This invention relates to a process for preparing succinic acid and succinate ester from a succinic acid salt in fermentation broth. In the first stage of this invention, renewable carbon resources are utilized to produce succinic acid through biological fermentation. The succinic acid salt in the fermentation process is subjected to double displacement reaction with a strong acid leading to release of succinic acid. Succinic acid is recovered by fractional crystallization integrated with simulated moving bed chromatography to produce succinic acid and succinate ester.

This invention relates to a process for preparing succinic acid and succinate ester from a succinic acid salt in fermentation broth. In the first stage of this invention, renewable carbon resources are utilized to produce succinic acid through biological fermentation. The succinic acid salt in the fermentation process is subjected to double displacement reaction with a strong acid leading to release of succinic acid. Succinic acid is recovered by fractional crystallization integrated with simulated moving bed chromatography to produce succinic acid and succinate ester.

A method of making terephthalic acid via reductive coupling of two molecules of propiolic acid or propiolic acid derivatives is presented. The reductive coupling can be catalyzed by compounds comprising metals, and propiolic acid or propiolic acid derivatives can be produced from acetylene and carbon dioxide. At least 4 of the 8 carbons in the terephthalic acid are non-fossil-derived.

A method of making terephthalic acid via reductive coupling of two molecules of propiolic acid or propiolic acid derivatives is presented. The reductive coupling can be catalyzed by compounds comprising metals, and propiolic acid or propiolic acid derivatives can be produced from acetylene and carbon dioxide. At least 4 of the 8 carbons in the terephthalic acid are non-fossil-derived.

The present application relates to a process for preparation of a compound of Formula (I): wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are as described herein and salts thereof and to a process of preparing such a compound. The present application also relates to a polymer of Formula (V): wherein R.sup.3, Y, i, j, s, and m are as described herein and to a process for preparation of such polymers.

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The present application relates to a process for preparation of a compound of Formula (I): wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are as described herein and salts thereof and to a process of preparing such a compound. The present application also relates to a polymer of Formula (V): wherein R.sup.3, Y, i, j, s, and m are as described herein and to a process for preparation of such polymers.

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This invention relates to polymerization of muconic acid and its derivatives. Muconic acid useful for the invention can be in any of its isomeric forms including cis, cis-muconic acid (ccMA), cis, trans-muconic acid (ctMA), and trans, trans-muconic acid (ttMA). Muconic acid used in the invention can be derived either from renewable carbon resources through biological fermentation or from non-renewable petrochemical resources through biological fermentation or chemical conversion.

This invention relates to polymerization of muconic acid and its derivatives. Muconic acid useful for the invention can be in any of its isomeric forms including cis, cis-muconic acid (ccMA), cis, trans-muconic acid (ctMA), and trans, trans-muconic acid (ttMA). Muconic acid used in the invention can be derived either from renewable carbon resources through biological fermentation or from non-renewable petrochemical resources through biological fermentation or chemical conversion.