Stable catalysis of neutral silica-supported potassium lactate for vapour-phase dehydration of lactic acid to acrylic acid – critical role of the support

Stable catalysis by potassium lactate for the vapour-phase dehydration of lactic acid to acrylic acid occurs over neutral KNO 3 /silica. Lactic acid is deemed to act both as the reactant and Brønsted acid that assists in the catalytic process in the absence of extra acid.