• CSIR - Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute
  • G20
Bio-based Fuels & Chemicals (other than seaweeds)

Title of Process/ Know-how/ Product/Design/Equipment

Arylated γ-valerolactones (Agvls), 4-keto esters and 4,4-diaromatic substituted pentanoic acid and its esters by catalytic organic transformations of levulinic acid with aromatics

  • IPR
    IPR Status & Details:
  • IN 201611023585
Application/Uses/Problem being addressed
  • Arylated γ-valerolactones (Agvls) moieties mainly used in agro-chemical and pharmaceutical industry
  • 4-keto esters moieties act as a chemical intermediate for preparation of 1,4-dikotones
  • 4,4-diaromatic substituted pentanoic acid and its esters have excellent scope in polymer industry
    • Salient Technical Features including Competing Features/ Impact

    Various Agvls prepared from LA along with different aromatics such six membered (alkoxy/thio) and five membered (Thiophene and 2-methylthiophene) 4-keto ester (phenyl 4-oxopentanoate) prepared from LA with phenol 4,4-diaromatic substituted pentanoic acid and its esters prepared from LA and its esters with 2-methylthiophene

  • Mild reaction conditions (85-150 °C)
  • Reactions under open atmosphere
  • Good conversion and yields
  • Use of recyclable heterogeneous catalysts
  • Use of excess aromatic in the reaction medium that acts as solvent and enhance the kinetics of the reaction with excellent selectivity that could be recycled
  • Good chemo- and regio- selectivity for the preparation of Agvls.
  • Good selectivity (>95%) for the preparation of 4,4-diaromatic substituted pentanoic acid along with total conversion of levulinic acid (LA)
  • The prepared products of LA have structural accessibility to develop applications in the field of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and fuel industry.
    • TRL Level & Scale of Development:
    TRL 3
    • Agvls tested at 10 g scale and showed good conversion/selectivity
    • 4,4-diaromatic substituted pentanoic acid (here aromatic 2-methylthiophene) is demonstrated at 25 g scale with 94% yield
    Business scope & opportunity (in terms of scale, cost, market etc.):

    4,4-diaromatic substituted pentanoic acid and its esters have excellent plasticizing ability and is potential alternative for commercially available DOP and BPA.

    Environmental Considerations:
    • The invention process is eco-friendly
    • All the reactions conducted under neat conditions
    • Excess used aromatics recycled/reused
    Status of Licensing:
    Not yet licensed
    Status of Commercialization:
    Not applicable
    Major Raw Materials Needed

    Levulinic acid

    Aromatic compounds

    Major Plant Equipment and Machinery Required
    • Glass reactor with condensing assembly
    • Distillation assembly (for separation of the products) or preparative flash chromatography
    Techno-Economics

    Tentative Price:

    LA: ₹350/Kg; Aromatics: ₹100-500/Kg

    Products: ₹1000-3000/Kg (depending on the usage/field)

    Technology Package

    Know-how for processes of arylated LA derivatives; Demonstration of the processes; Equipment necessary for pilot scale; License fee, royalty and other financial details are available on request.