Renewables-Based Routes to Paracetamol: A Green Chemistry Analysis

Abstract

Three potential routes for paracetamol synthesis from renewable phenol feedstock were examined and compared to each other and existing industrial routes with respect to Green Chemistry metrics and industrial viability. The routes tested were the acetamidation of hydroquinone, the imination and reduction of benzoquinone, and the hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol. The hydroquinone and benzoquinone routes suffered from poor conversion and selectivity. The 4-nitrophenol route achieved good conversion, yield, and Green Chemistry metrics and is the most industrially viable of the three routes. When compared to existing routes, the 4-nitrophenol route is comparable or superior in terms of reactor metrics, Green Chemistry considerations, and raw material costs.