Preparation of lactic acid from glucose in ionic liquid solvent system

A new reaction system was designed to economically convert glucose to lactic acid environment-friendly. Hydrophobic ionic liquids were chosen as solvent that can promote the decomposition reaction of glucose, and the catalytic performance of the solid bases was evaluated. Both the reaction temperature and time can affect the yield of lactic acid. A high yield (97%) of lactic acid was achieved under the optimal reaction condition. The H-1 NMR spectra and HPLC-MS were used to identify the formation of the lactic acid and variations of ionic liquid. It is found that ionic-liquids have a unique solvent effect for glucose and bases. Water can be used as solvent to extract calcium lactate. This shows a great potential of hydrophobic ionic liquids in the solid bases catalyzed reaction that is limited by the weak solubility of solid bases in organic and water solution.