• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.165-170
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• 2017

An efficient synthetic process for bio-based adipic acid, a monomer for nylon 66, was developed from galactose. Galactaric acid, prepared from a mild oxidation of galactose using a Pt catalyst, was successfully converted to muconate, a key intermediate for adipic acid, by an efficient microwave-assisted DODH (deoxydehydration) reaction. The high efficiency of the microwave-assisted reaction greatly reduced the overall reaction time to 30 min. and resulted in an excellent yield of 97% of muconate. The catalytic hydrogenation of muconate followed by the acidic hydrolysis successfully produced the desired adipic acid in high purity after recrystallization.