Micromidas, Inc.

Origin Materials Operating, Inc.

Alex Benjamin Wood

Makoto Nathanael Masuno

Ryan L Smith

John Bissell

Dimitri A Hirsch-Weil

Robert Joseph Araiza

Daniel Randolph Henton

Dennis A Hucul

Shawn M Browning

James H Plonka

Douglas Cannon

John Albert Bissell, Ii

Patrick B Smith

Katherine Brune

Brian Higgins

Christian T Goralski

Benjamin F Nicholson

Dimitri A Hirsch-weil

The present disclosure provides methods to produce 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, by acid-catalyzed conversion of C6 saccharides, including isomers thereof, polymers thereof, and certain derivatives thereof. The methods make use of acids with lower concentrations, and allows for conversion of sugars into 5-(halomethyl)furfural at higher temperatures and faster reaction or residence times.

Methods for producing 5-(halomethyl)furfural

Provided herein are methods of producing dialkylfurans, such as 2,5-dimethylfuran, and other alkyl furans, such as 2-methylfuran. For example, 2,5-dimethylfuran may be produced by reducing (5-methylfuran-2-yl)methanol or 2-(chloromethyl)-5-methylfuran.

Methods of producing alkylfurans

The present disclosure provides methods for purifying a 5-(halomethyl)furfural composition, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, at operating conditions that decrease or minimize the decomposition or degradation of 5-(chloromethyl)furfural during the process. The methods may employ certain solvents, operating conditions, and/or techniques (e.g., gas stripping). The gaseous 5-(halomethyl)furfural produced from the process can be condensed or deposited to yield 5-(halomethyl)furfural in liquid or solid form. The solid 5-(halomethyl)furfural may be amorphous or crystalline.

Methods for purifying 5-(halomethyl)furfural

Provided herein are methods of producing halomethylfuroic and acyloxymethylfuroic acid and ester compounds from furfural starting compounds. For example, 5-chloromethyl-2-furoic acid may be produced from 5-chloromethylfurfural, in the presence of various oxidants. Salts of the furoic acids may also be produced.

Oxidation chemistry on furan aldehydes

Provided herein are (phenylene)dialkanamines, and methods of producing such (phenylene)dialkanamines from various furanyl and benzyl compounds. Such furanyl compounds may include, for example, bis(nitroalkyl)furans, bis(aminoalkyl)furans, and nitroalkyl(furan)acetonitriles. Such compounds may include, for example, bis(nitroalkyl)benzenes. Provided herein are also alkyldiamines, and methods for producing such alkyldiamines from furanyl compounds.

Diamine compounds, dinitro compounds and other compounds, and methods of producing thereof and uses related thereof

The present disclosure provides methods to produce substituted furans (e.g., halomethylfurfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, and furfural), by acid-catalyzed conversion of biomass using a gaseous acid in a multiphase reactor, such as a fluidized bed reactor.

Utilizing a multiphase reactor for the conversion of biomass to produce substituted furans

The present disclosure provides methods to produce para-xylene, toluene, and other compounds from renewable sources (e.g., cellulose, hemicellulose) and ethylene in the presence of an acid, such as a Lewis acid. For example, cellulose and/or hemicellulose may be converted into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) and 2-methylfuran, which may be converted into para-xylene and toluene, respectively. In particular, para-xylene can then be oxidized to form terephthalic acid.

Methods of producing para-xylene and terephthalic acid

Provided herein are methods of producing dialkylfurans, such as 2,5-dimethylfuran, and other alkyl furans, such as 2-methylfuran. For example, 2,5-dimethylfuran may be produced by hydrogenation of (5-methylfuran-2-yl) methanol or 2-(chloromethyl)-5-methylfuran in the presence of a solid supported metal catalyst having an excess of either basic or acidic sites (as determined by chemisorption of CO2 or NH3). The process could further include a urea reagent (TMU, DMPU, TMI) and an alkyl benzene.

Provided herein are methods that utilize polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as a substrate for further conversion to C4 and C5 compounds. Polyhydroxyalkanoates can undergo esterification to yield alkyl hydroxyalkanoates and alkyl alkenoates, which may serve as useful precursors in the production of alkadienes and alkenedioic acids, including for example butadiene and butenedioic acid.

Growing community of inventors

Sacramento, CA, United States of America

Alex Benjamin Wood