Methods of producing para-xylene

US8889938B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MICROMIDAS, INC. · US

Inventors

• Makoto N. Masuno · Elk Grove, US
• Patrick B. Smith · Midland, US
• Dennis A. Hucul · Midland, US
• Katherine Brune · Goleta, US
• Ryan L. Smith · Sacramento, US
• John Bissell · Sacramento, US
• Dimitri A. Hirsch-Weil · Sacramento, US
• Edmund J. Stark · Midland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 15, 2013
• Grant date: Nov 18, 2014
• Expiry date: Mar 15, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C2531/22
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods to produce para-xylene, toluene, and other compounds from renewable sources (e.g., cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, sugar) and ethylene in the presence of a catalyst. For example, cellulose and/or hemicellulose may be converted into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), which may be converted into para-xylene by cycloaddition of ethylene to DMF. Para-xylene can then be oxidized to form terephthalic acid.