Battelle Memorial Institute

Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation

Johnathan E Holladay

Todd A Werpy

Alan H Zacher

James F White

Yong Wang

Jianli Hu

John G Frye

Michael A Lilga

Danielle S Muzatko

Xinjie Zhang

Richard T Hallen

Haibo Zhao

Zongchao C Zhang

Wei-Jun Peng

Rick J Orth

John G Frey, Jr

Hydrogenolysis systems are provided that can include a reactor housing an Ru-comprising hydrogenolysis catalyst and wherein the contents of the reactor is maintained at a neutral or acidic pH. Reactant reservoirs within the system can include a polyhydric alcohol compound and a base, wherein a weight ratio of the base to the compound is less than 0.05. Systems also include the product reservoir comprising a hydrogenolyzed polyhydric alcohol compound and salts of organic acids, and wherein the moles of base are substantially equivalent to the moles of salts or organic acids. Processes are provided that can include an Ru-comprising catalyst within a mixture having a neutral or acidic pH. A weight ratio of the base to the compound can be between 0.01 and 0.05 during exposing.

Chemical production processes and systems

The invention includes methods of processing an initial di-carbonyl compound by conversion to a cyclic compound. The cyclic compound is reacted with an alkylating agent to form a derivative having an alkylated ring nitrogen. The invention encompasses a method of producing an N-alkyl product. Ammonia content of a solution is adjusted to produce a ratio of ammonia to di-carboxylate compound of from about 1:1 to about 1.5:1. An alkylating agent is added and the initial compound is alkylated and cyclized. The invention includes methods of making N-methyl pyrrolidinone (NMP). Aqueous ammonia and succinate is introduced into a vessel and ammonia is adjusted to provide a ratio of ammonia to succinate of less than 2:1. A methylating agent is reacted with succinate at a temperature of from greater than 100&#xb0; C. to about 400&#xb0; C. to produce N-methyl succinimide which is purified and hydrogenated to form NMP.

Process for producing cyclic compounds

A method of reducing hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) where a starting material containing HMF in a solvent comprising water is provided. His provided into the reactor and the starting material is contacted with a catalyst containing at least one metal selected from Ni, Co, Cu, Pd, Pt, Ru, Ir, Re and Rh, at a temperature of less than or equal to 250&#xb0; C. A method of hydrogenating HMF includes providing an aqueous solution containing HMF and fructose. Hand a hydrogenation catalyst are provided. The HMF is selectively hydrogenated relative to the fructose at a temperature at or above 30&#xb0; C. A method of producing tetrahydrofuran dimethanol (THFDM) includes providing a continuous flow reactor having first and second catalysts and providing a feed comprising HMF into the reactor. The feed is contacted with the first catalyst to produce furan dimethanol (FDM) which is contacted with the second catalyst to produce THFDM.

Hydroxymethylfurfural reduction methods and methods of producing furandimethanol

The invention includes methods of processing an initial di-carbonyl compound by conversion to a cyclic compound. The cyclic compound is reacted with an alkylating agent to form a derivative having an alkylated ring nitrogen. The invention encompasses a method of producing an N-alkyl product. Ammonia content of a solution is adjusted to produce a ratio of ammonia to di-carboxylate compound of from about 1:1 to about 1.5:1. An alkylating agent is added and the initial compound is alkylated and cyclized. The invention includes methods of making N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP). Aqueous ammonia and succinate is introduced into a vessel and ammonia is adjusted to provide a ratio of ammonia to succinate of less than 2:1. A methylating agent is reacted with succinate at a temperature of from greater than 100&#xb0; C. to about 400&#xb0; C. to produce N-methyl succinimide which is purified and hydrogenated to form NMP.

Methods are described for converting carbohydrates including, e.g., monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides in ionic liquids to value-added chemicals including furans, useful as chemical intermediates and/or feedstocks. Fructose is converted to 5-hydroxylmethylfurfural (HMF) in the presence of metal halide and acid catalysts. Glucose is effectively converted to HMF in the presence of chromium chloride catalysts. Yields of up to about 70% are achieved with low levels of impurities such as levulinic acid.

Methods for conversion of carbohydrates in ionic liquids to value-added chemicals

The invention includes a method of dehydration of a sugar using a dehydration catalyst and a co-catalyst within a reactor. A sugar is introduced and His flowed through the reactor at a pressure of less than or equal to about 300 psig to convert at least some of the sugar into an anhydrosugar product. The invention includes a process for producing isosorbide. A starting material comprising sorbitol is flowed into a reactor. His counter flowed through the reactor. The starting material is exposed to a catalyst in the presence of a co-catalyst which comprises at least one metal. The exposing is conducted at a hydrogen pressure of less than or equal to 300 psig within the reactor and the hydrogen removes at least some of any water present during the exposing and inhibits formation of colored byproducts.

