REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001 ] This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional application Serial No. 61/268,414, filed June 13, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002 ] The present invention generally relates to processes for the chemocatalytic conversion of a carbohydrate source to an adipic acid product. The present invention includes processes for the conversion of a carbohydrate source to an adipic acid product via a furanic substrate, such as 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid or derivatives thereof. The present invention also includes processes for producing an adipic acid product comprising the catalytic hydrogenation of a furanic substrate to produce a tetrahydrofuranic substrate and the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of at least a portion of the tetrahydrofuranic substrate to an adipic acid product. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of industrial chemicals such as adiponitrile, hexamethylene diamine, caprolactam, caprolactone, adipate esters, 1,6-hexanediol, polyamides (e.g., nylons) and polyesters from an adipic acid product obtained from processes including the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of a tetrahydrofuranic substrate. The invention is further directed to such industrial chemicals produced from adipic acid product produced by the processes of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] For at least the last forty years, experts in the scientific and economic communities have been predicting diminishing availability of petrochemical resources to produce the energy and chemical-based materials needed throughout the world. Fortunately, for much of this period, newly discovered petroleum reserves, and advances in petroleum production and conversion technologies have enabled the supply of these resources and the products producible therefrom to substantially keep pace with the ever-increasing demands. More recently, however, the rapid rate of industrialization of the world's most populous countries, China and India, coupled with increased political instability in petroleum-producing regions (most notably the Middle East, Nigeria, and Venezuela), have pushed oil prices to record levels, adversely affecting the US economy, among others. Moreover, environmental, ecological, and political considerations in the US continue to impact the production of this valuable resource by, among other matters, removing proven reserves from commercial exploitation.

[0004 ] The combined effects of ever- increasing demand and slowing rates of increase in the production of petroleum affect not only gasoline, diesel fuel and heating oil prices but also the prices of the vast array of chemicals that are feedstock's for an equally vast array of products, from drugs to plastics to pesticides, to name a few.

[0005] Over the past decade, this adverse economic impact has become a driving factor for developing alternative and sustainable ways to meet chemical-based materials needs. The Roadmap for Biomass Technologies in the United States (U.S. Department of Energy, Accession No. ADA436527, December 2002), authored by 26 leading experts, predicts that, by 2030, 25% of all chemicals consumed in the United States will be produced from biomass. More recently, the U.S. Department of Energy has identified 12 top-tier chemical building blocks from biomass processing, as reported in the Biomass Report for the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy entitled Top Value Added Chemicals from Biomass, Volume 1— Results of Screening for Potential Candidates from Sugars and Synthesis Gas, August 2004.

[0006] It has been reported that of the approximately 200 billion tons of biomass produced per year, 95% of it is in the form of carbohydrates, and only 3 to 4% of the total carbohydrates are currently being used for food and other purposes. Thus, there is an abundant untapped supply of biomass carbohydrates, which can potentially be used for the production of non-petroleum based specialty and industrial chemicals that are fully renewable. That said, biorenewable routes to sustainable supplies of valuable chemicals such as, for example, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and esters useful for producing a vast array of products are less likely to become a reality until the cost of converting biomass to these chemicals is more nearly comparable to or, more preferably, advantaged as compared to the corresponding production cost from petroleum-based feedstocks.

[0007 ] Adipic acid is among the end products producible from biorenewable feedstocks. Such processes have been disclosed in, for example, US Patent Nos. 4,400,468 and 5,487,987 and, for example, in "Benzene-Free Synthesis of Adipic Acid", Frost et al. Biotechnol. Prog. 2002, Vol. 18, pp. 201-211. However, to date, no process for producing adipic acid from biorenewable feedstocks has been commercialized.

[0008] Among the list of 12 building block chemicals targeted by the US government for production from biomass is 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, and the government has solicited proposals for the use thereof in the production of industrial chemicals. To date, large scale production of high value industrial chemicals from 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid has not been achieved.

[0009] To that end, applicants have discovered processes which enable the production of high value, large market industrial chemicals cost effectively from a key building block material such as 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Briefly, therefore, the present invention is directed to processes for preparing an adipic acid product from a carbohydrate source comprising the steps of converting the carbohydrate source to a furanic substrate and converting at least a portion of the furanic substrate to the adipic acid product. In accordance with various embodiments, processes for producing an adipic acid product from a furanic substrate are disclosed which comprise converting by chemocatalytic means at least a portion of the furanic substrate to the adipic acid product. Further, in accordance with the present invention, processes for producing an adipic acid product further comprise converting at least a portion of the furanic substrate to a tetrahydro furanic substrate and converting at least a portion of the tetrahydro furanic substrate to the adipic acid product.

[0011 ] In accordance with various embodiments, the process for preparing an adipic acid product comprises converting by chemocatalytic means to the adipic acid product a substrate of formula I

or a salt thereof, or an intermolecular homomer or heteromer thereof, or intermolecular or intramolecular anhydrides or stereoisomers thereof, all collectively referred to as "furanic substrate," wherein each X is independently selected from the group consisting of -OH, -OR ² , and -H, or, in some embodiments, X is independently selected from the group consisting of - OH and -H, or, in some embodiments, each X is -OH, or, in some embodiments, each X is -H; Y is selected from the group consisting of -C(O)OH, -C(O)OR ¹ , -C(O)NR ³ R ⁴ , and -CH ₂ N R ³ R ⁴ ; Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(O)OH, -C(O)OR ¹ , -C(O)NR ³ R ⁴ , and - CH ₂ N R ³ R ⁴ ; each R ¹ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl; each R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl; each R ³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl; each R ⁴ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl; and, preferably, each hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl in any of the aforementioned R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , and/or R ⁴ can be independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, alkylamino, thioalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, N-heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl heteroaryl, N-heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl, in each case optionally substituted.

