Heterogeneous Catalytic Synthesis of Methyl Lactate and Lactic Acid from Sugars and Their Derivatives

Recent developments in sugar transformations to methyl lactate and lactic acid are critically summarized. The highest yield of methyl lactate from glucose obtained over Sn(salen)/octylmethyl imidazolium bromide catalyst was 68 % at 160 °C whereas the highest yield of lactic acid of 58 % was achieved...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ChemSusChem 2020-09, Vol.13 (18), p.4833-4855
Main Authors: Mäki‐Arvela, Päivi, Aho, Atte, Murzin, Dmitry Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetals
Atmospheric models
Catalysts
Chemical synthesis
heterogeneous catalysis
Inert atmospheres
Lactic acid
Lewis acids
Liquid phases
Mass balance
methyl lactate
Regeneration
Review
Reviews
Sugar
sugars
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Summary:Recent developments in sugar transformations to methyl lactate and lactic acid are critically summarized. The highest yield of methyl lactate from glucose obtained over Sn(salen)/octylmethyl imidazolium bromide catalyst was 68 % at 160 °C whereas the highest yield of lactic acid of 58 % was achieved over hierarchical Lewis acidic Sn‐Beta catalysts at 200 °C under inert atmosphere. In addition to the desired products also humins are formed in water whereas in methanol alkyl glucosides‐ and ‐fructosides as well as acetals were generated, especially in the presence of Brønsted‐acidic sites. The main challenges limiting the industrial feasibility of these reactions are incomplete liquid phase mass balance closure, complicated product analysis and a lack of kinetic data. In addition to reporting optimized reaction conditions and catalyst properties also catalyst reuse and regeneration as well as kinetic modelling and continuous operation are summarized. Fast as sugar? Recent developments in sugar transformations to methyl lactate and lactic acid are summarized. The highest yields of methyl lactate and lactic acid are in the range of 58–68 %. In addition to the desired products also humins are formed in water. The main challenges limiting industrial feasibility of these reactions are incomplete liquid‐phase mass balance closure, complicated product analysis and a lack of kinetic data.
ISSN:1864-5631
1864-564X
DOI:10.1002/cssc.202001223