Amine-Based Carbonate Catalyst for Precipitation-Free Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing heterogeneous linear carbonate using catalysts suffer from low solubility in organic solvents and insolubility in the solvent, leading to process trouble and corrosion, and existing catalysts fail to address these issues.

Innovation Solution

A method of preparing a heterogeneous linear carbonate using an amine-based compound catalyst, which has better catalytic activity and high productivity, and catalyst precipitation is prevented by using an amine-based compound with a boiling point of 150° C. or more, allowing easy separation and high yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sodium methoxide or basic anion exchange resins are used as catalysts, then catalytic activity is achieved, but catalyst precipitation occurs causing column plugging and low productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst stabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the catalyst from traditional sodium methoxide or basic anion exchange resins to a specific amine-based compound (polyetheramine with specific molecular weight and structure). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing a catalyst that maintains high catalytic activity while achieving complete solubility in the reaction medium, preventing precipitation and column plugging, and eliminating the need for periodic regeneration, thereby significantly improving production efficiency and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite amine-based catalyst system where polyetheramine is combined with specific physical and chemical properties (molecular weight 200-400, specific structural characteristics) to create a catalyst that exhibits both high catalytic activity and excellent solubility. This composite approach with defined material characteristics resolves the contradiction between catalyst stability and productivity by preventing precipitation while maintaining high reaction rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If strongly basic anion exchange resin is used as heterogeneous catalyst, then catalyst separation is facilitated, but productivity decreases due to insufficient catalytic activity and catalyst deactivation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalyst separationVSAvoidproduction rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the catalyst type from basic anion exchange resin to amine-based compound, altering the chemical composition parameters to achieve superior catalytic activity. The amine-based catalyst maintains the heterogeneous catalyst advantage of easy separation while providing much higher catalytic activity and stability, eliminating the productivity limitation imposed by catalyst deactivation and enabling continuous high-rate production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If low boiling point amine-based compound is used as catalyst, then catalytic activity is high, but separation from products becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction rateVSAvoidproduct separation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the physical parameter of boiling point for the amine-based catalyst, selecting compounds with boiling points of 150°C or higher. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient volatility difference between catalyst and products (ethyl methyl carbonate boiling point 87°C, diethyl carbonate boiling point 126°C) to enable easy distillation-based separation, while maintaining the high catalytic activity characteristics of amine-based compounds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method achieves high catalytic activity and prevents catalyst precipitation, enabling high productivity and easy separation of desired compounds.

Implementation Method 1

performing a transesterification reaction of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethanol (EtOH) in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is an amine-based compound having a boiling point of 150° C. or more

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

since the boiling point difference from synthesized diethyl carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate is large, they can be easily separated through distillation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Data Source

PatentUS12623995B2Method of preparing heterogeneous linear carbonate using amine-based compound catalyst
Publication Date: 2026.05.12 LOTTE CHEM CORP

AI summary

The present invention is directed to providing a method of preparing a heterogeneous linear carbonate, including: performing a transesterification reaction of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethanol (EtOH) in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is an amine-based compound having a boiling point of 150° C. or more.