[0012 ] In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to processes for preparing an adipic acid product comprising reacting a tetrahydrofuranic substrate with hydrogen, in the presence of a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst, a solvent and a source of halogen, to convert at least a portion of the tetrahydrofuranic substrate to the adipic acid product, wherein the tetrahydrofuranic substrate is a compound of formula III (and salts thereof),

wherein each X is independently selected from the group consisting of -OH, -OR ² , and -H, or, in some embodiments, X is independently selected from the group consisting of -OH and -H, or, in some embodiments, each X is -OH, or, in some embodiments, each X is -H; Y is selected from the group consisting of -C(O)OH, -C(O)OR ¹ , -C(O)NR ³ R ⁴ , and -CH ₂ N R ³ R ⁴ ; Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(O)OH, -C(O)OR ¹ , -C(O)NR ³ R ⁴ , and -CH ₂ N R ³ R ⁴ ; each R ¹ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl; each R ² is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl; each R ³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl; each R ⁴ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl; and, preferably, each hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl in any of the aforementioned R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , and/or R ⁴ can be independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, alkylamino, thioalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, N-heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl heteroaryl, N-heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl, in each case optionally substituted.

[0013] The present invention is further directed to processes for preparing adipic acid or derivative thereof by reacting a tetrahydrofuranic substrate comprising tetrahydrofuran-2,5- dicarboxylic acid (THFDCA) with hydrogen in the presence of hydrogen iodide or hydrogen bromide and a solvent, wherein at least a portion of the tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dicarboxylic acid is converted to adipic acid or derivative thereof.

[0014 ] The present invention is further directed to processes for preparing adipic acid or derivative thereof comprising reacting a furanic substrate with hydrogen, in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst and a solvent, but in the absence of an added source of halogen, to convert at least a portion thereof to a tetrahydrofuranic substrate, and reacting at least a portion of the tetrahydrofuranic substrate with hydrogen, in the presence of a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst, a solvent and an added source of halogen, to convert at least a portion of the tetrahydrofuranic substrate to adipic acid or derivative thereof.

[0015] In various embodiments of the present invention, processes for preparing adipic acid product comprise reacting a furanic substrate with hydrogen, in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst and acetic acid, but in the absence of an added source of halogen, to convert at least a portion thereof to a tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dicarboxylic acid and reacting at least a portion of the tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dicarboxylic acid with hydrogen, in the presence of a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst, solvent and hydrogen iodide or hydrogen bromide, to convert at least a portion of the tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dicarboxylic acid to an adipic acid product comprising adipic acid.

[0016] The present invention is further directed to processes for the preparation of industrial chemicals such as adiponitrile, hexamethylene diamine, caprolactam, caprolactone, adipate esters, 1,6-hexanediol, polyamides (e.g., nylons) and polyesters from an adipic acid product obtained from processes for the chemocatalytic conversion of a carbohydrate source, which processes typically include the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of a tetrahydrofuranic substrate.

[0017 ] The present invention is further directed to processes for the preparation of industrial chemicals such as adiponitrile, hexamethylene diamine, caprolactam, caprolactone, 1,6-hexanediol and polyamides (e.g., nylons) from an adipic acid product obtained from processes for the chemocatalytic conversion of a carbohydrate source, which processes include the catalytic hydrogenation of a furanic substrate and the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of a tetrahydrofuranic substrate.

[0018] The present invention is further directed to adipic acid product, polyamides, polyesters and caprolactam produced at least in part from adipic acid product produced by processes comprising the chemocatalytic conversion of a tetrahydrofuranic substrate, and, more particularly, a tetrahydrofuranic substrate comprising tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dicarboxylic acid or derivative thereof into an adipic acid product. [0019] The present invention is further directed to adipic acid product, polyamides, polyesters and caprolactam produced at least in part from adipic acid product produced by processes comprising the catalytic hydrogenation of a furanic substrate and the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of a tetrahydrofuranic substrate.

[0020] Other obj ects and features will become apparent and/or will be pointed out hereinafter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I. Source Materials

[0021 ] Biorenewable sources such as corn grain (maize), sugar beet, sugar cane as well as energy crops, plant biomass, agricultural wastes, forestry residues, sugar processing residues, plant-derived household wastes, municipal waste, spent paper, switch grass, miscanthus, cassava, trees (hardwood and softwood), vegetation, crop residues (e.g., bagasse and corn stover) are all rich in hexoses, which can be used to produce furan derivatives, such as 5 -hydroxy methylfurfural (HMF). Hexoses are readily produced from such carbohydrate sources by hydrolysis. It is also generally known that biomass carbohydrates can be enzymatically converted to glucose, fructose and other sugars. Dehydration of fructose can readily produce furan derivatives such as HMF. Acid hydrolysis of glucose is also known to produce HMF; see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,518,440. Various other methods have been developed for producing HMF including, for example, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,533,743 (to Medeiros et al), 4,912,237 (to Zeitsch), 4,971,657 (to Avignon et al), 6,743,928 (to Zeitsch), 2,750,394 (to Peniston), 2,917,520 (to Cope); 2,929,823 (to Garber), 3,118,912 (to Smith), 4,339,387 (to Fleche et al.), 4,590,283 (to Gaset et al.), and 4,740,605 (to Rapp). In the foreign patent literature, see GB 591,858, GB 600,871; and GB 876,463, all of which were published in English. See also, FR 2,663,933, FR 2,664,273, FR 2,669,635, and CA 2,097,812, all of which were published in French. Thus, a variety of carbohydrate sources can be used to produce HMF by a variety of known techniques.

