James A Dumesic

US Patent:

6441241, Aug 27, 2002

Filed:

Nov 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/997924

Inventors:

Randy D. Cortright - Madison WI
James A. Dumesic - Verona WI

Assignee:

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation - Madison WI

International Classification:

C07C 29141

US Classification:

568 84, 502158

Abstract:

A method for catalytically reducing the carboxylic acid group of hydroxycarboxylic acids to a hydroxyl group is disclosed. An organic compound having an -hydroxyl group and at least one carboxylic acid group is contacted with a catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to yield a reduced product having at least two hydroxyl groups, the carboxylic acid group having been converted into one of the hydroxyl groups. The catalytic process may be conducted at hydrogen pressures of less than about 50 atm and is particularly suited for converting -hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as lactic acid or glycolic acid, to 1,2-dihydroxy alkanes, such as 1,2-propanediol or ethylene glycol, using zero valent copper. The catalyst may be supported on silica, and the hydroxyl groups on the silica may be capped with hydrophobic groups including alkyl groups and silanes, such as trialkylsilanes.

US Patent:

6455742, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Aug 9, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/634825

Inventors:

Randy D. Cortright - Madison WI
James A. Dumesic - Verona WI

Assignee:

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation - Madison WI

International Classification:

C07C 29141

US Classification:

568864, 502158

Abstract:

A method for catalytically reducing the carboxylic acid group of hydroxycarboxylic acids to a hydroxyl group is disclosed. An organic compound having an -hydroxyl group and at least one carboxylic acid group is contacted with a catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to yield a reduced product having at least two hydroxyl groups, the carboxylic acid group having been converted into one of the hydroxyl groups. The catalytic process may be conducted at hydrogen pressures of less than about 50 atm and is particularly suited for converting (-hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as lactic acid or glycolic acid, to 1,2-dihydroxy alkanes, such as 1,2-propanediol or ethylene glycol, using zero valent copper. The catalyst may be supported on silica, and the hydroxyl groups on the silica may be capped with hydrophobic groups including alkyl groups and silanes, such as trialkylsilanes.

US Patent:

6699457, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Nov 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/998552

Inventors:

Randy D. Cortright - Madison WI
James A. Dumesic - Verona WI

Assignee:

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation - Madison WI

International Classification:

C01B 302

US Classification:

4236481

Abstract:

Disclosed is a method of producing hydrogen from oxygenated hydrocarbon reactants, such as glycerol, glucose, or sorbitol. The method can take place in the vapor phase or in the condensed liquid phase. The method includes the steps of reacting water and a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon having at least two carbon atoms, in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst. The catalyst contains a metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIII transitional metals, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof. The disclosed method can be run at lower temperatures than those used in the conventional steam reforming of alkanes.

US Patent:

6953873, Oct 11, 2005

Filed:

May 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/435208

Inventors:

Randy D. Cortright - Madison WI, US
James A. Dumesic - Verona WI, US

Assignee:

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation - Madison WI

International Classification:

C07C001/207

US Classification:

585733, 585357, 585469, 585638, 585639, 585640

Abstract:

Disclosed is a method of producing hydrocarbons from oxygenated hydrocarbon reactants, such as glycerol, glucose, or sorbitol. The method can take place in the vapor phase or in the condensed liquid phase (preferably in the condensed liquid phase). The method includes the steps of reacting water and a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon having at least two carbon atoms, in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst. The catalyst contains a metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIIIB transitional metals, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof. These metals are supported on supports that exhibit acidity or the reaction is conducted under liquid-phase conditions at acidic pHs. The disclosed method allows the production of hydrocarbon by the liquid-phase reaction of water with biomass-derived oxygenated compounds.

US Patent:

6964757, Nov 15, 2005

Filed:

Nov 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/306258

Inventors:

Randy D. Cortright - Madison WI, US
James A. Dumesic - Verona WI, US

Assignee:

Wisconsin Alumni Research - Madison WI

International Classification:

C01B003/02

US Classification:

4236481

Abstract:

Disclosed is a method of producing hydrogen from oxygenated hydrocarbon reactants, such as methanol, glycerol, sugars (e. g. glucose and xylose), or sugar alcohols (e. g. sorbitol). The method takes place in the condensed liquid phase. The method includes the steps of reacting water and a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst. The catalyst contains a metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIIIB transitional metals, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof. The disclosed method can be run at lower temperatures than those used in the conventional steam reforming of alkanes.

US Patent:

6964758, Nov 15, 2005

Filed:

Aug 1, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/632245

Inventors:

Randy D. Cortright - Madison WI, US
James A. Dumesic - Verona WI, US

Assignee:

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation - Madison WI

International Classification:

C01B003/02

US Classification:

4236481

Abstract:

Disclosed is a method of producing hydrogen from oxygenated hydrocarbon reactants, such as glycerol, glucose, or sorbitol. The method can take place in the vapor phase or in the condensed liquid phase. The method includes the steps of reacting water and a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon having at least two carbon atoms, in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst. The catalyst contains a metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIII transitional metals, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof. The disclosed method can be run at lower temperatures than those used in the conventional steam reforming of alkanes.

US Patent:

7572925, Aug 11, 2009

Filed:

Jun 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/757461

Inventors:

James A. Dumesic - Madison WI, US
Yuriy Rom{acute over (α)}n-Leshkov - Madison WI, US
Juben N. Chheda - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation - Madison WI

International Classification:

C07D 307/46
C07D 307/50

US Classification:

549488, 549489

Abstract:

Described is a catalytic process for converting sugars to furan derivatives (e. g. 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, dimethylfuran, etc. ) using a biphasic reactor containing a reactive aqueous phase and an organic extracting phase. The process provides a cost-effective route for producing di-substituted furan derivatives. The furan derivatives are useful as value-added intermediates to produce polymers, as precursors to diesel fuel, and as fuel additives.

US Patent:

7618612, Nov 17, 2009

Filed:

May 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/124717

Inventors:

Randy D. Cortright - Madison WI, US
James A. Dumesic - Verona WI, US

Assignee:

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation - Madison WI

International Classification:

C01B 3/26
C01B 3/02
C01B 3/24

US Classification:

423651, 4236481, 423650, 423652, 423653, 423654

Abstract:

Disclosed is a method of producing hydrogen from oxygenated hydrocarbon reactants, such as methanol, glycerol, sugars (e. g. glucose and xylose), or sugar alcohols (e. g. sorbitol). The method takes place in the condensed liquid phase. The method includes the steps of reacting water and a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst. The catalyst contains a metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIIIB transitional metals, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof. The disclosed method can be run at lower temperatures than those used in the conventional steam reforming of alkanes.