Analyses of the Synergy of Sub/Supercritical H2O-CO2 System for Synthesis of Green Platform Chemicals

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17KK0118
• Research Category: Fund for the Promotion of Joint International Research (Fostering Joint International Research)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Reaction engineering/Process system
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: QUITAIN ARMANDO 熊本大学, 大学教育統括管理運営機構, 教授 (50504693)
• Project Period (FY): 2018 – 2023
• Keywords: hydrolysis / deamination / glucose / sugars / bioflavonoids / 5-HMF / supercritical CO2 / CO2 reduction

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Removal of the sugar moieties covalently linked with aglycones in natural bioactive compounds by hydrolysis are gaining popularity for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. In our KAKENHI root research project, we addressed the drawbacks of the conventional method by employing the synergy of subcritical H2O and supercritical CO2 for the simultaneous reaction and separation processes. In this international joint research project, we were able to monitor the in-situ reaction taking place in scCO2-subH2O system, showing the interfacial layer between the scCO2 and subH2O phases to be highly acidic. This likely caused the selective cleavage of the glycosidic bond between the rutinose and hesperetin aglycone. Further analysis was extended to elucidate reaction kinetics and mechanism, and by performing density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the cleavage of glycosidc bonds. The analysis was extended to many important model reactions related to biomass valorization.

Free Research Field

化学工学,　超臨界流体、水熱、バイオマス

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

この研究成果は、地球温暖化の主な原因であるCO2をH2Oと結合させるだけで、負債から資産に変えることができる。この混合物のユニークな特性は、溶媒や触媒として、幸福や健康を支え、カーボン・ネガティブ社会の実現に役立つ多くの重要な反応に役立つ。この国際共同研究プロジェクトは、合計8名の大学院生の移動を促し、日本社会の将来のリーダーへのグローバルマインドを育成し、日欧の連携と協力を強化した。