[ 0022 ] HMF can be converted to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) by selective oxidation. Examples of processes for the production of FDCA from HMF are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,326,944 and 4,977,283, U.S. Pat, App. 2008/0103318, and Japanese Laid-open Application No. H02-088569. See also, Corma et al., ChemSusChem., 2009, p 1138. Derivatives of FDCA can also be produced from HMF by processes such as those illustrated in Moreau, Topics in Catalysis 2004, Vol. 27, pp.11; Lewkowski, Arkivoc, 2001 (i), p. 17; Lichtenthaler, C. R., Chimie, Vol.7, p.65; Moore, Organic Preparations and Procedures International, Vol. 4, 1972, p. 289; and also in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,225,066, 7,579,490 and 7,432,382.

[ 0023 ] Thus, it is known in the art to produce from carbohydrates a variety of furans and derivatives thereof which applicants have discovered are useful to produce adipic acid product by the processes of the present invention.

II. Furanic Substrate and Hydrogenation Thereof

[0024 ] Applicants have discovered that an adipic acid product of formula II, below, can be produced from a carbohydrate source by processes which comprise converting by chemocatalytic means a substrate of formula I, below, or a salt thereof, or an intermolecular homomer or heteromer thereof, or intermolecular and intramolecular anhydrides or stereoisomers thereof, hereinafter all collectively referred to as "furanic substrate", derivable by means known in the art, in accordance with the following overall reaction

wherein each X is independently selected from the group consisting of -OH, -OR ² , and -H or, in some embodiments, X is independently selected from the group consisting of -OH and -H, or in some embodiments, each X is -OH, or, in some embodiments, each X is -H; Y is selected from the group consisting of -C(O)OH, -C(O)OR ¹ , -C(O)NR ³ R ⁴ , and -CH ₂ N R ³ R ⁴ ; Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(O)OH, -C(O)OR ¹ , -C(O)NR ³ R ⁴ , and -CH ₂ N R ³ R ⁴ ; each R ¹ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl; each R ² is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl; each R ³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl; each R ⁴ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl; and, preferably, each hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl in any of the aforementioned R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , and/or R ⁴ can be independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, alkylamino, thioalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, N-heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl heteroaryl, N-heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl, in each case optionally substituted. If substituted, the aforementioned R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , and/or R ⁴ can be preferably substituted with one or more Of Ci-C ₄ alkyl, hydroxyl, amine, Ci-C ₄ alkylamino, thiol, and Ci-C ₄ thioalkyl.

[ 0025 ] In accordance with the present invention, the furanic substrate is initially reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to convert at least a portion of the furanic substrate to a tetrahydrofuranic substrate, and at least a portion of the tetrahydrofuranic substrate is converted to adipic acid product.

[0026] The hydrogenation reaction is typically conducted under conditions known in the art. See for example, "Catalytic Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation" in Fine Chemicals Through Heterogeneous Catalysis, 2nd ed., Sheldon and van Bekkum, p. 351; See also Handbook of Heterogeneous Catalytic Hydrogenation for Organic Synthesis, Nishimura 2001 Wiley, New York . For example, the hydrogenation reaction is conducted in the presence of a solvent to the furanic substrate. Solvents suitable for the hydrogenation reaction include water, alcohols, esters, ethers, ketones, weak carboxylic acids and mixtures thereof. The term "weak carboxylic acid" as used herein means any unsubstituted or substituted carboxylic acid having a pKa of at least about 3.5, more preferably at least about 4.5 and, more particularly, is selected from among unsubstituted acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid or butyric acid, or mixtures thereof. Among the useful solvents, acetic acid is more preferred because it also is useful as a solvent in the subsequent hydrodeoxygenation of the tetrahydrofuranic substrate.

[ 0027 ] Generally, the temperature of the hydrogenation reaction is at least about 30 ⁰ C, more typically 60 ⁰ C, or higher. In various embodiments, the temperature of the hydrogenation reaction is from about 60°C to about 200°C, and more preferably from about 60°C to about 160 ⁰ C.

[0028] Typically, the partial pressure of hydrogen is at least about 50 pounds per square inch absolute (psia) (345 kPa), at least about 100 psia (689 kPa), at least about 250 psia (1724 kPa), or at least about 500 psia (3447 kPa). In various embodiments, the partial pressure of hydrogen is up to about 2000 psia (13790 kPa), or more typically in the range of from about 500 psia (3447 kPa) to about 2000 psia (13790 kPa) and still more typically in the range of about 1000 psia (6890 kPa) to about 2000 psia (13790 kPa).

