Alkane Multi-Sulfonic Acids Synthesis Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and limited availability of fluoroalkane sulfonic acids, which are used to enhance the acidity of sulfuric acid, are due to the complex and expensive electrochemical processes involved in their synthesis.
Innovation Solution
The development of alkane multi-sulfonic acids and their salts, which can be synthesized through a simpler and more cost-effective one-step process, and their use in forming ionic liquids with advantageous properties for various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluoroalkane sulfonic acids are synthesized through electrochemical processes, then the acidity and catalytic performance are improved, but the production cost and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using alkane multi-sulfonic acids with varying numbers of sulfonic acid groups (disulfonic, trisulfonic, tetrasulfonic) and different carbon chain lengths (C2-C9) to achieve the desired acidity and catalytic performance without requiring complex electrochemical processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, more cost-effective synthetic methods using readily available starting materials and standard chemical reactions instead of expensive electrochemical processes, making the production of sulfonic acid catalysts more economically viable
2Reliability
If fluoroalkane sulfonic acids are synthesized through electrochemical processes, then the catalytic activity is enhanced, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure by using alkane multi-sulfonic acids with different degrees of sulfonation and carbon chain lengths to optimize catalytic activity while maintaining cost-effectiveness through simpler synthesis routes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive electrochemical synthesis methods with cheaper, more straightforward chemical synthesis procedures using common reagents, significantly reducing the production cost while maintaining or improving catalytic performance
3Ease of manufacture
If alkane multi-sulfonic acids are synthesized through one-step processes, then the production cost decreases, but the range of acidity and solubility must be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically varies multiple parameters including the number of sulfonic acid groups (2-4), carbon chain length (C2-C9), and positioning of sulfonic acid groups to create a library of acids with diverse acidity and solubility characteristics, all synthesized through the same simple one-step process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal one-step synthesis method that can produce multiple types of alkane multi-sulfonic acids with different properties (acidity, solubility, molecular weight) from a single starting material class, making the process highly versatile and adaptable to different applications
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
The alkane multi-sulfonic acids provide a range of acidity and solubility, enabling their use in diverse applications and reducing production costs compared to fluoroalkane sulfonic acids, while the resulting ionic liquids exhibit beneficial properties for catalytic processes.
Implementation Method 1
Fluoroalkane sulfonic acids have been developed in order to increase the acidity of sulfuric acid
Implementation Method 2
Ionic liquids and catalyst compositions based on the alkane multi-sulfonic acids are also provided
Data Source
AI summary
Alkane multi-sulfonic acids and salts thereof are provided. In embodiments, an alkane multi-sulfonic acid or salt thereof comprises an alkyl group and at least two sulfonic acid groups, the alkane multi-sulfonic acid having a total number of carbon atoms of from 2 to 9, wherein the alkane multi-sulfonic acid does not comprise a halogen.