TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The catalyst is solid base or supported organic base. The catalyst comprises catalyst selected from ethylenediamine on poly(styrene), 3-aminopropyl-functionalized silica or other base-functionalized oxide materials, dimethylaminopyridine on poly(styrene), magnesium oxide, hydrotalcites, oxynitrides, and/or alkali exchanged zeolites. The substituted or unsubstituted furan compound comprising electron-withdrawing groups is 2-(furan-2-ylmethylene)malonic acid, and/or 5-hydroxymethyl-2-(furan-2-ylmethylene)malonic acid.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The reaction between substituted or unsubstituted furfural and activated methylene compound comprising at least one electron withdrawing group is conducted in the presence of a solvent (preferably tetrahydrofuran (THF), ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, water, toluene, hexanes, and/or isopropanol). The reaction between substituted or unsubstituted furfural and activated methylene compound comprising at least one electron withdrawing group is conducted in the absence of solvent. The reaction between the substituted or unsubstituted furfural with an activated methylene compound is conducted at temperature of greater than 60 degrees C. The method further involves hydrodeoxygenating the substituted or unsubstituted furan compound comprising electron-withdrawing groups; hydrodenitrogenating the furan compound comprising electron-withdrawing groups; hydrodeoxygenating and hydrodenitrogenating the furan compound comprising electron-withdrawing groups. The product which is hydrodeoxygenated, hydrodenitrogenated, or both comprises branched alkenes, and/or branched alkanes. The substituted or unsubstituted aldehyde or ketone is reacted with the activated methylene compound comprising electron withdrawing group in the presence of a solvent. The product which is hydrodeoxygenated, hydrodenitrogenated, or both comprises at least one less oxygen atom than the Knoevenagel product. The product which is hydrodeoxygenated, hydrodenitrogenated, or both is substantially free of oxygen. The method further involves increasing the molecular weight of the product which is hydrodeoxygenated, and/or hydrodenitrogenated; and hydrogenating the product after increasing its molecular weight. Preferred Components: The biomass is lignocellulosic. The biomass comprises carbohydrates (preferably cellulose, hemicellulose, poly(aromatics), extractives, and/or ash). The biomass comprises carbohydrates (greater than 50%). The furfural is substituted furfural (preferably 5-hydroxymethyl-furfural). The activated methylene compound comprises malononitrile, substituted or unsubstituted malonic acid, and/or levulinic acid or its esters or its derivatives. EXAMPLE - A solution of furfural (0.192 g) and malonic acid (0.208 g) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) (8 ml) was prepared in pressure tube and 3-aminopropyl (25 mg) on silica on poly(styrene) was added as catalyst. The tube was placed in oil bath that was heated to 70 degrees C. After a reaction time of 13 hour conversion of 99% (aldehyde) was observed.