrocarbon is one of acetylene and methylacetylene, and the organic acid is one of acrylic acid and methyl acrylic acid. The reacting step is preferably performed with carbon monoxide produced from carbon dioxide.

A process for the production of organic acids having at least three carbon atoms comprises the steps of forming an amount of carbon monoxide and reacting the amount of carbon monoxide with an amount of an unsaturated hydrocarbon. The reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of a supported palladium catalyst, a strong acid, and a phosphine. In some embodiments, the unsaturated hydrocarbon is one of acetylene and methylacetylene, and the organic acid is one of acrylic acid and methyl acrylic acid. The reacting step is preferably performed with carbon monoxide produced from carbon dioxide.

A process for the production of organic acids having at least three carbon atoms comprises the steps of forming an amount of carbon monoxide and reacting the amount of carbon monoxide with an amount of an unsaturated hydrocarbon. The reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of a supported palladium catalyst, a strong acid, and a phosphine. In some embodiments, the unsaturated hydrocarbon is one of acetylene and methylacetylene, and the organic acid is one of acrylic acid and methyl acrylic acid. The reacting step is preferably performed with carbon monoxide produced from carbon dioxide.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for synthesizing a fatty olefin derivative. The method includes: a) contacting an olefin according to Formula I

##STR00001##

with a metathesis reaction partner according to Formula IIb

##STR00002##

in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesis product according to Formula IIIb:

##STR00003##

and
b) converting the metathesis product to the fatty olefin derivative. Each R.sup.1 is independently selected from H, C.sub.1-18 alkyl, and C.sub.2-18 alkenyl; R.sup.2b is C.sub.1-8 alkyl; subscript y is an integer ranging from 0 to 17; and subscript z is an integer ranging from 0 to 17. In certain embodiments, the metathesis catalyst is a tungsten catalyst or a molybdenum catalyst. In various embodiments, the fatty olefin derivative is a pheromone. Pheromone compositions and methods of using them are also described.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for synthesizing a fatty olefin derivative. The method includes: a) contacting an olefin according to Formula I

##STR00001##

with a metathesis reaction partner according to Formula IIb

##STR00002##

in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesis product according to Formula IIIb:

##STR00003##

and
b) converting the metathesis product to the fatty olefin derivative. Each R.sup.1 is independently selected from H, C.sub.1-18 alkyl, and C.sub.2-18 alkenyl; R.sup.2b is C.sub.1-8 alkyl; subscript y is an integer ranging from 0 to 17; and subscript z is an integer ranging from 0 to 17. In certain embodiments, the metathesis catalyst is a tungsten catalyst or a molybdenum catalyst. In various embodiments, the fatty olefin derivative is a pheromone. Pheromone compositions and methods of using them are also described.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for synthesizing a fatty olefin derivative. The method includes: a) contacting an olefin according to Formula I

##STR00001##

with a metathesis reaction partner according to Formula IIb

##STR00002##

in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesis product according to Formula IIIb:

##STR00003##

and
b) converting the metathesis product to the fatty olefin derivative. Each R.sup.1 is independently selected from H, C.sub.1-18 alkyl, and C.sub.2-18 alkenyl; R.sup.2b is C.sub.1-8 alkyl; subscript y is an integer ranging from 0 to 17; and subscript z is an integer ranging from 0 to 17. In certain embodiments, the metathesis catalyst is a tungsten catalyst or a molybdenum catalyst. In various embodiments, the fatty olefin derivative is a pheromone. Pheromone compositions and methods of using them are also described.