DECARBOXYLATION OF LEVULINIC ACID TO KETONE SOLVENTS

摘要

Ketones, specifically Methyl ethyl ketone (“MEK”) and octanedione, may be formed from six carbon sugars. This process involves obtaining a quantity of a six carbon sugar and then reacting the sugar to form levulinic acid and formic acid. The levulinic acid and formic acid are then converted to an alkali metal levulinate and an alkali metal formate (such as, for example, sodium levulinate and sodium formate.) The alkali metal levulinate is placed in an anolyte along with hydrogen gas that is used in an electrolytic cell. The alkali metal levulinate within the anolyte is decarboxylated to form MEK radicals, wherein the MEK radicals react with hydrogen gas to form MEK, or MEK radicals react with each other to form octanedione. The alkali metal formate may also be decarboxylated in the cell, thereby forming hydrogen radicals that react with the MEK radicals to form MEK.

主权项

1. A method of forming a ketone comprising:
obtaining a quantity of a six carbon sugar; reacting the sugar to form an alkali metal levulinate; preparing an anolyte comprising the alkali metal levulinate; decarboxylating the alkali metal levulinate within the anolyte in an electrolytic cell to form at least a methyl ethyl ketone (“MEK”) radical, wherein the electrolytic cell comprises an anolyte compartment that houses the anolyte, a catholyte compartment that houses a catholyte, and an alkali ion conducting membrane that separates the anolyte compartment from the catholyte compartment, wherein the MEK radicals in the anolyte further react to form a ketone.