METHODS FOR ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION OF ERYTHROSE OR ERYTHRITOL Russian patent published in 2011 - IPC C25B3/02 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to an electrolytic method of producing erythrose, meant for chemical synthesis of erythritol - a natural polyol sugar substitute, which has a sweet taste, approximately 60-80% saccharose, is not bad for teeth, does not have carcinogenicity and is characterised by good processing properties. The method of producing erythrose involves a step for electrolytic decarboxylation of ribonic or arabinic acid which is pre-neutralised approximately from 10% to 100%. The acid can be obtained from suitable hexose sugar such as allose, altrose, glucose, fructose or mannose, and can be neutralised by mixing with water, methanol, ethanol, propanol, dioxane and acetonitrile. The obtained erythrose is hydrogenated to obtain erythritol. Decarboxylation of the acid in the solution is carried out by bringing the acid in the solution into contact with an anode which contains graphite.

EFFECT: high efficiency of the method of producing erythrose as a product of the step for electrolytic decarboxylation of ribonic or arabinic acid followed by conversion of erythrose to erythritol using any suitable reduction or hydrogenation reaction.

17 cl, 5 tbl, 3 dwg