Levulinic Acid

property

White flake hygroscopic crystals. Soluble in water and alcohol, ether and other most organic solvents. Atmospheric distillation almost does not decompose, but long time heating occurs when water loss into unsaturated pentannelactones, α-angelica lactone and β-angelica lactone. Flammable; Low toxicity.

preparation

1. Cellulose residue or waste potato residue after furfural production from corn cob or cottonseed shell is hydrolyzed by hydrochloric acid heating (> 150°C) under pressure (350 ~ 600kPa). After the reaction, levulinic acid was obtained by filtration and vacuum distillation.

2. Furfuryl alcohol is prepared by pressure hydrolysis in the presence of hydrochloric acid.

use

Used as intermediates in organic synthesis, the products produced by it can be used as flavors (low esters), drugs (calcium levulinate), resin precursors (bisphenol acid), coatings, inks, surfactants, rubber and plastic additives, pesticides, plant hormones and dyes.