Chromium Nitride Oxynitride Catalyst Peroxide Decomposition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current catalysts for decomposing organic peroxides, such as chromium-based and ruthenium-based systems, face issues like toxicity, carcinogenicity, metal leaching, and high costs, as well as difficulties in separation and recycling, limiting their industrial applicability and safety.

Innovation Solution

A heterogeneous catalytic system based on chromium nitrides and oxynitrides, defined by the formula CrN x O y, where x varies from 0.10 to 1.00 and y from 0.00 to 1.50, is used to decompose organic peroxides, offering economic benefits and minimizing metal leaching, allowing for easy recovery and recycling without producing toxic chromium VI effluents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chromium-based homogeneous catalysts are used for decomposing organic peroxides, then catalytic activity is achieved, but toxicity and carcinogenicity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidtoxicity and carcinogenicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful chromium VI component is extracted and removed from the catalytic system. The invention uses alternative catalysts (enzyme catalysts, heterogeneous catalysts, or organic catalysts) that do not contain chromium, thereby eliminating the toxicity and carcinogenicity while maintaining catalytic functionality for peroxide decomposition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs biodegradable and environmentally benign catalyst systems that can be easily disposed of without causing long-term environmental harm. Enzyme catalysts from plant or animal sources are particularly suited for this approach, as they are naturally degradable and non-toxic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If heterogeneous catalysts are used for decomposing organic peroxides, then separation and recycling become easier, but metal leaching occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation and recyclingVSAvoidmetal leaching
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs biodegradable catalyst materials such as enzymes from plant or animal sources that can be easily separated and disposed of without causing metal leaching pollution. These organic-based catalysts eliminate the metal leaching problem inherent in traditional heterogeneous metal catalysts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental nature of the catalyst from metal-based to organic/biological-based. By using enzymes or organic catalysts instead of metal-containing heterogeneous catalysts, the system maintains ease of separation while eliminating metal leaching through a complete material composition change

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If complex catalytic systems with metal-ligand complexes are used, then catalytic activity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidcatalytic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the complex metal-ligand components from the catalytic system. By using simple enzyme catalysts or organic catalysts without requiring complex coordination chemistry, the system achieves catalytic activity through simpler, more straightforward mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, complex metal-ligand complexes with readily available, biodegradable enzyme catalysts from plant or animal sources. These simpler catalysts reduce both the complexity of the catalytic system and the associated costs while maintaining effective catalytic performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 catalytic system effectively produces alcohols and ketones from organic peroxides with reduced toxicity and metal leaching, enabling a safer, more efficient, and economically viable process for industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

a) in the presence of at least one catalyst responding to formula I CrN x O y in which x is a number varying from 0.10 to 1.00 and y is a number varying from 0.00 to 1.50

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP3224228B1Process for the manufacture of alcohol and/or ketone from hydroperoxides
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 RHODIA OPERATIONS SAS

AI summary

Process for the manufacture of at least one alcohol and/or at least one ketone, which comprises a step during which at least one organic peroxide compound is put into contact with at least one catalyst responding to formula (I) CrNxOy Formula (I) in which x is a number varying from 0.10 to 1.00 and y is a number varying from 0.00 to 1.50, in order to produce the at least one alcohol and/or at least one ketone.