Methods for preparing methacrylic acid from biobased starting materials

摘要

Described herein are methods for preparing methacrylic acid from biobased starting materials. One aspect of the present invention provides a method for preparing methacrylic acid, comprising the following steps: a) oxidizing a compound of formula I wherein R1 is oxo or hydroxyl, to obtain isobutyric acid; b) halogenating the isobutyric acid to obtain 3-haloisobutyric acid; and c) dehalogenating the 3-haloisobutyric acid to obtain methacrylic acid.