Borane Synthesis via Lewis Base-Borane Complex
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing dodecahydrododecaborate salts are costly and often involve the use of diborane, which is not fully utilized, leading to inefficiencies and higher production costs.
Innovation Solution
A process that uses commercially available metal hydrides and alkyl borates in the presence of a Lewis base to form a Lewis base-borane complex, which is then heated with a metal salt to produce dodecahydrododecaborate salts, significantly reducing diborane content and allowing for the recovery and recycling of alkyl borate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional methods using diborane are employed to produce dodecahydrododecaborate salts, then the production process can proceed, but the cost increases and diborane is not fully utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by substituting diborane with metal hydrides and alkyl borates as reactants. This parameter change eliminates the need for diborane handling while maintaining the production of dodecahydrododecaborate salts, thereby reducing costs and improving material utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs commercially available metal hydrides and alkyl borates as disposable reactants that can be easily obtained and used. These materials replace the expensive and hazardous diborane, allowing for a more economical and efficient production process without requiring complex diborane recovery systems
2Productivity
If diborane is used in the reaction process, then the reaction can proceed, but the process complexity and safety requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts diborane from the reaction system and replaces it with metal hydrides and alkyl borates. This extraction eliminates the safety and handling complexities associated with diborane while maintaining reaction efficiency, as the alternative reactants are commercially available and easier to handle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a Lewis base as an intermediary that facilitates the reaction between metal hydrides and alkyl borates to form the desired dodecahydrododecaborate salts. This intermediary approach allows the reaction to proceed efficiently without requiring diborane, thereby simplifying the overall process
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 provides a cost-effective method for producing dodecahydrododecaborate salts with minimal diborane content, improving yield and reducing production costs by utilizing readily available materials and enabling the recycling of by-products.
Implementation Method 1
at least one metal hydride is reacted with at least one alkyl borate B(OR)3 in the presence of at least one Lewis base to form at least one Lewis base-borane complex, L·BH3
Implementation Method 2
The Lewis base-borane complex is separated from the reaction by-product and is heated (e.g., at a temperature of about 120 to about 250° C.), with a metal salt, MX, to form dodecahydrododecaborate salts
Implementation Method 3
heated at a temperature of about 120 to about 250° C., with a metal salt, MX, to form dodecahydrododecaborate salts
Data Source
AI summary
This idea relates to the synthesis of salts of dodecahydrododecaborate B12H12 (2-). In the proposed process a metal hydride is reacted with an alkyl borate in the presence of a Lewis base to produce Lewis base-borane compex, which is thermally decomposed to produce salts of B12H12 (2-), while alkyl borare is recovered from the reaction by-product and is recycled.