| abstract |
Isobutene, isoprene, and butadiene are obtained from mixtures of C 4 and/or C 5 olefins by dehydrogenation. The C 4 and/or C 5 olefins can be obtained by dehydration of C 4 and C 5 alcohols, for example, renewable C 4 and C 5 alcohols prepared from biomass by thermochemical or fermentation processes. Isoprene or butadiene can be polymerized to form polymers such as polyisoprene, polybutadiene, synthetic rubbers such as butyl rubber, etc. in addition, butadiene can be converted to monomers such as methyl methacrylate, adipic acid, adiponitrile, 1,4-butadiene, etc. which can then be polymerized to form nylons, polyesters, polymethylmethacrylate etc. |