Login / Signup

Transforming Methyl Levulinate into Biosurfactants and Biolubricants by Chemoselective Reductive Etherification with Fatty Alcohols.

Andrea Garcia-OrtizKaren S AriasMaria J ClimentAvelino CormaSara Iborra
Published in: ChemSusChem (2020)
Biomass-derived surfactants with very good surface tension and critical micellar concentration properties were obtained by conversion of methyl levulinate into methyl 4-alkoxypentanoates through reductive etherification with aliphatic alcohols. Among different bifunctional acid/metal catalysts best results were obtained with Pd on carbon bearing acid sites. The reaction occurred through the formation of an enol ether intermediate followed by hydrogenation. Pd in high-density planes was the active hydrogenation species, and an optimum crystal size was found to be approximately 10 nm. The reductive etherification with aliphatic alcohols was extended to other aliphatic and cyclic ketones and aldehydes obtained from biomass, and excellent results were obtained on supported Pd catalysts with the reaction route and experimental conditions described in this work.
Keyphrases
  • high density
  • highly efficient
  • wastewater treatment
  • metal organic framework
  • anaerobic digestion
  • ionic liquid
  • genetic diversity
  • electron transfer
  • light emitting