Copper Nickel Cobalt Catalyst for Amine Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catalysts for the hydrogenation amination of aldehydes or ketones and amination of alcohols suffer from increased decarbonylation at elevated temperatures, leading to undesirable by-products, reduced yield of economically important products like aminodiglycol and morpholine, and instability, which poses safety risks and affects product quality.
Innovation Solution
A supported catalyst comprising oxygen-containing compounds of aluminum, copper, nickel, cobalt, and tin, with additional doping of yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, or hafnium, which reduces decarbonylation reactions and enhances the selectivity and stability of the amination process, allowing for higher yields and extended catalyst service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If existing catalysts are used for hydrogenation amination at elevated temperatures, then reaction rate is improved, but decarbonylation increases leading to undesirable by-products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the catalyst composition by incorporating specific metal ratios (Cu:Ni:Co in ranges of 10-40:10-30:5-20 wt%) and adding promoters (Sn at 0.1-5 wt%, and rare earth elements at 0.1-5 wt%) to change the catalytic properties. This allows the catalyst to maintain high activity at elevated temperatures while suppressing decarbonylation reactions through altered electronic and geometric properties of the active sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite catalyst system combining multiple metal oxides (CuO, NiO, CoO) with aluminum oxide support, tin promoters, and rare earth element promoters. This composite structure synergistically combines the strengths of each component: Cu for hydrogenation, Ni and Co for amination, Sn for selectivity enhancement, and rare earth elements for stability and decarbonylation suppression, achieving both high reaction rate and low by-product formation.
2Productivity
If existing catalysts are used to increase yield of aminodiglycol and morpholine, then productivity is improved, but catalyst stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the catalyst composition parameters including metal ratios (Cu:Ni:Co), promoter amounts (Sn at 0.1-5 wt%, rare earth elements at 0.1-5 wt%), and support characteristics. These parameter changes enhance catalyst stability by creating a more robust structure that resists deactivation mechanisms such as sintering and coking, while maintaining high productivity through optimized active site distribution and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tin and rare earth elements as intermediary promoter substances that mediate between the active metal sites and the reactants/products. These promoters act as structural stabilizers that prevent metal particle aggregation and as electronic modifiers that enhance the selectivity for desired products (aminodiglycol and morpholine) while maintaining catalyst stability over extended operation periods.
3Productivity
If existing catalysts are used at elevated temperatures, then reaction efficiency is improved, but safety risks increase due to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite catalyst formulation with aluminum oxide support, multiple metal oxides (CuO, NiO, CoO), tin promoters, and rare earth element promoters. This composite structure provides thermal stability and mechanical strength, allowing the catalyst to operate safely at elevated temperatures without degradation or runaway reactions, while maintaining high reaction efficiency through the synergistic action of its components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates rare earth elements and tin promoters as stabilizing agents that preemptively cushion against catalyst instability at elevated temperatures. These promoters create a more stable catalytic environment that prevents thermal runaway and unwanted side reactions before they can occur, ensuring safe operation while maintaining high reaction efficiency.
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 catalysts exhibit improved selectivity, stability, and safety by minimizing undesirable side reactions, increasing the yield of valuable products like aminodiglycol and morpholine, and extending the catalyst's operational life, thus enhancing the economic viability of the process.
Implementation Method 1
a process for producing an amine by reacting a primary or secondary alcohol, aldehyde and/or ketone with hydrogen and a nitrogen compound selected from the group ammonia, primary and secondary Amines, in the presence of a supported catalyst containing copper, nickel and cobalt
Implementation Method 2
a supported catalyst containing oxygen before treatment with hydrogen Compounds of aluminum and / or zirconium, copper, nickel and cobalt
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing an amine by reacting a primary or secondary alcohol, aldehyde and/or ketone with hydrogen and a nitrogen compound, selected from the group containing ammonia and primary and secondary amines in the presence of a supported catalyst containing copper, nickel and cobalt. According to the invention, prior to the reduction of the catalyst using hydrogen, the catalytically active mass of said catalyst contains oxygen-containing compounds of aluminium, copper, nickel, cobalt and tin and between 0.2 and 5.0 wt. % of oxygen-containing compounds of yttrium, lanthanum, cerium and/or hafnium, each of which is calculated as Y2O3, La2O3, Ce2O3 and Hf2O3. The invention also relates to catalysts defined as above.