Production of specialist chemicals from bio-based short-chain fermentation products

Due to the raw material shift from fossil to bio-based and renewable resources Fraunhofer UMSICHT developed a heterogeneous catalyzed process to synthesize value-added chemicals via a selective coupling reaction from short-chain alcohols and ketones. Suitable reactants are i.e. acetone and 2-methyl-1-propanol from fermentations. The coupling reaction of the reactants leads to a chain-elongated symmetric branched ketone which provides a novel platform for alcohols and alkanes. These chemicals can be used as substitution for petrochemicals in establishes synthesis and applications like solvents, cutting or drilling oils and surfactant synthesis. The process shows excellent performance as high conversions and outstanding yields to the desired products are reached.