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Synthesis of Bio‐Based Methacrylic Acid by Decarboxylation of Itaconic Acid and Citric Acid Catalyzed by Solid Transition‐Metal Catalysts
Author(s) -
Le Nôtre Jérôme,
Wittevan Dijk Susan C. M.,
van Haveren Jacco,
Scott Elinor L.,
Sanders Johan P. M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201402117
Subject(s) - itaconic acid , methacrylic acid , citric acid , decarboxylation , chemistry , selectivity , catalysis , yield (engineering) , organic chemistry , monomer , materials science , polymer , metallurgy
Methacrylic acid, an important monomer for the plastics industry, was obtained in high selectivity (up to 84 %) by the decarboxylation of itaconic acid using heterogeneous catalysts based on Pd, Pt and Ru. The reaction takes place in water at 200–250 °C without any external added pressure, conditions significantly milder than those described previously for the same conversion with better yield and selectivity. A comprehensive study of the reaction parameters has been performed, and the isolation of methacrylic acid was achieved in 50 % yield. The decarboxylation procedure is also applicable to citric acid, a more widely available bio‐based feedstock, and leads to the production of methacrylic acid in one pot in 41 % selectivity. Aconitic acid, the intermediate compound in the pathway from citric acid to itaconic acid was also used successfully as a substrate.