[0029] In general, the hydrogenation reaction can be conducted in a batch, semi- batch, or continuous reactor design using fixed bed reactors, trickle bed reactors, slurry phase reactors, moving bed reactors, or any other design that allows for heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Examples of reactors can be seen in Chemical Process Equipment - Selection and Design, Couper et al, Elsevier 1990, which is incorporated herein by reference. It should be understood that the furanic substrate, hydrogen, any solvent, and the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst may be introduced into a suitable reactor separately or in various combinations.

[0030] Catalysts suitable for the hydrogenation reaction (hydrogenation catalysts) include heterogeneous catalysts, including solid-phase catalysts comprising one or more supported or unsupported metals. Suitable catalysts are disclosed in "Catalytic Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation," Fine Chemicals Through Heterogeneous Catalysis, 2nd ed., Sheldon and van Bekkum, p. 351 and Handbook of Heterogeneous Catalytic Hydrogenation for Organic Synthesis, Nishimura 2001 Wiley, New York . In various embodiments, metal is present at a surface of a support (i.e., at one or more surfaces, external or internal). Typically, metal comprises at least one d-block metal (i.e., transition metal; groups 3 - 12 of the periodic table). In more preferred embodiments, the metal is selected from the group consisting of palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, cobalt, iron and combinations thereof. Additional other metals may be present, including one or more d-block metals, alone or in combination with one or more rare earth metals (e.g. lanthanides), alone or in combination with one or more main group metals (e.g. Al, Ga, Tl, In, Sn, Pb or Bi). In general, the metals may be present in various forms (e.g., elemental, metal oxide, metal hydroxides, metal ions, etc.). Typically, the metal(s) at a surface of a support may constitute from about 0.25% to about 10%, or from about 1% to about 8%, or from about 2.5% to about 7.5% (e.g., 5%) of the total weight of the catalyst.

[ 0031 ] In various embodiments, the hydrogenation catalyst comprises a first metal (Ml) and a second metal (M2) at a surface of a support, wherein the Ml metal is selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium palladium, platinum, nickel, cobalt and iron and the M2 metal is selected from the group consisting of d-block metals, rare earth metals, and main group metals, wherein the Ml metal is not the same metal as the M2 metal. In various embodiments, M2 is selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, iridium, platinum and gold. In various preferred embodiments, the Ml metal is palladium and the M2 metal is selected from the group consisting of manganese, iron, and cobalt.

[ 0032 ] The Ml :M2 molar ratio may vary, for example, from about 500: 1 to about 1: 1, from about 250: 1 to about 1 : 1, from about 100: 1 to about 1 : 1, from about 50: 1 to about 1 : 1, from about 20: 1 to about 1 : 1, or from about 10: 1 to about 1: 1. In various other embodiments, the Ml :M2 molar ratio may vary, for example, from about 1 : 100 to about 1 : 1, from about 1 :50 to about 1: 1, from about 1: 10 to about 1: 1, from about 1 :5 to about 1 : 1, or from about 1:2 to about 1 : 1. [0033] Moreover, the weight percents of Ml and M2 relative to the catalyst weight may vary. Typically, the weight percent of Ml may range from about 0.5% to about 10%, more preferably from about 1% to about 8%, and still more preferably from about 2.5% to about 7.5% (e.g., about 5%). The weight percent of M2 may range from about 0.25% to about 10%, from about 0.5% to about 8%, or from about 0.5% to about 5%.

[ 0034 ] In various other embodiments, a third metal (M3) may be added to produce a M1/M2/M3 catalyst wherein the M3 metal is not the same metal as the Ml metal and the M2 metal. In yet other embodiments a fourth metal (M4) may be added to produce a M1/M2/M3/M4 catalyst wherein the M4 metal is not the same metal as the Ml metal, the M2 metal or the M3 metal. M3 and M4 may each be selected from the group consisting of d-block metals, rare earth metals (e.g. lanthanides), or main group metals (e.g. Al, Ga, Tl, In, Sn, Pb or Bi).

[0035] Suitable catalyst supports include carbon, alumina, silica, ceria, titania, zirconia, niobia, zeolite, magnesia, clays, iron oxide, silicon carbide, aluminosilicates, and modifications, mixtures or combinations thereof. The support materials may be modified using methods known in the art such as heat treatment, acid treatment or by the introduction of a dopant (for example, metal-doped titanias, metal-doped zirconias (e.g., tungstated-zirconia), metal-doped cerias, and metal-modified niobias). Particularly preferred supports are carbon (which may be activated carbon, carbon black, coke or charcoal), alumina, zirconia, titania, zeolite and silica. In various embodiments, the support of the oxidation catalyst is selected from the group consisting of carbon, zirconia, zeolite, and silica.

[0036] When a catalyst support is used, the metals may be deposited using procedures known in the art including, but not limited to incipient wetness, ion-exchange, deposition-precipitation, and vacuum impregnation. When two or more metals are deposited on the same support, they may be deposited sequentially or simultaneously. In various embodiments, following metal deposition, the catalyst is dried at a temperature of at least about 50 ⁰ C, more typically at least about 120 ⁰ C for a period of time of at least about 1 hour, more typically 3 hours or more. In these and other embodiments, the catalyst is dried under sub- atmospheric pressure conditions. In various embodiments, the catalyst is reduced after drying (e.g., by flowing 5% H ₂ in N ₂ at 350 °C for 3 hours). Still further, in these and other embodiments, the catalyst is calcined, for example, at a temperature of at least about 500°C for a period of time (e.g., at least about 3 hours).

