Liquid-phase process for the production of acrylic acid esters from glyceric acid
Acrylic acid and its esters are vital in the chemical industry, particularly for polymer manufacturing. To address the growing demand and reduce reliance on the conventional propylene oxidation process derived from fossil resources, this disclosure presents a novel catalytic method. Our method efficiently produces acrylic acid, propanoic acid, and their esters from bio-based glyceric acid or its derivatives in alcohol, using a solid catalyst in an inert atmosphere without the need for additional reducing agents.
This invention features the use of a solid catalyst, enabling catalyst recycling and the establishment of a continuous process. It eliminates the need for additional reducing agents, particularly hazardous hydrogen gas, and combines deoxydehydration, hydrogenation, and esterification. This results in the production of easily recoverable and industrially sought-after acrylate esters as the primary products.
Our production method ensures high selectivity and yields in a simplified process, where acrylic esters are efficiently produced in a one-pot process. It also unlocks a wide range of production as it enables the use of various alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, and propanol, in the synthesis of various acrylates and propanoates.
Developed by: Department of Catalysis and Chemical Reaction Engineering.
Technology readiness level: TRL3.
Status of intellectual property: Patent pending.
Cooperation opportunities: Scale-up, joint development, intellectual property licensing, or sale.