Synthesis of acrylates and methacrylates from coal-derived syngas
- Bechtel, San Francisco, CA (United States); and others
Acrylates and methacrylates are among the most widely used chemical intermediates in the world. One of the key chemicals of this type is methyl methacrylate. Of the 4 billion pounds produced each year, roughly 85% is made using the acetone-cyanohydrin process, which requires handling of large quantities of hydrogen cyanide and produces ammonium sulfate wastes that pose an environmental disposal challenge. The U.S. Department of Energy and Eastman Chemical Company are sharing the cost of research to develop an alternative process for the synthesis of methyl methacrylate from syngas. Research Triangle Institute is focusing on the synthesis and testing of active catalysts for the condensation reactions, and Bechtel is analyzing the costs to determine the competitiveness of several process alternatives. Results thus far show that the catalysts for the condensation of formaldehyde and the propionate are key to selectively producing the desired product, methacrylic acid, with a high yield. These condensation catalysts have both acid and base functions and the strength and distribution of these acid-base sites controls the product selectivity and yield.
- Research Organization:
- USDOE Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center (PETC), PA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-94PC94065
- OSTI ID:
- 198272
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9508133-; ON: DE96001664; TRN: 95:008316-0027
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Coal liquefaction and gas conversion contractor review meeting, Pittsburgh, PA (United States), 29-31 Aug 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]; Related Information: Is Part Of Coal liquefaction and gas conversion contractors review conference: Proceedings; PB: 733 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Synthesis of acrylates and Methacrylates from Coal-Derived Syngas
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