[ 0037 ] The hydrogenation reaction is preferably conducted in the substantial absence of added halogen. It is currently believed that the introduction of a source of halogen independent of that which, if any, is within the furanic substrate inhibits the conversion rate and selectivity of the reaction to tetrahydrofuranic substrate.

[0038] The reaction product of the hydrogenation step is a tetrahydrofuranic substrate, which substrate is unexpectedly convertible to an adipic acid product in high yield. The tetrahydrofuranic substrate of the present invention is set forth in formula III, below (and further includes salts thereof):

III wherein each X is independently selected from the group consisting of -OH, -OR , and -H, or, in some embodiments, X is independently selected from the group consisting of -OH and -H, or, in some embodiments, each X is -OH, or, in some embodiments, each X is -H; Y is selected from the group consisting of -C(O)OH, -C(O)OR ¹ , -C(O)NR ³ R ⁴ , and -CH ₂ N R ³ R ⁴ ; Z is selected from the group consisting of -C(O)OH, -C(O)OR ¹ , -C(O)NR ³ R ⁴ , and -CH ₂ N R ³ R ⁴ ; each R ¹ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl; each R ² is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl; each R ³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl; each R ⁴ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl; and, preferably, each hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl in any of the aforementioned R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , and/or R ⁴ can be independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, alkylamino, thioalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, , heterocyclyl, N-heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl heteroaryl, N-heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl, in each case optionally substituted. If substituted, the aforementioned R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , and/or R ⁴ can be preferably substituted with one or more Of Ci-C ₄ alkyl, hydroxyl, amine, Ci-C ₄ alkylamino, thiol, and Ci-C ₄ thioalkyl.

[0039] As used throughout this disclosure, the term "hydrocarbyl" refers to hydrocarbyl moieties, preferably containing 1 to about 50 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, and even more preferably 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, including branched or unbranched, and saturated or unsaturated species. Preferred hydrocarbyl can be selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, alkylamino, thioalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, N-heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl heteroaryl, N- heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, and the like. A hydrocarbyl may be optionally substituted hydrocarbyl. Hence, various hydrocarbyls can be further selected from substituted alkyl, substituted cycloalkyl and the like.

III. Conversion of Tetrahydrofuranic Substrate to Adipic Acid Product

[0040] In accordance with the present invention, an adipic acid product is produced by processes comprising the step of hydrodeoxygenating a tetrahydrofuranic substrate by reacting the same with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrodeoxygenation catalyst (i.e., catalyst suitable for the step of hydrodeoxygenation), an added source of halogen and a solvent, to convert at least a portion of the tetrahydrofuranic substrate to an adipic acid product.

[0041 ] In various embodiments, the tetrahydrofuranic substrate comprises THFDCA, and a portion of the acid is converted by hydrodeoxygenation to an adipic acid product comprising adipic acid.

[0042 ] Without being bound by theory, it is believed that during this reaction THFDCA is ring opened and halogenated in the presence of the halogen source to produce a ring opened halogenated intermediate containing a carbon-halogen bond The carbon-halogen bond of the halogenated intermediate is believed to be converted to a carbon-hydrogen bond via one or more of the following pathways. In a first pathway, the halogenated intermediate reacts with hydrogen in the presence of the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst leading to the formation of a carbon-hydrogen bond along with the generation of hydrohalic acid. In a second pathway, the halogenated intermediate undergoes a dehydrohalogenation reaction to form an olefin intermediate and hydrohalic acid. The olefin is further reduced in the presence of the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst leading to the formation of a carbon-hydrogen bond. Effecting the reaction pursuant to the above described first and second pathways generates hydrohalic acid as a by-product, which is available for further reaction. In a third pathway, the halogenated intermediate reacts with hydrohalic acid leading to the formation of a carbon-hydrogen bond along with the formation of molecular halogen (or interhalogen). Effecting the reaction pursuant to the third pathway generates molecular halogen as a by-product, which is available for further reaction. One or more of the various pathways described above may occur concurrently.

[0043] The halogen source may be in a form selected from the group consisting of atomic, ionic, molecular and mixtures thereof. In various embodiments, the halogen source is hydrohalic acid. Preferred halogen sources include HBr and HI and mixtures thereof. Unexpectedly, HI has enabled the conversion of greater than 90% of THFDCA to adipic acid product. [0044 ] Generally, the molar ratio of halogen source to the tetrahydrofuranic substrate is equal to or less than about 1. Typically, the mole ratio of the halogen source to the substrate is from about 0.9: 1 to about 0.1: 1, more typically from about 0.7: 1 to about 0.3:1, and still more typically about 0.5:1.

[0045] Generally, the reaction allows for recovery of the halogen source and catalytic quantities (where molar ratio of halogen to the hydrodeoxygenation substrate is less than about 1) of halogen can be used, recovered and recycled for continued use as a halogen source.

[0046] Generally, the temperature of the hydrodeoxygenation reaction of the furanic substrate is at least about 20 ⁰ C, typically at least about 80 ⁰ C, and more typically at least about 100 ⁰ C. In various embodiments, the temperature of the hydrodeoxygenation reaction is conducted in the range of from about 20 ⁰ C to about 250 ⁰ C, from about 80 ⁰ C to about 200 ⁰ C, more preferably from about 120 ⁰ C to about 180 ⁰ C, and still more preferably from about 140 ⁰ C to about 180 ⁰ C.

