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Production of levulinic acid and use as a platform chemical for derived products

2000; Elsevier BV; Volume: 28; Issue: 3-4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0921-3449(99)00047-6

1879-0658

Joseph J. Bozell, Luc Moëns, Douglas C. Elliott, Yang Wang, G.G Neuenscwander, Steve Fitzpatrick, R.J Bilski, J Jarnefeld,

Enzyme Catalysis and Immobilization

Levulinic acid (LA) can be produced cost effectively and in high yield from renewable feedstocks in a new industrial process. The technology is being demonstrated on a 1 ton/day scale at a facility in South Glens Falls, New York. Low cost LA can be used as a platform chemical for the production of a wide range of value-added products. This research has demonstrated that LA can be converted to methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF), a solvent and fuel extender. MTHF is produced in >80% molar yield via a single stage catalytic hydrogenation process. A new preparation of δ-aminolevulinic acid (DALA), a broad spectrum herbicide, from LA has also been developed. Each step in this new process proceeds in high (>80%) yield and affords DALA (as the hydrochloride salt) in >90% purity, giving a process that could be commercially viable. LA is also being investigated as a starting material for the production of diphenolic acid (DPA), a direct replacement for bisphenol A.