CATALYSTS AND PROCESSES FOR THE PHOTOCHEMICAL DECARBOXYLATION OF .alpha.-HYDROXY CARBOXYLIC ACIDS

摘要

ABSTRACTAlpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids, such as lactic acidand mandelic acid, are photochemically converted to form highyields of the corresponding alcohol by irradiating a solutioncontaining the alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acid in contact withthe semiconductor catalyst material. The semiconductorcatalyst material is preferably a metal titanium oxide. Thephotochemical reaction may be carried out over a wide range oftemperatures and pressures and in an oxidative or inertatmosphere.