Methods of producing para-xylene and terephthalic acid
AssigneeMicromidas, Inc.
InventorsMakoto N. Masuno, Douglas Cannon, John Bissell, Ryan L. Smith, Marc Foster, Alex Benjamin Wood, Patrick B. Smith, Dennis A. Hucul
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides methods to produce para-xylene, toluene, and other compounds from renewable sources (e.g., cellulose, hemicellulose) and ethylene in the presence of an acid, such as a Lewis acid. For example, cellulose and/or hemicellulose may be converted into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) and 2-methylfuran, which may be converted into para-xylene and toluene, respectively. In particular, para-xylene can then be oxidized to form terephthalic acid.
Claims40
A method for producing para-xylene, comprising:
- a) providing 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF);
- b) providing ethylene;
- c) providing a Lewis acid;
- d) providing a solvent;
- e) combining the DMF, the ethylene, the Lewis acid, and the solvent to form a reaction mixture;
- and
- f) producing para-xylene from at least a portion of the DMF in the reaction mixture.
(canceled)
(canceled)
A method for producing para-xylene, comprising:
- a) providing 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF);
- b) providing ethylene;
- c) providing a Lewis acid, wherein the Lewis acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, AlCl3, CuCl2, Cu(OTf)2, GdCl3, Gd(OTf)3, InCl3, In(OTf)3, YCl3, and Y(OTf)3;
- d) combining the DMF, the ethylene, and the Lewis acid to form a reaction mixture;
- and
- e) producing para-xylene from at least a portion of the DMF in the reaction mixture.
(canceled)
A method for producing a compound of formula I, wherein formula I has the structure:
- wherein each R1 and R2 is independently hydrogen or alkyl, and
- wherein the method comprises:
- a) providing a compound of formula II, wherein formula II has the structure:
- b) providing ethylene;
- c) providing a Lewis acid;
- d) providing a solvent;
- e) combining the compound of formula II, the ethylene, the Lewis acid and the solvent to form a reaction mixture;
- and
- f) producing a compound of formula I from at least a portion of the compound of formula II in the reaction mixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.