A switchable route to valuable commodity chemicals from glycerol via electrocatalytic oxidation with an earth abundant metal oxidation catalyst. Issue 8 (10th April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lam, Chun Ho; Bloomfield, Aaron J.; Anastas, Paul T.
• Is Part Of: Green chemistry. Volume 19:Issue 8(2017)
• Page Start: 1958
• Page End: 1968
• Publication Date: 2017-04-10
• Subjects: Environmental chemistry -- Industrial applications -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1039/c7gc00371d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-9262

Abstract

Abstract : A switchable mild electrocatalytic protocol to transform glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel production, into either lactic or glyceric acid is reported. Abstract : Electrocatalytic upgrading of glycerol to value-added commodity is demonstrated using an ultralow loading of a cobalt-based oxidation catalyst at 16 μg cm −2 . Reactions take place under ambient conditions in an aqueous environment, while generating H2 as a byproduct. Selectivity towards two major products, lactic acid and glyceric acid, can be controlled via simple variation of reaction conditions. The system is scalable and functions well even in the presence of methanol, an impurity commonly found in the industrial bio-diesel waste stream. Industrial glycerol waste from a local bio-diesel plant was also shown to be upgradable after a simple aqueous pretreatment.