Fossil-derived acrylic acid (petro-AA), produced today from propylene oxidation via a 2-step process, is used primarily in superabsorbent polymers (SAP), adhesives, and coatings. Procter & Gamble (P&G) and partners recently developed two chemical processes to produce bio-AA via LA dehydration in one step and with the highest ever reported yield and selectivity, and long catalyst longevity. The first process, developed by P&G and partners, is a heterogeneous gas-phase dehydration of LA that occurs over an amorphous and partially-dehydrated polyphosphate catalyst MH2(1-x)PO(4-x), and requires a minimum level of water partial pressure. The bio-AA yield and selectivity achieved are 85 - 90 mol%, and bio-SAP made from this bio-AA had the same performance as incumbent petro-SAP. The second process, developed by FAU and P&G, is a homogeneous and nucleophile-assisted dehydration of LA derivatives in liquid phase and mild temperature with a molten salt catalyst that includes a phosphonium ionic liquid (e.g. [PBu4]Br) and a bromide source (e.g. MgBr2). The yield and selectivity achieved in the liquid phase are 80 - 84 mol%. Compared to the petro-AA process, both processes emit less greenhouse gases, use less non-renewable energy, and are expected to have lower production costs long term.

Renewable superabsorbent polymers (bio-SAP) enabled by renewable acrylic acid (bio-AA), produced via the dehydration of lactic acid or its derivatives

2019 Fall National Meeting

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