Bio‐Based Nitriles from the Heterogeneously Catalyzed Oxidative Decarboxylation of Amino Acids

• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201402801
• Publication Date: 2014-12-04T11:51:01Z
• Authors: Laurens Claes; Roman Matthessen; Ine Rombouts; Ivo Stassen; Trees De Baerdema...; Diederik Depla; Jan A. Delcour; Bert Lagrain; Dirk E. De Vos
• Keywords: Decarboxylation; Oxidative decarboxylation; Amide

Abstract The oxidative decarboxylation of amino acids to nitriles was achieved in aqueous solution by situ halide oxidation using catalytic amounts tungstate exchanged on a [Ni,Al] layered double hydroxide (LDH), NH 4 Br, and H 2 O as the terminal oxidant. Both were facilitated proximity effects between reactants LDH catalyst. A wide range converted with high yields, often >90 %. nitrile selectivity excellent, system is compatible amide, alcohol, particular carboxylic acid, amine, guanidine functional groups after appropriate neutralization. This heterogeneous applied successfully convert protein‐rich byproduct from starch industry into useful bio‐based N‐containing chemicals.