2-Alkyl-3-butyn-2-ol Purification via Alkali Neutralization

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing processes for producing 2-alkyl-3-butin-2-ols, such as 2-ethyl-3-butin-2-ol (EBI) and 2-methyl-3-butin-2-ol (MBI), face challenges in efficiently removing residual acetic acid and ammonium acetate, which affect the quality and hydrogenation capability of the final products, requiring additional distillation steps that increase time, energy, and costs.

Innovation Solution

Adding an alkali metal hydroxide to the reaction mixture after removing ammonia and acetone, but before extraction with a solvent like MTBE or ETBE, effectively reduces the amount of acetic acid and ammonium acetate to less than 30 ppm without additional purification steps, ensuring high product quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If additional distillation steps are used to remove acetic acid and ammonium acetate, then product purity is improved, but production time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct purityVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by adding alkali metal hydroxide to the reaction mixture before extraction, which pre-neutralizes acetic acid and converts ammonium acetate into soluble salts that can be removed in the subsequent extraction step. This prevents the need for additional distillation steps later in the process, thereby reducing production time while maintaining high product purity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the reaction mixture by introducing alkali metal hydroxide, which alters the pH and converts weak acid byproducts into soluble salts. This parameter change enables effective removal of acetic acid and ammonium acetate through extraction, eliminating the need for time-consuming distillation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If additional distillation steps are used to remove acetic acid and ammonium acetate, then product purity is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct purityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by adding alkali metal hydroxide to the reaction mixture before extraction, which pre-neutralizes acetic acid and converts ammonium acetate into soluble salts that can be removed in the subsequent extraction step. This prevents the need for additional distillation steps later in the process, thereby reducing production time while maintaining high product purity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the reaction mixture by introducing alkali metal hydroxide, which alters the pH and converts weak acid byproducts into soluble salts. This parameter change enables effective removal of acetic acid and ammonium acetate through extraction, eliminating the need for time-consuming distillation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If acid is used to neutralize alkali metal hydroxide catalyst, then catalyst deactivation is achieved, but formation of salts that are difficult to remove occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst deactivationVSAvoidsalt formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses alkali metal hydroxide as an intermediary substance that serves dual purposes: it acts as the catalyst during the reaction and then serves as a reagent to neutralize the acetic acid byproduct. This intermediary approach converts the difficult-to-remove salt problem into an easy-to-remove soluble salt, as the added hydroxide ensures complete neutralization and forms salts that remain in the aqueous phase during extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach results in EBI and MBI with excellent purity and hydrogenation capabilities, eliminating the need for extra distillation and reducing production costs and time, with acetic acid content as low as 5-26 ppm, suitable for further industrial uses.

Implementation Method 1

adding at least an alkali metal hydroxide to the reaction mixture after the removal of NH3 and of acetone and before extraction with an extraction solvent... the amount of acetic acid and ammonium acetate in the isolated EBI or MBI is less than 30 ppm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeutralization reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the salts are removed from the EBI or MBI using water and at least one extraction solvent... After this extraction step, the extraction solvent (such as MTBE or ETBE) is removed by distillation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid-liquid extraction: Liquid-Liquid Extraction