Adipic Acid Hydrogenation Route Using 3-Hydroxyadipic Acid Lactone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing adipic acid from biomass resources face challenges such as low yield, low solubility of intermediates, multi-step processes, and the use of toxic chemicals, which are environmentally unfavorable.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the hydrogenation of 3-hydroxyadipic acid-3,6-lactone with hydrogen in an aqueous solvent using a hydrogenation catalyst, preferably supported on a catalyst with acid catalytic activity, to produce adipic acid in a single step without toxic reagents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If adipic acid is produced by fermentation using sugar or fatty acid as raw material, then environmental friendliness is improved, but the yield of adipic acid is low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the reaction system by using 3-hydroxyadipic acid-3,6-lactone as a specific intermediate and conducting hydrogenation at controlled temperatures (100-350°C) and pressures with specific catalysts, achieving both environmental friendliness and high yield (90% or more based on theoretical value)
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces 3-hydroxyadipic acid-3,6-lactone as a key intermediary substance that bridges biomass resources and adipic acid production, enabling a reaction pathway that avoids dinitrogen monoxide emission while maintaining high productivity through its specific chemical properties
2Device complexity
If muconic acid is used as raw material for chemical hydrogenation, then the process is simplified, but the solubility of muconic acid in solvent is low making high-concentration reaction difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameter of solubility by selecting 3-hydroxyadipic acid-3,6-lactone as the raw material, which has high solubility in water and other solvents, enabling high-concentration reactions without compromising process simplicity
3Adaptability or versatility
If homocitric acid is used as raw material, then biomass utilization is improved, but the fermentation yield of homocitric acid is low and multi-step chemical reaction is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and utilizes the 3-hydroxyadipic acid-3,6-lactone intermediate from the fermentation process, bypassing the need to produce and process homocitric acid, thereby eliminating multi-step reactions and improving overall productivity while maintaining biomass utilization
4Adaptability or versatility
If sugar is used as raw material for chemical synthesis, then renewable resource utilization is improved, but an equivalent amount of toxic hydrogen bromide must be used
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the fermentation process into a beneficial pathway that produces 3-hydroxyadipic acid-3,6-lactone without requiring toxic chemicals, transforming what would be a complex multi-step chemical synthesis into an environmentally friendly process that maintains renewable resource utilization
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Adipic acid is produced under industrially advantageous conditions with high yield and solubility, eliminating the need for toxic chemicals and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
reacting 3-hydroxyadipic acid-3,6-lactone with hydrogen in an aqueous solvent in a presence of a hydrogenation catalyst
Implementation Method 2
in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of producing adipic acid, including a step (hydrogenation step) of reacting 3-hydroxyadipic acid-3,6-lactone with hydrogen in an aqueous solvent in a presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. The hydrogenation catalyst preferably includes one kind or two or more kinds of transition metal elements selected from the group consisting of palladium, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, rhenium, nickel, cobalt, iron, iridium, osmium, copper, and chromium.