PRODUCTION AND USE OF FURAN COMPOUNDS

The present invention, relates to processes for the production and conversion of furan compounds. In certain embodiments the invention concerns the conversion of furfural compounds into a so-called Knoevenagel products and for the further conversion of such Knoevenagel products into furan commodities. The reactions involved, generally speaking, use benign chemicals and conditions and have good yields and selectivity, and it is expected that they can be implemented on a large (industrial) scale in an economically feasible manner. Also, with the processes developed by the present inventors, various highly interesting new furan commodities become available. The invention also provides various intermediate and end-products obtained with the processes of the invention.