[0047 ] Typically, in the hydrodeoxygenation reaction, the partial pressure of hydrogen is at least about 25 psia (172 kPa), more typically at least about 200 psia (1379 kPa) or at least about 400 psia (2758 kPa). In various embodiments, the partial pressure of hydrogen is from about 25 psia (172 kPa) to about 2500 psia (17237 kPa), from about 200 psia (1379 kPa) to about 2000 psia (13790 kPa), or from about 400 psia (2758 kPa) to about 1500 psia (10343 kPa).

[0048] The hydrodeoxygenation reaction is typically conducted in the presence of a solvent. Solvents suitable for the selective hydrodeoxygenation reaction include water and carboxylic acids, amides, esters, lactones, sulfoxides, sulfones and mixtures thereof. Preferred solvents include water, mixtures of water and weak carboxylic acid, and weak carboxylic acid. A preferred weak carboxylic acid is acetic acid.

[0049] Hydrodeoxygenation of the tetrahydrofuranic substrate can be conducted in a batch, semi-batch, or continuous reactor design using fixed bed reactors, trickle bed reactors, slurry phase reactors, moving bed reactors, or any other design that allows for heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Examples of reactors can be seen in Chemical Process Equipment - Selection and Design, Couper et al., Elsevier 1990, which is incorporated herein by reference. It should be understood that the hydrodeoxygenation substrate, halogen source, hydrogen, any solvent, and the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst may be introduced into a suitable reactor separately or in various combinations.

[0050] In various embodiments, the hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation reactions can be conducted in the same reactor, particularly when the solvent for each reaction is the same and a catalyst effective both as a catalyst for hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation reactions is employed. In such embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many of the reactors above disclosed are typically capable of being operated under a variety of conditions and can be readily controlled in order to optimize reaction conditions for the desired conversion of reactants. Methods for determining optimized conversion conditions can include, for example, periodic sampling of the reaction mixture via known reactor off-take mechanisms, analysis of the sampled product and control of the process conditions in response thereto. Further, in such embodiments, the source of halogen is, most preferably, added to the reactor after the hydrogenation reaction has been conducted under process conditions sufficient to convert a suitable portion of the furanic substrate to the tetrahydrofuranic substrate.

[0051 ] In more preferred embodiments, the hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation reactions can be conducted in separate reactors, wherein the solvent for each reaction is the same and the product from the hydrogenation reaction is passed directly into the hydrodeoxygenation reactor. In such embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many of the reactors above disclosed are typically capable of being operated under a variety of conditions and can be readily controlled in order to optimize reaction conditions for the desired conversion of reactants.

[ 0052 ] In more preferred embodiments, the hydrodeoxygenation catalysts are heterogeneous, but a suitable homogeneous catalyst may be employed. In these and various other preferred embodiments, the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst comprises a solid-phase heterogeneous catalyst in which one or more metals is present at a surface of a support (i.e., at one or more surfaces, external or internal). Preferred metals are d-block metals which may be used alone, in combination with each other, in combination with one or more rare earth metals (e.g. lanthanides), and in combination with one or more main group metals (e.g., Al, Ga, Tl, In, Sn, Pb or Bi). Preferred d-block metals are selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum and combinations thereof. More preferred d-block metals are selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, platinum, and combinations thereof. In general, the metals may be present in various forms (e.g., elemental, metal oxide, metal hydroxides, metal ions etc.). Typically, the metal(s) at a surface of a support may constitute from about 0.25% to about 10%, or from about 1% to about 8%, or from about 2.5% to about 7.5% (e.g., 5%) of the catalyst weight.

[ 0053 ] In various embodiments, the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst comprises two or more metals. For example, two of more metals (Ml and M2) may be co-supported on or within the same support (e.g., as a mixed-metal catalyst on silica; Ml/M2/Silica catalyst), or they may be supported on different support materials. In various embodiments the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst comprises a first metal (Ml) and a second metal (M2) at a surface of a support, wherein the Ml metal comprises a d-block metal and the M2 metal is selected from the group consisting of d-block metals, rare earth metals, and main group metals, wherein the Ml metal is not the same metal as the M2 metal. In various embodiments, the Ml metal is selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum. In more preferred embodiments, the Ml metal is selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, and platinum. In various embodiments, the M2 metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, tungsten, iridium, platinum, and gold. In more preferred embodiments, the M2 metal is selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, iridium, platinum, and gold.

[0054 ] In more preferred embodiments, the M 1 metal of the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst is selected from the group of platinum, rhodium and palladium, and the M2 metal is selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, platinum, and gold.

[0055] In various embodiments, the M1 :M2 molar ratio of the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst may vary, for example, from about 500: 1 to about 1: 1, from about 250: 1 to about 1: 1, from about 100: 1 to about 1 : 1, from about 50: 1 to about 1 : 1, from about 20: 1 to about 1: 1, or from about 10: 1 to about 1: 1. In various other embodiments, the Ml :M2 molar ratio may vary, for example, from about 1: 100 to about 1: 1, from about 1:50 to about 1: 1, from about 1 : 10 to about 1 : 1, from about 1 :5 to about 1 : 1, or from about 1 :2 to about 1 :1.

