Preparation of Butanol from Ethanol Derived from Fermentation
AssigneePioneer Energy, Inc.
InventorsJohn T. Henri, Jan Zygmunt, Mark Berggren, Robert Zubrin
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Abstract
In one embodiment, the present application discloses methods to selectively synthesize higher alcohols and hydrocarbons useful as fuels and industrial chemicals from syngas and biomass. Ketene and ketonization chemistry along with hydrogenation reactions are used to synthesize fuels and chemicals. In another embodiment, ketene used to form fuels and chemicals may be manufactured from acetic acid which in turn can be synthesized from synthesis gas which is produced from coal, biomass, natural gas, etc.
Claims20
1-37. (canceled)
A method for the preparation of an alkyl compound or a mixture of alkyl compounds, the method comprising:
- a) preparing a ketene of the formula I from a carboxylic acid:
- wherein:
- each R1 is independently H or C1-6 alkyl;
- and
- each R2 is independently H or C1-6 alkyl;
- b) reacting the ketene in a self-addition reaction to form a diketene of the formula II;
- and
- c) hydrogenating the diketene of the formula II in the presence of a metal catalyst to form the alkyl compound or the mixtures of alkyl compounds.
The method of claim 38 where butanol is a product.
A method for the preparation of an alkyl compound or mixture of alkyl compounds, comprising:
- a) preparing a compound of the formula I:
- R1 is H;
- and
- R2 is H;
- b) reacting the compound of the formula Ito form a diketene self-addition product;
- c) reacting the diketene self-addition product with a C1-6 alcohol to form an acetoacetate ester;
- and
- d) the acetoacetate ester is hydrogenated to from 1-butanol, 2-butanol or a mixture thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.