Efficient and selective conversion of lactic acid into acetaldehyde using a mesoporous aluminum phosphate catalyst

Abstract

Although acetaldehyde is a very important compound and has been utilized as a useful synthon for various important chemicals, it has been synthesized in industry through a petroleum route until now. Herein, we have successfully developed a sustainable route using a heterogeneous catalyst. In the presence of mesoporous aluminum phosphate (MAP3), the decarbonylation reaction of lactic acid proceeded efficiently, with 100% lactic acid conversion and ∼92% acetaldehyde selectivity. The catalyst shows high stability for at least 248 h. The unprecedented catalytic performance is due to rich medium acidic sites existing on the catalyst surface.