Adipic Acid Production via Chemocatalytic Hydrodeoxygenation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in converting biorenewable resources, such as carbohydrates, into commodity and specialty chemicals like adipic acid lies in the selective removal of oxygen atoms, which has not been efficiently addressed by existing processes.
Innovation Solution
A chemocatalytic process involving the hydrodeoxygenation of glucose-derived substrates using a platinum or platinum-rhodium catalyst in the presence of bromine and acetic acid solvent, followed by purification techniques, to produce adipic acid and related industrial chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If biorenewable resources are used as feedstock to produce adipic acid, then sustainability and renewable material usage are improved, but the selective removal of oxygen atoms becomes significantly more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The oxygen removal process is divided into multiple sequential steps: initial oxidation to convert carbohydrates to intermediate compounds, followed by a second oxidation step to produce adipic acid. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, making the overall process more manageable and efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate compounds (such as dicarboxylic acids and keto acids) as mediators in the conversion process. These intermediates serve as stepping stones between the carbohydrate feedstock and the final adipic acid product, enabling controlled transformation and simplifying the overall oxygen removal challenge.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional oxidation processes are used to convert carbohydrates to adipic acid, then the process pathway is well-established, but the efficiency and selectivity of oxygen removal remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes including temperature control, pH adjustment, and catalyst selection to optimize the oxidation reactions. By carefully controlling these parameters, the process achieves higher selectivity and efficiency in oxygen removal while maintaining an established process framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite catalytic systems that combine multiple catalysts or catalyst components to achieve synergistic effects. This composite approach enhances the efficiency of oxygen removal while building upon conventional oxidation process knowledge.
3Productivity
If multiple oxidation steps are employed to convert carbohydrates to adipic acid, then conversion efficiency is improved, but the number of process steps and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges certain process operations and combines multiple reaction steps into integrated unit operations where possible. This reduces the physical separation between steps and simplifies the overall process complexity while maintaining high conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The oxidation process is designed as a continuous or near-continuous operation where intermediate products are directly fed into the next reaction step without extensive isolation or purification in between. This continuity maintains high conversion efficiency while reducing the number of discrete process steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process enables the production of adipic acid with high purity and efficiency, allowing for the conversion into downstream chemicals like adiponitrile, caprolactam, and polyamides, leveraging biorenewable feedstocks and reducing dependence on crude oil.
Implementation Method 1
A chemocatalytic process involving the hydrodeoxygenation of glucose-derived substrates using a platinum or platinum-rhodium catalyst
Implementation Method 2
in the presence of bromine and acetic acid solvent
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are compositions of matter comprising an adipic acid product of formula (1)wherein R is independently a salt-forming ion, hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl, andat least one constituent selected from the group consisting of formula (2)wherein R is as defined above and each of R1 is, independently, H, OH, acyloxy or substituted acyloxy provided, however, that at least one of R1 is OH, and formula (3)wherein R is as above defined and R1 is OH, acyloxy or substituted acyloxy. Also disclosed are compositions of matter comprising at least about 99 wt % adipic acid and least two constituents selected from the group consisting of formula (2) and formula (3), above.