Danmarks Tekniske Universitet

Shunmugavel Saravanamurugan

Anders Riisager

Santosh Govind Khokarale

The present invention relates to isomerization of C4-C6 aldoses to their corresponding C4-C6 ketoses. In particular, the invention concerns isomerization of C4-C6 aldoses over solid zeolite catalysts free of any metals other than aluminum, in the presence of suitable solvent(s) at suitable elevated temperatures. C6 and C5 aldose sugars such as glucose and xylose, which are available in large amounts from biomass precursors, are isomerized to fructose and xylulose respectively, in a one or two-step process over inexpensive commercially available zeolite catalysts, containing aluminum as the only metal in the catalyst. The ketoses obtained are used as sweeteners in the food and/or brewery industry, or treated to obtain downstream platform chemicals such as lactic acid, HMF, levulinic acid, furfural, MMHB, and the like.

Isomerisation of C4-C6 aldoses with zeolites

The present invention relates to a method for hydrogenolysis of alpha-hydroxy esters or acids, comprising reacting the alpha-hydroxy ester or acid in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst. The present invention also relates to a method for producing propionic acid ester, and the use of any of the methods for the production of propionic acid esters, such as alkyl propionate.

Process for hydrogenolysis of alpha-hydroxy esters or acids using a heterogeneous catalyst

The present invention relates to the field of converting carbohydrates into levulinic acid, a platform chemical for many chemical end products. More specifically the invention relates to a method for converting carbohydrates such as mono-, di- or polysaccharides, obtained from for example biomass production into a suitable levulinic acid ester in the presence of a zeolite or zeotype catalyst and a suitable alcohol, and the ester may be further converted into levulinic acid if desired.

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Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Shunmugavel Saravanamurugan