Solid Oxidation Catalyst for Epoxide Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for epoxidizing olefins using hydrogen peroxide and solid oxidation catalysts face challenges with low conversion rates and selectivity, particularly when olefins have long carbon chains.
Innovation Solution
A solid oxidation catalyst comprising a transition metal supported on a carrier composite of metal oxide and phosphonic acid is used, where the metal oxide contains phosphoric acid and the phosphonic acid has a hydrophobic organic group, enhancing catalytic activity and olefin conversion even with long carbon chains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional epoxidation catalyst (quaternary ammonium salt on activated carbon) is used, then short-chain olefins achieve high conversion rate and selectivity, but long-chain olefins experience greatly reduced catalytic activity and low conversion rate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the catalyst by replacing the conventional quaternary ammonium salt system with a heteropolyacid system containing phosphotungstic acid, phosphomolybdic acid, or silicotungstic acid. This parameter change in catalyst composition enables the catalyst to maintain high activity for long-chain olefins while preserving effectiveness for short-chain olefins, thus resolving the adaptability issue across different olefin types
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite catalyst system by combining heteropolyacid (oxidation component) with metal oxide support (structural component). This composite structure integrates the high oxidation power of heteropolyacids with the stability and surface area of metal oxide carriers, achieving both high conversion rates and broad adaptability to different olefin chain lengths
2Reliability
If existing solid oxidation catalysts are used, then the epoxidation reaction can proceed, but both olefin conversion rate and selectivity for epoxides remain low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the chemical parameters of the catalyst by selecting specific heteropolyacids (phosphotungstic acid, phosphomolybdic acid, silicotungstic acid) with appropriate oxidation potentials and acid strengths. This parameter optimization simultaneously enhances both the conversion rate and selectivity, as the heteropolyacid structure provides controlled oxidation that favors epoxide formation while maintaining high activity
Solution Approach 2:
The metal oxide support acts as an intermediary between the heteropolyacid active sites and the olefin substrates. It provides a stable surface that facilitates reactant adsorption and product desorption, thereby enhancing both conversion rate and selectivity without the support itself being consumed in the reaction
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 approach achieves high yields of epoxides with high olefin conversion rates and selectivity, effectively overcoming the limitations of previous methods by improving catalytic activity and hydrophobicity.
Implementation Method 1
the phosphonic acid has a hydrophobic organic group, enhancing catalytic activity and olefin conversion even with long carbon chains
Implementation Method 2
reacting an olefin with an oxidant in the presence of a solid oxidation catalyst, wherein the solid oxidation catalyst comprises a transition metal and a carrier that supports the transition metal
Implementation Method 3
reacting an olefin with an oxidant in the presence of a solid oxidation catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides: a method for producing an epoxyalkane capable of obtaining an epoxide in a high yield while attaining a high olefin conversion rate and a high selectivity for epoxides even when an olefin includes a long carbon chain, and a solid oxidation catalyst. The method for producing an epoxyalkane of the present invention comprises reacting an olefin with an oxidant in the presence of a solid oxidation catalyst, wherein the solid oxidation catalyst comprises a transition metal and a carrier that supports the transition metal, and the carrier is a composite of a metal oxide with a phosphonic acid.