Synthesis of Acrylonitrile from Renewable Lactic Acid. Issue 8 (13th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mack, Daniel; Schätzle, Sabrina; Traa, Yvonne; Klemm, Elias
• Is Part Of: ChemSusChem. Volume 12:Issue 8(2019)
• Page Start: 1653
• Page End: 1663
• Publication Date: 2019-03-13
• Subjects: acrylonitrile -- amidation -- lactic acid -- renewable resources -- zeolites; Green chemistry -- Periodicals; Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201802914
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-5631

Abstract

Abstract: Acrylonitrile (ACN) is widely used as monomer in the synthesis of polymers and carbon fibers. Nowadays, its production is based on fossil resources. Herein, an alternative process based on renewable resources is presented. Lactic acid (LA), which can be obtained by fermentation of biomass, was converted to ACN in two steps with an overall selectivity of 57 %. In the first step, a direct amidation of LA in the presence of water was conducted at 230 °C. Zeolites can catalyze the formation of lactamide, and a selectivity of 92 % was reached at 33 % conversion with NH4 ‐ZSM‐5. In the second step, the dehydration of lactamide to ACN was performed with acetic anhydride, and an ACN selectivity of 62 % was achieved at full conversion. Abstract : Polymers from biomass : Acrylonitrile is used as a monomer in the production of various polymers. In this paper, an alternative way for its production is described. Lactic acid, which can be produced from biomass, is used as platform chemical. The chemical conversion proceeds through a direct amidation of lactic acid in the presence of water and dehydration of the obtained lactamide with acetic anhydride.