Miller, Dennis J., Dushyant Shekhawat, Kirthivasan Nagarajan, James E. Jackson. AN ENVIRONMENTALLY BENIGN PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ITACONIC ACID FROM SUCCINATES
Department of Chemical Engineering, 2527 Engineering Bldg., Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 (millerd@egr.msu.edu)
A new process for the chemical production of itaconic acid from fermentation-derived succinic acid has been developed. The primary reaction chemistry is the condensation of dialkyl succinate esters with formaldehyde to form citraconic anhydride. This reaction takes place in the vapor phase over a weakly acidic metal oxide catalyst such as alumina. The catalytic reactor has been optimized to give selectivity to citraconic anhydride as high as 80%. Following its formation, citraconic anhydride is hydrolyzed and then isomerized to itaconic acid. The product is recovered by crystallization and unreacted succinic acid is recycled to the reactor inlet. No organic solvents are used in the process, and all formaldehyde fed is ultimately consumed. An economic evaluation of the process indicates that it has potential to compete with the current fungal fermentation process for itaconic acid, thus leading to reduced cost and expanded markets for this bio-based material.