Effects of Ammonium Lactate on 2,3-Pentanedione Formation from Lactic Acid

Abstract

Ammonia is often used for pH adjustment during fermentation of glucose to lactic acid. Its presence as ammonium lactate in the catalytic upgrading of lactic acid to 2,3-pentanedione over CsOH/silica reduces diketone yields to nearly zero at high ammonia levels. Removal of ammonia from the feed restores 2,3-pentanedione yield, indicating that the catalyst itself is not poisoned by ammonia. Instead, 2,3-pentanedione continues to form in the presence of ammonia and is consumed in secondary reactions downstream of the catalyst bed. Both base-catalyzed self-condensation of 2,3-pentanedione to duroquinone (and oligomeric species) and direct reaction of ammonia with the diketone are observed.