Abstract:
A process for the preparation of diastereomeric mono- and 2,5- bis(halomethyl)tetrahydrofurans from renewable THF-diols is described. Also disclosed are certain derivative compounds that can be prepared from the mono or di-alkyl halide furanic compounds.
Abstract:
A method for preparing sugar-based oligomers is described. The process involves sequential (one-pot) esterification of 2,5-furan-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) with an alcohol and transesterification with a glycol, as catalyzed by relatively low loadings of homogeneous organometallic Lewis acids, which can be retained in the product mixture from the esterification through transesterification.
Abstract:
Methods for preparing 1) a sugar-derived ester, 2) a glycol generated from reduction of the ester, and 3) polymers fabricated from polycondensation of the ester or glycol with various diamines and dicarboxylic acids are described. In particular, the ester is levulinic 5-methyl-2-furfural (LMF), the acylation product of hydroxymethyl-furfural (HMF) and either a levulinyl halide or levulinic acid. Each of the embodiments for the synthesis is highly selective for the product and can be executed under relatively mild reaction conditions.
Abstract:
A method of etherifying glycols or other diols by employing renewable reagents is disclosed. In particular, the method involves contacting a diol with an alkylating agent in an alcoholic solvent, catalyzed with a catalyst (carbonic acid) generated in situ (from CO 2 ). The mono- and di-ether products can serve as valued precursors to an array of renewable surfactants, dispersants, and lubricants, among others.
Abstract:
A process for preparing materials derived from sugar alcohols such that the dehydration products exhibit better accountability and improved color to water-clear or near water-white appearance is described. In particular, the process involves employing a reducing Brnsted acid (e.g., phosphonic acid) for the catalysis of sugar alcohols to their corresponding dehydrated-cyclized products.
Abstract:
5-(hydroxymethyl) furan-2-carbaldehyde (HMF)-sulfonates and a method of preparing the same are described. The method involves reacting a mixture of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF), with at least one of a) a trifluoromethanesulfonate anhydride (triflate), b) a p -toluene-sulfonyl halide (tosylate), and c) methane-sulfonyl halide (mesylate), and a reagent of either 1) a nucleophilic base or 2) a combination of a non-nucleophilic base and a nucleophile. The HMF-sulfonates (e.g., triflate, tosylate, mesylate, etc. analogs of HMF) can serve as precursor materials from which various derivative compounds can be synthesized.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
Isohexide monotriflate compounds and a method of preparing the same are described. The method involves reacting a mixture of an isohexide, a trifluoromethanesulfonate anhydride, and either 1) a nucleophilic base or 2) a combination of a non-nucleophilic base and a nucleophile. The isohexide monotriflate compounds can serve as precursor materials from which various derivative compounds can be synthesized.
Abstract:
An improved, high yielding process is disclosed for making bisglycidyl ether derivatives of isosorbide, isomannide and/or isoidide, wherein up to quantitative yields overall are demonstrated. In another related aspect, a process is disclosed for making novel monoallyl, monoglycidyl ether derivatives or a combination of monoallyl, monoglycidyl ether derivatives and bisglycidyl ether derivatives via the same diallyl isohexide intermediate.
Abstract:
Processes for the oxidation of carbohydrate dehydration products, such as furanics that can be oxidized to the bio-based monomer 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), are disclosed, according to which certain co-feeds, having been discovered to impart a beneficial reaction stabilizing effect, are oxidized together with the carbohydrate dehydration products. This can advantageously counteract, in whole or in part, detrimental effects of humin impurities present in oxidation feed, with such impurities having been generated as byproducts of the upstream dehydrating step. An important co-feed is para-xylene that can be co-oxidized to form the petroleum-based monomer terephthalic acid (TPA), such that co-processing can beneficially yield two valuable monomers, while improving performance, particularly in terms of reaction stability, over comparable processes in which only the first monomer is produced. Related aspects involve opportunities for retrofitting existing monomer production facilities to enable co-processing of carbohydrate dehydration products that can lead to the above-noted advantages.