Catalytic amination of lactic acid using Ru-zeolites.

In this work we investigate the synthesis of alanine from lactic acid, a biobased platform chemical, using ammonia as a nitrogen source and Ru/zeolite catalysts. We report a high alanine selectivity when using Ru/BEA of 80-93%. Reaction side products were identified as ethanol, propionic acid or propanamide and the reaction mechanism was investigated.

Quali-quantitative monitoring of chemocatalytic cellulose conversion into lactic acid by FT-NIR spectroscopy.

Chemocatalytic conversion of cellulose into lactic acid is a valuable alternative to simple sugar fermentation. Nevertheless, the procedures still need optimization to be translated to the industrial scale. Such translation would benefit by on-line monitoring of reaction parameters by fast, inexpensive, direct spectroscopic techniques.

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent as Extraction Media for the Main Phenolic Compounds from Olive Oil Processing Wastes.

In this new century, sustainable development challenges chemical sciences to develop new and clean technological processes. The agri-food industry produces significant quantities of waste, raising significant economic and environmental concerns. Food waste valorization using environmentally friendly procedures is of increasing importance.

Combined Ultrasound/Microwave Chemocatalytic Method for Selective Conversion of Cellulose into Lactic Acid.

Cellulose is the main component of lignocellulosic biomass. Its direct chemocatalytic conversion into lactic acid (LA), a powerful biobased chemical platform, represents an important, and more easily scalable alternative to the fermentative way. In this paper, we present the selective hydrothermal conversion of cellulose and simple sugars into LA, under mild reaction conditions in presence of ErCl grafted on the mesoporous silica (MCM-41) surface.