Patent ID: 9024060
Filing Date: 2015-05-05
Classification: C07C,C08G

Abstract:
1. A process of making a polymer from a bio-based terephthalic acid composition, the process comprising: (a) providing a biomass comprising limonene; (b) converting the limonene to para-cymene at a yield of at least 95%; and (c) converting the para-cymene to terephthalic acid at a total yield of at least 85% by oxidation in a two-step oxidation comprising: the oxidation being performed substantially in the absence of chromium oxide; (d) converting the bio-based terephthalic acid with methanol selected from the group consisting of bio-based methanol, petroleum based methanol, and combinations thereof to provide bio-based dimethyl terephthalate; wherein the bio-based terephthalic acid has a mean bio-based content of at least 95%; and wherein the biomass is a biological material which excludes organic material that has been transformed by geological processes into a member selected from the group consisting of petroleum, petrochemicals, and combinations thereof; and (e) converting the bio-based dimethyl terephthalate of Formula II to a bio-based poly(alkylene terephthalate) of Formula III by reacting the bio-based dimethyl terephthalate with a diol of the formula: wherein wherein the bio-based poly(alkylene terephthalate) has a mean bio-based content of at least 5%.