Glycolate synthesis

A. J. Brazier, M. D. Lilly, and A. B. Herbert, Toluene cis-glycol synthesis by Pseudomonas putida kinetic data for reador evaluation, Enzyme Microb. Technol. 1990, 12, 90-94. 

Stein E, Kienle A, Esparta ARJ, Mohl KD, Gilles ED. Optimization of a reactor network for ethylene glycol synthesis—an algorithmic approach. Comp Chem Eng 1999 23 903-906. 

Fahey discusses free formaldehyde as an intermediate in the ethylene glycol synthesis [68]. 

The formation of formaldehyde from synthesis gas is a thermodynamically unfavourable process. While this limitation precludes formaldehyde from being a significant reaction product, it does not forbid its presence tn kinettcally significant amounts, followed by its participation as a reaction intermediate. Oxygenated products can easily be deiived by this route (see glycol synthesis). 

Reductive dimerization of formaldehyde has. however, also been proposed to explain ethylene glycol synthesis [12]. The formation of formyl species might be considered as a key step, at least under special conditions, despite the unfavourable thermodynamics. The reaction is an endothermic process at room temperature [45] and the direct insertion of CO into a metal-hydrogen bond has never been observed. 

Table 7.1.1 Thermodynamic Properties for Proplyene Glycol Synthesis...

Fu J, Krauland E, Har-el Y, Hanes J. Biodegradable cationic poly(aspartic anhydride-co-ethylene glycol) Synthesis, characterization, and self-assembly with plasmid DNA, submitted to Macromolecules. 

Use Intermediate for rubber antioxidants and accelerators, for neopentyl glycol synthesis of amino acids, cellulose esters, flavors, etc. 

Ethylene glycol synthesis by hydration of ethylene oxide (Fig. 7.6)... 

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