Catalysts process engineering/product recover

Genetically engineered E. coll has been used to convert glucose from corn into succinic acid (20-50 g/L).211 Succinic acid can be converted, in turn, by known methods into 1,4-butanediol, tetrahydrofuran, and /V-methylpyrrolidone, all of which are valuable commercial chemicals. The process for succinic acid is said to be 20-50% cheaper than other routes. A full-scale plant is planned. Glycolic acid can be oxidized to glyoxylic acid microbially in 85% yield.212 The catalyst could be recovered and reused 30 times. The product was used to prepare 7V-(phospho-nomethyl)glycine (9.22) (an herbicide known as gly-phosate). 

---