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A Green and Sustainable Approach: Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Asymmetric l ‐Menthol Process
Author(s) -
Emura Makoto,
Matsuda Hiroyuki
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemistry and biodiversity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.427
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1612-1880
pISSN - 1612-1872
DOI - 10.1002/cbdv.201400063
Subject(s) - menthol , rosin , aroma , chemistry , organic chemistry , raw material , catalysis , pulp and paper industry , polymer science , food science , engineering , resin acid
Takasago has been devoted to producing l ‐menthol since 1954, and our long history of manufacturing this important aroma chemical is reviewed here. The current asymmetric catalytic process had its 30th anniversary in 2013. Our l ‐menthol process is considered carbon‐neutral, and, therefore, ‘green’ and sustainable. It uses renewable myrcene obtained from gum rosin as a starting material. In addition, the Rh‐BINAP (=2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl) catalytic system is highly efficient. This pathway not only leads l ‐menthol, but a variety of 100% biobased aroma chemical products as well. By measuring the 14 C levels in a material, one can determine the percentage of carbon that is biobased. This biobased assay, described as the ratio plant‐derived C/fossil‐derived C, can clarify how renewable a product really is. This will be highlighted for several of Takasago 's key aroma chemicals.