Desflurane Purification via Base-Catalyzed Decomposition of Chloroform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing desflurane struggle to achieve high purity due to the formation of by-products like chloroform and dichlorofluoromethane, which form an azeotrope with desflurane, making it difficult to separate them effectively.
Innovation Solution
A purification method involving the contact of desflurane with a base in the presence of water and a phase transfer catalyst, which decomposes the by-products like chloroform without affecting desflurane, allowing for high-purity desflurane production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If precision distillation is performed to remove by-products, then chlorofluoromethyl-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl ether and dichlorofluoromethane are removed, but chloroform cannot be removed due to azeotrope formation with desflurane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of chloroform (which forms an azeotrope and cannot be removed by distillation) into a beneficial process by utilizing base-catalyzed decomposition. The chloroform is decomposed into harmful components (formate and chloride ions) that can be easily separated, thereby eliminating the azeotrope problem and achieving high purity desflurane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from physical separation (distillation) to chemical transformation (base-catalyzed decomposition). By changing the chemical state of chloroform through reaction with base, the method overcomes the azeotrope limitation and enables effective removal of the by-product.
2Manufacturing precision
If base is used to decompose chloroform in the presence of water and phase transfer catalyst, then trihalomethane decomposition occurs without desflurane decomposition, but additional reagents and conditions are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary medium and phase transfer catalyst as a mediator to enable selective base-catalyzed decomposition of chloroform. These intermediaries facilitate the reaction between base and chloroform while maintaining desflurane integrity, allowing for selective purification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a selective chemical environment where only chloroform (and other trihalomethanes) undergo decomposition while desflurane remains unaffected. The base, water, and phase transfer catalyst work together to provide localized chemical transformation specific to the harmful by-products.
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 method effectively decomposes trihalomethanes like chloroform, achieving desflurane purity levels above 99.95% while maintaining desflurane integrity, meeting stringent purity requirements for safe use as an inhalation anesthetic.
Implementation Method 1
bringing a mixture containing difluoromethyl-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl ether of the formula (1) and a trihalomethane into contact with a base in the presence of water and a phase transfer catalyst, thereby decomposing the trihalomethane
Implementation Method 2
bringing a mixture containing difluoromethyl-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl ether of the formula (1) and a trihalomethane into contact with a base in the presence of water and a phase transfer catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
A purification method of desflurane (difluoromethyl-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl ether of the formula (1)) includes bringing a mixture containing desflurane and a trihalomethane into contact with a base in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, thereby decomposing the trihalomethane. By this method, only the trihalometane contained as a by-product in the desflurane is decomposed without causing decomposition of the desflurane, whereby the desflurane is obtained with high purity.