Renewables-Based\nRoutes to Paracetamol: A Green Chemistry\nAnalysis

Three potential routes for paracetamol synthesis from\nrenewable\nphenol feedstock were examined and compared to each other and existing\nindustrial routes with respect to Green Chemistry metrics and industrial\nviability. The routes tested were the acetamidation of hydroquinone,\nthe imination and reduction of benzoquinone, and the hydrogenation\nof 4-nitrophenol. The hydroquinone and benzoquinone routes suffered\nfrom poor conversion and selectivity. The 4-nitrophenol route achieved\ngood conversion, yield, and Green Chemistry metrics and is the most\nindustrially viable of the three routes. When compared to existing\nroutes, the 4-nitrophenol route is comparable or superior in terms\nof reactor metrics, Green Chemistry considerations, and raw material\ncosts.