Selective conversion of dihydroxyacetone–ethanol mixture into ethyl lactate over amphoteric ZrO2–TiO2 catalyst

• 90% ethyl lactate yield was obtained at 140 °C over amphoteric ZrO2–TiO2 catalyst.
• Lactic acid is a co-product.

The conversion of dihydroxyacetone in ethanol solution into ethyl lactate over several acidic and amphoteric oxides at 100–160 °C was studied. The formation of ethyl lactate with 80–90% selectivity was observed on amphoteric ZrO2–TiO2 oxide whereas hemiacetal and acetal of pyruval were the main products obtained over the acidic ZrO2–SiO2 catalyst and Amberlyst 15. Amphoteric ZrO2–3TiO2 oxide provides 89% yield of ethyl lactate at 140 °C and 1.0 MPa under the feed rate of 4 mmol C3H6O3/gcat/h.

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