BIO-DERIVED OLEFIN SYNTHESIS

摘要

Disclosed is a method for the combined synthesis of at least two vinylic monomers, at least one of which being an acrylic compound, comprising subjecting a monoconjgated alkene-1-carboxylic compound to reaction with a C2-C4 alkene under conditions of olefin cross-metathesis. The invention is particularly useful for extracting value from protein side streams. Upon protein hydrolysis, suitable amino acids (preferably phenylalanine or tyrosine) are subjected to reductive amination so as to form the corresponding alkene-1-carboxylic acid. Preferably after esterification and separation, this is used in cross-metathesis for the concomitant production of styrene resp. hydroxy styrene, and acrylates. The invention is applicable more widely, to the synthesis of olefins on the basis of carbohydrates, naturally occurring phenolic components, natural protein resources, or amino acids obtained from fermentations.