PRODUCTION OF ALPHA-HYDROXY CARBOXYLIC AIDS AND ESTERS FROM HIGHER SUGARS USING TANDEM CATALYST SYSTEMS

摘要

The present disclosure is directed to methods and composition used in the preparation of alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids and esters from higher sugars using a tandem catalyst system comprising retro-aldol catalysts and Lewis acid catalysts. In some embodiments, these alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids may be prepared from pentoses and hexoses. The retro-aldol and Lewis catalysts may be characterized by their respective ability to catalyze a 1,2-carbon shift reaction and a 1,2-hydride shift reaction on an aldose or ketose substrate.

主权项

1. A method comprising contacting a carbohydrate feedstock with a tandem catalyst system, the contacting resulting in the formation of an α-hydroxy carboxylic acid or α-hydroxy carboxylic acid ester, wherein the tandem catalyst system comprises:
(a) a first retro-aldol catalyst; and (b) a second Lewis acid catalyst.