Methods for dehydration of sugars and sugar alcohols

The invention includes a method of treating a solid acid catalyst. After exposing the catalyst to a mixture containing a sugar alcohol, the catalyst is washed with an organic solvent and is then exposed to a second reaction mixture. The invention includes a process for production of anhydrosugar alcohol. A solid acid catalyst is provided to convert sugar alcohol in a first sample to an anhydrosugar alcohol. The catalyst is then washed with an organic solvent and is subsequently utilized to expose a second sample. The invention includes a method for selective production of an anhydrosugar. A solid acid catalyst is provided within a reactor and anhydrosugar alcohol is formed by flowing a starting sugar alcohol into the reactor. The acid catalyst is then exposed to an organic solvent which allows a greater amount of additional anhydrosugar to be produced than would occur without exposing the acid catalyst to the organic solvent.

Method of performing sugar dehydration and catalyst treatment

A process is disclosed for conversion of salts of &#x3b2;-hydroxy carbonyl compounds forming useful conversion products including, e.g., &#x3b1;,&#x3b2;-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and/or salts of &#x3b1;,&#x3b2;-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Conversion products find use, e.g., as feedstock and/or end-use chemicals.

Method for conversion of &#x3b2;-hydroxy carbonyl compounds

The invention includes methods of producing dianhydrosugars. A polyol is reacted in the presence of a first catalyst to form a monocyclic sugar. The monocyclic sugar is transferred to a second reactor where it is converted to a dianhydrosugar alcohol in the presence of a second catalyst. The invention includes a process of forming isosorbide. An initial reaction is conducted at a first temperature in the presence of a solid acid catalyst. The initial reaction involves reacting sorbitol to produce 1,4-sorbitan, 3,6-sorbitan, 2,5-mannitan and 2,5-iditan. Utilizing a second temperature, the 1,4-sorbitan and 3,6-sorbitan are converted to isosorbide. The invention includes a method of purifying isosorbide from a mixture containing isosorbide and at least one additional component. A first distillation removes a first portion of the isosorbide from the mixture. A second distillation is then conducted at a higher temperature to remove a second portion of isosorbide from the mixture.

Method of forming a dianhydrosugar alcohol

The invention includes methods for producing dianhydrosugar alcohol by providing an acid catalyst within a reactor and passing a starting material through the reactor at a first temperature. At least a portion of the staring material is converted to a monoanhydrosugar isomer during the passing through the column. The monoanhydrosugar is subjected to a second temperature which is greater than the first to produce a dianhydrosugar. The invention includes a method of producing isosorbide. An initial feed stream containing sorbitol is fed into a continuous reactor containing an acid catalyst at a temperature of less than 120&#xb0; C. The residence time for the reactor is less than or equal to about 30 minutes. Sorbitol converted to 1,4-sorbitan in the continuous reactor is subsequently provided to a second reactor and is dehydrated at a temperature of at least 120&#xb0; C. to produce isosorbide.

Two-stage dehydration of sugars

A novel bis-chelating composition characterized by formula I: wherein M is a Group VB element; R1 and R2 are each independently selected from hydrogen and monovalent hydrocarbyl radicals; or R1 and R2 are bonded together to form a diradical; or one of R1 or R2 is hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbyl radical, while the other of R1 or R2 is a hydrocarbyl radical bonded to an atom in Ar; wherein Ar is selected from 1,2-arylenes; Q is selected from 1,2-arylenes, 2,2'-bisarylenes and alkyl diradicals; and W is selected from II, III, IV, or V: wherein M is as defined hereinbefore; each R is independently selected from hydrogen and monovalent hydrocarbyl radicals; X is selected from alkyl and aryl diradicals; Arand Arare each independently selected from 1,2-arylenes;Arand Arare each independently selected from monovalent aryl radicals; and n in formula IV is 0 or 1. The composition finds utility as a ligand in catalysts for carbonylation processes 

Bis-chelating ligand and use thereof in carbonylation processes

The invention includes a method of forming an alpha, beta-unsaturated compound. A carboxylic acid is mixed with an alpha-hydroxy acid or an alpha-hydroxy ester and is esterified to form an alpha-acyloxy derivative. The alpha-acyloxy derivative is transformed into an alpha, beta-unsaturated derivative. The invention additionally includes a process of forming an acrylate. Lactic acid or a lactic acid ester is reacted with a first portion of acetic acid in the presence of a first catalyst to produce the corresponding 2-acetoxy propionic acid or ester. A non-reacted portion of the acetic acid is recycled. The 2-acetoxy propionic acid or ester is transferred to a second vessel containing a second catalyst, and acetic acid is liberated from the 2-acetoxy propionic acid or ester to produce a corresponding acrylic acid or acrylate ester. The acid or ester is subsequently esterified by reaction with an alcohol to form a desired acrylate ester.

Growing community of inventors

Kennewick, WA, United States of America

Johnathan E Holladay