transformation-of-organic-household-leftovers-into-a-peat-substitute

Transformation of Organic Household Leftovers into a Peat Substitute

A two-step procedure is described for the synthesis of a carbon material with a similar composition and properties as peat. The produced hydrochar is made ...

Universitat Politècnica de València-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientÍficas

High-quality diesel from hexose- and pentose-derived biomass platform molecules.

For the reaction mechanism of the ketonic decarboxylation of two carboxylic acids, a β-keto acid is favored as key intermediate in many experimental and theoretical studies. Hydrogen atoms in the α-position are an indispensable requirement for the substrates to react by following this mechanism. However, isolated observations with tertiary carboxylic acids are not consistent with it and these are revisited and discussed herein. The experimental results obtained with pivalic acid indicate that the ketonic decarboxylation does not occur with this substrate. Instead, it is consumed in alternative reactions such as disintegration into isobutene, carbon monoxide, and water (retro-Koch reaction). In addition, the carboxylic acid is isomerized or loses carbon atoms, which converts the tertiary carboxylic acid into carboxylic acids bearing α-proton atoms. Hence, the latter are suitable to react through the β-keto acid pathway. A second substrate, 2,2,5,5-tetramethyladipic acid, reacted by following the same retro-Koch pathway. The primary product was the monocarboxylic acid 2,2,5-trimethyl-4-hexenoic acid (and its double bond isomer), which might be further transformed into a cyclic enone or a lactone. The ketonic decarboxylation product, 2,2,5,5-tetramethylcyclopentanone was observed in traces (<0.2 % yield). Therefore, it can be concluded that the observed experimental results further support the proposed mechanism for the ketonic decarboxylation via the β-keto acid intermediate.

Michael Renz

Instituto de TecnologÍa QuÍmica (UPV-CSIC)

Universitat Politècnica de València-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientÍficas

Transformation of Organic Household Leftovers into a Peat Substitute

Michael Renz

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Universitat Politècnica de València-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientÍficas

Transformation of Organic Household Leftovers into a Peat Substitute

Instituto de TecnologÍa QuÍmica (UPV-CSIC)