SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING NITRILES
An aspect of the present disclosure is a method that includes a first reacting a molecule from at least one of a carboxylic acid, an ester of a carboxylic acid, and/or an anhydride with ammonia to form a nitrile, where the first reacting is catalyzed using an acid catalyst. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the molecule may include at least one of acetic acid, lactic acid, and/or 3-hydroxyproprionic acid (3-HPA). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the molecule may include at least one of methyl acetate, ethyl lactate, and/or ethyl 3-hydroxypropanoate (ethyl 3-HP). In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the anhydride may be acetic anhydride.
1 - 24 . (canceled)
25 . A nitrile produced by a process comprising:
reacting a molecule comprising at least one of a carboxylic acid, an ester of a carboxylic acid, or an anhydride with ammonia to form the nitrile, wherein:
the reacting is catalyzed using an acid catalyst, and
the molecule is at least partially bioderived.
26 . The nitrile of claim 25 , wherein the molecule comprises at least one of acetic acid, lactic acid, or 3-hydroxyproprionic acid.
27 . The nitrile of claim 25 , wherein the molecule comprises at least one of methyl acetate, ethyl lactate, or ethyl 3-hydroxypropanoate.
28 . The nitrile of claim 25 , wherein the anhydride is acetic anhydride.
29 . The nitrile of claim 25 , wherein:
the nitrile comprises
and
R 1 comprises at least one of an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a phenyl group, a carbonyl group, an aldehyde group, a carbonate group, a carboxylic acid group, or an ester group.
30 . The nitrile of claim 29 , wherein R 1 is a vinyl group and the nitrile is acrylonitrile.
31 . The nitrile of claim 29 , wherein R 1 is a methyl group and the nitrile is acetonitrile.
32 . The nitrile of claim 25 , wherein:
the molecule is the ester of a carboxylic acid,
prior to the first reacting, a second reacting of the carboxylic acid with an alcohol to produce the molecule and water, and
the second reacting regenerates the alcohol.
33 . The nitrile of claim 25 , wherein the nitrile is acrylonitrile.
35 . The nitrile of claim 25 , wherein the nitrile is acetonitrile.
36 . The nitrile of claim 25 , wherein the acid catalyst comprises TiO 2 .