Process to obtain 3-phenylpropan-1-ol from natural sources

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for the manufacturing of 3-phenylpropan-1-ol, from nature derived starting material, wherein said nature derived starting material comprises not less than 80 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the process, which further comprises the steps: a) conversion of cinnamaldehyde as starting material to 3-phenylpropan-1-ol by a catalytic hydrogenation; b) optional purification of the 3-phenylpropan-1-ol by alkaline water extraction; c) distillation of 3-phenylpropan-1-ol. In a third aspect the present invention relates to use of 3-phenylpropan-1-ol obtained by the process of the invention in perfumes and/or personal care and/or cleaning products.

1 . Process for manufacturing of 3-phenylpropan-l-ol from nature derived starting material, wherein said nature derived starting material comprises not less than 80 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde. 
     
     
         2 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein said nature derived starting material comprises not less than 90 wt.% of cinnamaldehyde. 
     
     
         3 . Process according to  claim 1 , wherein said nature derived starting material is essential oil or essential oil concentrate obtained from Cinnamon bark, Cassia bark, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . Process according to  claim 15 , wherein said nature derived starting material is essential oil concentrate obtained from Cinnamon bark, Cassia bark, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . Process according to  claim 1 , which further comprises the steps:
 a) conversion of cinnamaldehyde in starting material to 3-phenylpropan-l-ol by a catalytic hydrogenation;   b) optional purification of the 3-phenylpropan-l-ol by alkaline water extraction;   c) distillation of 3-phenylpropan-l-ol.   
     
     
         6 . Process according to  claim 5 , wherein the step a) the catalytic hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of a nickel catalyst. 
     
     
         7 . Process according to  claim 5 , wherein the step a) the catalytic hydrogenation is carried out under a hydrogen pressure of between 1 bar and 100 bar. 
     
     
         8 . Process according to  claim 5 , whereby the step a) yields max. 0.5 % cinnamaldehyde and/or max. 0.5% cinnamyl alcohol and/or max. 0.5% 3-phenylpropionaldehyde and/or max. 0.5% 3-cyclohexylpropan-l-ol. 
     
     
         9 . Process according to  claim 5 , wherein the step b) occurs and is carried out by extracting with alkaline water solution with optional addition of an organic solvent. 
     
     
         10 . Process according to  claim 9 , wherein said alkaline water solution is obtained by adding of a base selected from at least one alkali or earth alkali hydroxide to water. 
     
     
         11 . Process according to  claim 9 , wherein said organic solvent is selected from heptane, toluene, tert-butyl methyl ether, 4-methyl tetrahydrofuran, or some combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . Process according to  claim 5 , whereby the step c) allows obtaining 3-phenylpropan-l-ol of a purity of not less than 95 wt.%. 
     
     
         13 . Process according to  claim 1 , whereby the obtained 3-phenylpropan-l-ol is free of fragrance allergens listed in Annex III of the European Cosmetic Regulation. 
     
     
         14 . Process according to  claim 1 , whereby the obtained 3-phenylpropan-l-ol has an odor comparable to 3-phenylpropan-l-ol produced from petrochemical raw materials. 
     
     
         15 . Use of 3-phenylpropan-l-ol, obtained by a process according to  claim 5  in perfumes and/or personal care and/or cleaning products. 
     
     
         16 . Use of 3-phenylpropan-l-ol, obtained by a process according to  claim 5  in perfumes and/or personal care and/or cleaning products, whereas said perfumes and/or personal care and/or cleaning products are self-preserved due to the presence of nature-derived 3-phenylpropan-l-ol.