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Highly Selective Synthesis of Acrylic Acid from Lactide in the Liquid Phase
Author(s) -
Nagengast Jens,
Hahn Simon,
Taccardi Nicola,
Kehrer Matthias,
Kadar Julian,
Collias Dimitris,
Dziezok Peter,
Wasserscheid Peter,
Albert Jakob
Publication year - 2018
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.201800914
Subject(s) - acrylic acid , chemistry , lactic acid , catalysis , bromide , solvent , ionic liquid , lactide , selectivity , organic chemistry , polymer chemistry , copolymer , polymer , biology , bacteria , genetics
A new reaction system for the highly selective, hydrobromic acid catalyzed conversion of lactide into acrylic acid under mild conditions is reported. The applied liquid reaction system consists of a temperature‐stable bromide‐containing ionic liquid and 2‐bromopropionic acid as a source of dry HBr, with no volatile organic solvent being used. This allows for the in situ removal of the formed acrylic acid, leading to an unmatched acrylic acid selectivity of over 72 % at full lactide conversion. Accounting for leftover reaction intermediates on the way to acrylic acid, which could be recycled in an elaborate continuous process, the proposed reaction system shows potential for acrylic acid yields well above 85 % in the liquid phase. This opens new avenues for the effective conversion of biogenic lactic acid (e.g., obtained by fermentation from starch) to acrylic acid. The resulting bio‐acrylic acid is a highly attractive product for, for example, the diaper industry, where we expect consumers to be especially sensitive to aspects of sustainability.