Archer Daniels Midland Company

Danisco US Inc.

Erin Rockafellow

Erik Christopher Hagberg

Kenneth Stensrud

Alexandra Sanborn

Brennan Alexander Smith

Stephen J Howard

Joshua Terrian

Bradley R Kelemen

Kristin Y Nose Crotty

Colin Fritz

Jacob Summerlott

Erik Hagberg

Described are compositions and methods relating to the measurement of glucose derivable from the cellulosic components of a feedstock. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for ensuring that biofuel producers comply with the Renewable Fuel Standard while maximizing the value of the biofuel they produce.

Increasing severity acid hydrolysis assays for determining the amount of glucose derivable from cellulose in feedstocks

A method for acid-catalyzed acylation of an isohexide is described. The method involves a reaction of an isohexide and an excess of carboxylic acid in the presence of a Lewis acid or a Brnsted acid catalyst. One or more Lewis acid or Brnsted acid can facilitate conversion of isohexides to their corresponding mono and diesters with a pronounced greater regio-selectivity of exo-OH over endo-OH of the isohexide in the product. Particular catalytic acid species include zirconium chloride (ZrCl) and phosphonic acid (HPO), which manifest a ratio of exo:endo regioselectivity of about 5.0&#x2260;3:1 and about 4.00.3:1, respectively.

Enhanced regio-selectivity in glycol acylation

A method for preparing esters from isohexide compounds, and a means by which color bodies that may be made in situ during esterification of isohexide compounds are either prevented from forming or their amounts are minimized in the resultant product mixture are described.

Control of color-body formation in isohexide esterification

Disclosed is a process for making HMF or a derivative of HMF by dehydrating one or more hexose sugars in a reduced oxygen environment. In another, related aspect, a method for improving the stability and resistance to degradation of an HMF product involves adding one or more antioxidants to the HMF product.

Process for making HMF from sugars with reduced byproduct formation, and improved stability HMF compositions

A process is described for the acid-catalyzed dehydration of a sugar alcohol, wherein the catalyst comprises a water-tolerant Lewis acid. In particular embodiments, the catalyst comprises a homogeneous water-tolerant Lewis acid, especially a homogeneous Lewis acid selected from the group consisting of bismuth (III) triflate, gallium (III) triflate, scandium (III) triflate, aluminum triflate, tin (II) triflate and indium (III) triflate. Such catalysts are effective for dehydrating both of sorbitol and the 1,4-sorbitan dehydration precursor of isosorbide, and bismuth (III) triflate particularly is beneficial for dehydrating mannitol to isomannide.

Process for acid dehydration of sugar alcohols

Disclosed is a process for making HMF' or a derivative of HMF by dehydrating one or more hexose sugars in a reduced oxygen environment, in another, related aspect, a method for improving the stability and resistance to degradation of an HMF product Involves adding one or more antioxidants to the HMF product.

A process is described for making isohexides, comprising dehydrating one or more hexitols with an acid catalyst to form a crude dehydration product mixture including one or more isohexides, further processing the mixture to separate out one or more fractions of a greater purity or higher concentration of at least one of the isohexides, and hydrogenating at least one of a) the crude dehydration product mixture, b) a neutralized crude dehydration product mixture, following a neutralization of the crude dehydration product mixture, c) the product mixture following a neutralization step and further following a step to remove ionic species therefrom, d) a greater purity or higher concentration fraction, and e) a lesser purity or concentration fraction, by reaction with a hydrogen source in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. Hydrogenation improves the color and/or color stability of the material, especially of a finished isohexide product.

Hydrogenation of isohexide products for improved color

A process is provided for making isohexides such as isosorbide with reduced color and/or improved color stability on storage, wherein ionic species in the crude dehydration product mixture are chromatographically substantially separated from the remainder of the crude product mixture, then the remainder is refined to yield a finished product for further use or sale.

Method of making internal dehydration products of sugar alcohols

Reduced color and improved color stability isohexide products are enabled through adding one or more antioxidants to a crude dehydration product mixture from an acid-catalyzed dehydration of a corresponding hexitol.

Additives for improved isohexide products

A process is described for producing an isohexide wherein an hexitol or a combination of hexitols is continuously dehydrated in the presence of an acid catalyst under vacuum using a thin film evaporator.

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Decatur, IL, United States of America

Erin Rockafellow