Sustainable p-cymene and hydrogen from limonene

A fine chemical intermediate in a wide range of chemical processes, p-cymene, has been obtained from Limonene, solids based on a natural clay (sepiolite) modified with sodium, nickel, iron or manganese oxides and programmable focalised microwaves. The process has the added bonus of one mol of hydrogen being produced per mol of limonene converted to p-cymene.

Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (43 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ p-Cymene, widely used fine chemical intermediate, is obtained from limonene (renewable waste). ▶ Catalysts are based on natural clay modified with Na, Ni, Fe or Mn oxides. ▶ Programmable focalised microwaves are designed to obtain best performance. ▶ One mol of hydrogen is produced per mol of limonene converted to p-cymene. ▶ In this work, both p-cymene and hydrogen produced are renewable.