Conversion of sugar, sugar alcohol, or glycerol to valuable chemicals using a promoted zirconium oxide supported catalyst
US8859828B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 2010 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/52
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for converting a sugar, sugar alcohol, or glycerol to a valuable chemical is described. The process may use a support comprising zirconium oxide promoted by a polyacid or promoter material. A catalytically active metal may be impregnated on the polyacid-promoted zirconium oxide support and the catalyst may then be introduced the sugar, sugar alcohol, or glycerol a source of hydrogen under reaction conditions. At least 40 wt % of the sugar, sugar alcohol or glycerol may be converted to a polyol and/or a shorter carbon-chain alcohol that may include at least one of propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerin, methanol, ethanol, propanol and butandiols. Specific processes for converting glycerin having a selectivity for propylene glycol and for converting sorbitol with a selectivity for propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and/or glycerin are also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.