USE OF ACTIVATED CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE OXIDATION OF COMPOUNDS HAVING A HYDROXY GROUP

摘要

The invention pertains to a process for the oxidation of a compound having a hydroxy group, said process comprising the steps of: (a) oxidising said compound having a hydroxy group; (b) reducing carbon dioxide at a cathode; wherein steps (a) and(b) are effected in the presence of an ionic liquid. The course of the reaction may be directed, such as stimulating or suppressing oligomerization, resulting in the controlled synthesis of a wide variety of products, e.g. dialkyl carbonates, and lactic acid and/or lactide (which may be further converted to acrylic acid).