Dissertation
Development of homogeneous catalysts for the selective conversion of levulinic acid to caprolactam
Promotors: Prof.dr. E. Bouwman, Prof.dr. E. Drent
- Author
- S. Raoufmoghaddam
- Date
- 17 December 2013
- Links
- Thesis in Leiden Repository
The aim of this thesis is to introduce the readers to the importance of bio-based products and their potential applications in chemical industries. Alternative routes to the widely used nylon precursor caprolactam are discussed and compared with the current fossil-based synthesis. Furthermore, the aim of the research - the development of a novel synthesis route to caprolactam based on biomass - is reported; the envisaged reaction sequence includes the development of new catalytic chemistry, namely reductive amidation and hydroamidomethylation.