Continuous Dihydrolevoglucosenone Recovery Using Commercial Membrane Technology

Cyrene, or dihydrolevoglucosenone (DHL), is a biobased and biodegradable solvent that can be produced in two steps from cellulose. It has properties similar to dipolar aprotic solvents such as NMP and DMF, both of which raise significant concerns regarding environmental and human health. As such, dihydrolevoglucosenone offers a promising alternative. The use of this sustainable solvent enhances the environmental profile of chemical reactions. However, target compounds synthesized in dihydrolevoglucosenone are mainly purified using an aqueous workup, leading mostly to the disposal of DHL in an aqueous waste stream. This study focuses on recovering dihydrolevoglucosenone through back-extraction processes.