Catalytic synthesis of niacin from 3-methyl-pyridine and 30%H₂O₂ by Cu-based zeolite

Abstract

Niacin is well known not only as vitamin B3 but also as an important chemical, and has wide applications in the fields of food, farming, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and industry. With the rapid development of human society, the requirement for niacin has been increasing constantly worldwide. Meanwhile, development of green routes to produce niacin under mild conditions has become particularly urgent to substitute the conventional reaction process with the consideration of energy conservation and emission reduction. Among various synthesis routes of niacin, selective oxidation of 3-methyl-pyridine and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the liquid phase has become the focus of research due to its distinct advantages, such as mild reaction conditions, environmentally friendly reaction processes, and so on. Herein, zeolite-based catalysts have been first applied in the liquid phase synthesis of niacin from 3-methyl-pyridine and 30%H2O2 under mild reaction conditions. In addition, Cu-based 13X zeolite is found to show the highest catalytic performance, and optimal catalytic reaction systems have been established. This work provides a green and optional route for the synthesis of niacin.