Ru/C-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Aqueous Glycolic Acid from Microalgae - Influence of pH and Biologically Relevant Additives.

ABSTRACT: Ethylene glycol (EG) is obtained by a novel, two-step approach combining a biotechnological and a heterogeneously catalyzed step. First, microalgae are cultivated to photobiocatalytically yield glycolic acid (GA) by means of photosynthesis from CO₂ and water. GA is continuously excreted into the surrounding medium. In the second step, the GA-containing algal medium is used as feedstock for catalytic reduction with H₂ to EG over a Ru/C catalyst. The present study focuses on the conversion of an authentic algae-derived GA solution. After identification of the key characteristics of the algal medium (compared to pure aqueous GA), the influence of pH, numerous salt additives, pH buffers and other relevant organic molecules on the catalytic GA reduction was investigated. N

SUBMITTER: Harth FM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9278103 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature