Device and method of obtaining diols and other chemicals using decarboxylation
AssigneeField Upgrading Limited
InventorsJames MOSBY, Sai BHAVARAJU, Mukund KARANJIKAR
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Abstract
A method for converting carboxylic acids (including carboxylic acids derived from biomass) into hydrocarbons. The produced hydrocarbons will generally have at least two oxygen containing substituents (or other substituents). In one example of application, the electrolysis converts alkali salts of carboxylic acids into diols which can then be used as solvents or be dehydrated to produce dienes, which can then be used to produce elastic polymeric materials. This process allows custom synthesis of high value chemicals from renewable feed stocks such as carboxylic acids derived from biomass.
Claims24
An electrochemical cell comprising:
- an anolyte compartment capable of housing a quantity of anolyte, the anolyte comprising a quantity of an alkali metal salt of a carboxylic acid, wherein the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid has at least one functional group in addition to the carboxylic acid moiety;
- an anode in communication with the anolyte;
- a catholyte compartment capable of housing a quantity of catholyte;
- a cathode in communication with the catholyte;
- an alkali ion conducting membrane;
- and
- a voltage source, wherein the voltage source decarboxylates the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid into alkyl radicals that react to form a coupled radical product, wherein the coupled radical product has at least two functional groups.
A method for producing a coupled radical product having at least two functional groups comprising:
- obtaining an alkali metal salt of a carboxylic acid has at least one functional group in addition to the carboxylic acid moiety, wherein the functional group consists of halide groups, sulfide groups, hydroxyl groups, amine groups, amide groups, and ether groups
- decarboxylating the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid into alkyl radicals that react to form a coupled radical product, wherein the coupled radical product has at least two of the functional groups.
An electrochemical cell comprising:
- an anolyte comprising a quantity of an alkali metal salt of a carboxylic acid, wherein the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid has at least one functional group in addition to the carboxylic acid moiety;
- an anode in communication with the anolyte;
- a catholyte;
- a cathode in communication with the catholyte;
- a voltage source, wherein the voltage source decarboxylates the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid into alkyl radicals that react to form a coupled radical product, wherein the coupled radical product has at least two functional groups.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.