[0056] Moreover, in various embodiments, the weight percents of Ml and M2 of the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst relative to the total catalyst weight may vary. Typically, the weight percent of Ml may range from about 0.5% to about 10%, more preferably from about 1% to about 8%, and still more preferably from about 2.5% to about 7.5% (e.g., about 5%). The weight percent of M2 may range from about 0.25% to about 10%, from about 0.5% to about 8%, or from about 0.5% to about 5%.

[ 0057 ] In various other embodiments, a third metal (M3) may be added to produce a M1/M2/M3 hydrodeoxygenation catalyst wherein the M3 metal is not the same metal as the Ml metal and the M2 metal. In other embodiments a fourth metal (M4) may be added to produce a M1/M2/M3/M4 hydrodeoxygenation catalyst wherein the M4 metal is not the same metal as the Ml metal, the M2 metal or the M3 metal. M3 and M4 may each be selected from the group consisting of d-block metals, rare earth metals (e.g. lanthanides), or main group metals (e.g. Al, Ga, Tl, In, Sn, Pb or Bi). [0058] Preferred hydrodeoxygenation catalyst supports include carbon, alumina, silica, ceria, titania, zirconia, niobia, zeolite, magnesia, clays, iron oxide, silicon carbide, aluminosilicates, and modifications, mixtures or combinations thereof. The supports may be modified through methods known in the art such as heat treatment, acid treatment, the introduction of a dopant (for example, metal-doped titanias, metal-doped zirconias (e.g. tungstated zirconia), metal-doped cerias, and metal-modified niobias). In various preferred embodiments, the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst support is selected from the group consisting of carbon, silica, zirconia and titania.

[0059] When a catalyst support is used for the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst, the metals may be deposited using procedures known in the art including, but not limited to incipient wetness, ion-exchange, deposition-precipitation and vacuum impregnation. When the two or more metals are deposited on the same support, they may be deposited sequentially, or simultaneously. In various embodiments, following metal deposition, the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst is dried at a temperature of at least about 50 ⁰ C, more typically at least about 120 ⁰ C or more for a period of time of at least about 1 hour, more typically at least about 3 hours or more. In these and other embodiments, the catalyst is dried under sub-atmospheric conditions. In various embodiments, the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst is reduced after drying (e.g., by flowing 5% H ₂ in N ₂ at 350 °C for 3 hours). Still further, in these and other embodiments, the hydrodeoxygenation catalyst is calcined, for example, at a temperature of at least about 500°C for a period of time (e.g., at least about 3 hours).

[0060] As should be apparent from the disclosure herein, in certain preferred embodiments, the hydrodeoxygenation catalysts useful for the hydrodeoxygenation of the tetrahydrofuranic substrate are also effective as catalysts for the hydrogenation of the furanic substrate.

[0061 ] Without being bound by theory not expressly recited in the claims, catalysts mixtures (co-catalysts or mixed metal catalysts) containing more than one metal may affect separate steps of the mechanistic reaction pathway.

[ 0062 ] Surprisingly, the production of adipic acid product from the tetrahydrofuranic substrate is quite facile. Yields of adipic acid product from the hydrodeoxygenation of this substrate can be at least about 90%, or more.

[0063] Adipic acid product produced in accordance with the processes of the present invention may be recovered from the hydrodeoxygenation reaction by, for example, one or more combinations of conventional methods known in the art such as, for example, separation of the reaction liquids from catalyst (typically a solid) and the halogen (as, for example, vapor phase separation thereof), followed by solvent extraction/evaporation or adipic acid product crystallization.

IV. Downstream Chemical Products

[0064 ] Various methods are known in the art for conversion of adipic acid to downstream chemical products or intermediates including adipate esters, polyesters, adiponitrile, hexamethylene diamine (HMDA), caprolactam, caprolactone, 1,6-hexanediol, aminocaproic acid, and polyamide such as nylons. For conversions from adipic acid, see for example, without limitation, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,671,566, 3,917,707, 4,767,856, 5,900,511, 5,986,127, 6,008,418, 6,087,296, 6,147,208, 6,462,220, 6,521,779, 6,569,802, and Musser, "Adipic Acid" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2005.

[0065] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, when acetic acid is employed as a solvent in at least the hydrodeoxygenation of the tetrahydrofuranic substrate, the adipic acid product resulting therefrom will comprise at least one acyl-group-containing compound and, possibly, one or more diacyl compounds; i.e., when Y or Z = -CH ₂ N R ³ R ⁴ wherein R3 and R4 is H, then one or more H atoms will likely be converted to -C(O)Me (acyl group), for example N,N' - diacetyl hexamethylenediamine. In such aspect of the invention, the acyl group(s) of such compounds can readily be hydrolyzed (for example, in the presence of a base), wherein they are reconverted to an -H, and the acetic acid can then be regenerated. Thus, hexamethylenediamine (HDMA) can be produced.

[0066] In various embodiments, an adipic acid product is converted to adiponitrile wherein the adipic acid product is prepared in accordance with the present invention. Adiponitrile can be used industrially for the manufacture of hexamethylenediamine, see Smiley, "Hexamethylenediamine" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH 2009. Therefore, in further embodiments, an adipic acid product is converted to hexamethylenediamine wherein the adipic acid product is prepared in accordance with the present invention.

