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Catalytic acetoxylation of lactic acid to 2-acetoxypropionic acid, en route to acrylic acid

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

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  • Rolf Beerthuis
  • Marta Granollers
  • D. Robert Brown
  • Horacio J. Salavagione
  • Gadi Rothenberg
  • N. Raveendran Shiju
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>1/05/2015
<mark>Journal</mark>RSC Advances
Issue number6
Volume5
Number of pages6
Pages (from-to)4103-4108
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

We present an alternative synthetic route to acrylic acid, starting from the platform chemical lactic acid and using heterogeneous catalysis. To improve selectivity, we designed an indirect dehydration reaction that proceeds via acetoxylation of lactic acid to 2-acetoxypropionic acid. This intermediate can then be pyrolized to acrylic acid. Acetic acid is used both as a reagent and a solvent in the first step, and may be recovered in the subsequent pyrolysis step. We tested a range of solid acid catalysts for the acetoxylation step (Y zeolites, sulfated zirconia, ion-exchange resins, sulfonated graphene, and various sulfonated silica gels and mixed oxides). Recycling studies were carried out for the most active catalysts. To enable quantitative analysis using gas chromatography we also developed a reliable silylation derivatization method, which is also reported. These results open opportunities for improving the biorenewable production of acrylic acid.