Abstract:
Processes are disclosed for synthesizing an α-amino acid or α-amino acid derivative, from a starting compound having a carbonyl functional group (C=O), with hydroxy-substituted carbon atoms at alpha (α) and beta (β) positions, relative to the carbonyl functional group. An α-, β-dihydroxy carboxylic acid or carboxylate is dehydrated to form a dicarbonyl intermediate by transformation of the α-hydroxy group to a second carbonyl group (adjacent a carbonyl group of the starting compound) and removal of the β-hydroxy group. This dicarbonyl intermediate is optionally cracked to form a second dicarbonyl intermediate having fewer carbon atoms but preserving the first and second carbonyl groups. Either or both of the dicarbonyl intermediate and the cracked dicarbonyl intermediate are then reductively aminated.
Abstract:
A hydrogenolysis process is disclosed for directly converting a sugar feed comprised of a high fructose feedstock, a high sucrose feedstock, or a combination of these to a mixed lower polyols product including both propylene glycol and ethylene glycol. The process provides greater propylene glycol selectivity than ethylene glycol selectivity such that the propylene glycol is present to a greater extent than the ethylene glycol in the mixed lower polyols product. The sugar feed and a source of hydrogen are supplied to a reaction vessel and reacted in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst comprising molybdenum (Mo) and ruthenium (Ru).
Abstract:
This disclosure provides engineered strains of Corynebacteria for the cost-effective production of lysine, tools and methods used to produce the engineered strains, and methods of using the engineered strains to produce lysine.
Abstract:
Tin (II) glucarate is found to be effective alone and in combination with other tin compounds for catalyzing the reaction of carboxylic acids such as furan-2,5- dicarboxylic acid, terephthalic acid and adipic acid with alcohols such as the C1-C3 alcohols.
Abstract:
An improved process for making bioderived propylene glycol by reacting a feed composition including glycerol with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the improvement involves causing the reaction to take place in the presence of one or more additives selected 10 from the group consisting of the soluble acetate, citrate, lactate, gluconate, propionate and glycerate salts.
Abstract:
A procedure for preparing anhydropentitol mono, di, and tri esters is described. The process is performed in a single vessel and involves sequential dehydrative cyclization and carboxylic acid acylation steps. Each step is catalyzed by low loadings of a water-tolerant Lewis acid catalyst. The method of synthesis is efficacious and depending on the reaction condition, generates modest to high yields of the target mono-, di-, and triesters. The esters can be practical surrogates of incumbent petroleum materials of similar structure used for surfactants and plasticizers.
Abstract:
A process is provided for making isoidide, wherein a dextrose feed is first converted by a combination of epimerization and hydrogenation to an iditol-enriched mixture of hexitols in the presence of hydrogen and in the further presence of a single, dual purpose catalyst, and the iditol is then conventionally fully dehydrated to provide isoidide. In one general embodiment, the dehydration is performed on the iditol-enriched mixture of hexitols to provide an isohexides product mixture including isoidide, and the isoidide is recovered therefrom. In another general embodiment, iditol is separated from the iditol-enriched mixture of hexitols, and at least a portion of this iditol is then dehydrated to provide an isoidide product.
Abstract:
A process for preparing anhydropentitol mono- and diethers from C 5 sugar alcohols is described. The process involves performing in a single reaction vessel consolidated reactions that a) cyclize dehydratively a linear C 5 sugar alcohol and b) etherify a resulting anhydropentitol. Each of the reactions is catalyzed by a very low amount of a water-tolerant Lewis acid catalyst relative to the starting sugar-alcohol. Depending on the reaction conditions, the synthesis method is efficient, selective and affords good yields of mono- and diethers. The anhydropentiol ethers can serve as renewable substitute precursors of petroleum incumbents for use in the making of surfactants and plasticizers.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed towards compositions comprising a lecithin; a sugar alcohol, a sugar, or combinations of any thereof; and an alcohol. Compositions comprising a water soluble surfactant are further disclosed. Methods of separating oil from a mixture are disclosed. Methods of dispersing an oil are further disclosed. Compositions comprising a water-dilutable microemulsion are disclosed. Methods of making chewing gum are disclosed. Methods of recovering oil from a mixture are further disclosed.
Abstract:
Isohexide mono and bis trifluoroacetates and a method of preparing the same are described. The method involves contacting a mixture of an isohexide, a trifluoroacetic anhydride, and a reagent of either 1) a nucleophile base or 2) a combination of a non-nucleophilic base and a nucleophile. The isohexide mono and bis trifluoroacetate compounds can serve as precursor materials from which various derivative compounds can be synthesized.