[0067 ] Adipic acid is useful in the production of polyamides, such as nylon 6,6 and nylon 4,6. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,722,997, and Musser, "Adipic Acid" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2005. The hexamethylenediamine formed from an adipic acid product prepared in accordance with the present invention can likewise be further used for the preparation of polyamides such as nylon 6,6 and nylon 6,12. See, for example Kohan, Mestemacher, Pagilagan, Redmond, "Polyamides" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2005. [0068] Accordingly, adipic acid and a polymer precursor derived from an adipic acid product (e.g., hexamethylenediamine) may be reacted to produce a polyamide, wherein the adipic acid product is prepared in accordance with the present invention. Polymer precursor, as used herein, refers to a monomer which can be converted to a polymer (or copolymer) under appropriate polymerization conditions. In various embodiments, the polyamide comprises nylon 6,6. In these embodiments, nylon 6,6 is produced by reacting an adipic acid product with a polymer precursor derived from an adipic acid product, wherein the polymer precursor comprises hexamethylenediamine. In these embodiments, hexamethylenediamine may be prepared by converting an adipic acid product to adiponitrile which then may be converted to hexamethylene diamine, wherein the adipic acid product is prepared in accordance with the present invention.

[0069] In other embodiments, an adipic acid product is converted to caprolactam wherein the adipic acid product is prepared in accordance with the present invention. The caprolactam formed can be further used for the preparation of polyamides by means generally known in the art. Specifically, caprolactam can be further used for the preparation of nylon 6. See, for example Kohan, Mestemacher, Pagilagan, Redmond, "Polyamides" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley -VCH, Weinheim, 2005.

[0070] In various embodiments, nylon 6 is produced by reacting caprolactam derived from an adipic acid product prepared in accordance with the present invention.

[0071 ] In other embodiments, adipic acid and a polymer precursor may be reacted to produce a polyester, wherein the adipic acid product is prepared in accordance with the present invention.

[0072 ] In other embodiments, an adipic acid product is converted to 1 ,6-hexanediol wherein the adipic acid product is prepared in accordance with the present invention. 1,6- hexanediol is a valuable chemical intermediate used in the production of polyesters and polyurethanes. Accordingly, in various embodiments, polyester may be prepared by reacting adipic acid and 1,6-hexandiol derived from an adipic acid product, prepared in accordance with the present invention.

[ 0073 ] In various embodiments a salt of adipic acid may be produce wherein the process comprises reacting adipic acid with hexamethylenediamine, thereby forming the salt, wherein adipic acid is prepared in accordance with the present invention.

[0074 ] When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0075] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

[0076] As various changes could be made in the above compositions and processes without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[ 0077 ] Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. EXAMPLES

[0078] The following non-limiting examples are provided to further illustrate the present invention.

[0079] Reactions were conducted in 1 mL glass vials housed in a pressurized vessel in accordance with the procedures described in the examples below. Product yields were determined using mass spectrometry through comparison with calibration standards.

Preparation of Ml/Silica Catalysts (Ml = Rh, Pd, Pt).

[0080] 2 g of dried 5 μm Silica Cariact (Fuji Silysia) was weighed into vials. Suitably concentrated Ml stock solutions (Ml = Rh, Pd, Pt) were prepared from concentrated acidic stock solutions purchased from Heraeus (see Table 1). For each Ml, multiple additions of the dilute Ml stock solution were added to the silica (silica pore volume = 0.7 mL/g) until a total volume of 1.4 ml was reached. After each addition, the mixtures were agitated to impregnate the silica. Post impregnation, the Ml/Silica mixtures were dried in a furnace at 120 ⁰ C for 12 hours, followed by calcination at 500 ⁰ C for 3 hours. Upon cooling the catalysts were stored in a dessicator until used.

Preparation of Tetrahydrofuran-2,5-Dicarboxylic Acid (THFDCA):

[0081 ] A 10OmL pressure vessel with a glass liner and an impeller was charged with 1.87 g of furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, 0.5 g of 4% Pd/Silica and 4OmL of acetic acid. The pressure vessel was purged 3 times with nitrogen, and 2 times with hydrogen. The vessel was then pressurized to 750 psig hydrogen and heated to 140 ⁰ C for 3 hours. After cooling the vessel was vented and the solids were separated by filtration. The acetic acid solution was evaporated under vacuum to provide 1.68 g (88 % yield) of tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dicarboxylic acid. Tetrahydrofuran-2,5-Dicarboxilic Acid to Adipic Acid Reactions:

[0082 ] Ml/Silica catalysts were transferred to 1 mL glass vials within a 96-well reactor insert (Symyx Solutions). Each vial within each array received a glass bead and 250 μL of 0.2 M THFDCA, 0.1 to 0.3 M of HBr (Sigma-Aldrich) in Acetic Acid (Sigma-Aldrich), or HI (Sigma-Aldrich). Upon solution addition, the arrays of vials were covered with a Teflon pin-hole sheet, a silicone pin-hole mat and steel gas diffusion plate (Symyx Solutions). The reactor insert was placed in a pressure vessel, pressurized and vented 3 times with nitrogen and 3 times with hydrogen before being pressurized with hydrogen to 710 psig, heated to 140 ⁰ C or 160 ⁰ C and shaken for 3 hours. After 3 hours the reactors were cooled, vented and purged with nitrogen. 750 μl of water was then added to each vial. Following the water addition, the arrays were covered and shaken to ensure adequate mixing. Subsequently, the covered arrays were placed in a centrifuge to separate the catalyst particles. Each reaction samples was then diluted 100-fold with water to generate a sample for analysis by mass spectrometry. The results are presented in Table 1. Table 1.