Esterified Alkane Synthesis via Photo-Catalytic Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing esterified alkanes, such as methane oxidation, require harsh conditions, high energy consumption, and result in over-oxidation, with metal catalysts being expensive and environmentally unfriendly, while existing methods for short chain alkanes conversion are inefficient and lead to resource waste.
Innovation Solution
A method using air or oxygen as an oxidant and inexpensive chlorine and nitrogen compounds as catalysts under ambient conditions and illumination, simplifying the process and reducing energy consumption, with a single-step reaction to produce esterified alkanes efficiently and selectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal catalysts are used for oxidizing short chain alkanes under high temperature and high pressure conditions, then the oxidation reaction can proceed, but the reaction conditions become harsh and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reaction parameters from high temperature and high pressure to ambient temperature and pressure conditions. This is achieved by using a photo-catalytic system with organic catalysts and visible light irradiation, fundamentally altering the energy input mode from thermal to photonic, thereby resolving the contradiction between reaction efficiency and manufacturing ease
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive metal catalysts with inexpensive organic catalysts (such as organic dyes or metal-free photocatalysts) that can be easily synthesized or obtained. These organic catalysts perform the oxidation function under mild conditions without requiring costly metal resources, addressing both cost and ease of manufacture concerns
2Productivity
If strong oxidation conditions are applied to convert alkanes to alcohols and esters, then the conversion can occur, but over-oxidation occurs leading to carbon dioxide formation and resource waste
Solution Approach 1:
The photo-catalytic oxidation system operates under mild and controlled conditions with visible light irradiation, allowing for better control of the oxidation process. The reaction can be stopped at the desired oxidation stage (alcohol or ester) without proceeding to complete oxidation to carbon dioxide, thus preventing over-oxidation losses while maintaining good conversion rates
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from thermal oxidation to photo-catalytic oxidation, the patent achieves selective oxidation under ambient conditions. The use of specific organic catalysts and controlled light irradiation allows for selective conversion to target products (alcohols or esters) without excessive oxidation to CO2, resolving the contradiction between productivity and substance loss
3Quantity of substance
If biological fermentation is used to obtain alcohols for esterification, then the desired alcohols can be produced, but the process becomes long and complex with food consumption and environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes short chain alkanes directly from natural gas or other sources, bypassing the need for biological fermentation entirely. By applying photo-catalytic oxidation to these alkane feedstocks, the process directly produces the desired alcohols and esters through a simplified one-step or two-step chemical transformation, eliminating the complex multi-step biological process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the biological fermentation system with a chemical photo-catalytic oxidation system. This substitution eliminates the need for living organisms, complex bioreactors, and downstream separation processes associated with fermentation, thereby simplifying the overall process while maintaining efficient alcohol and ester production
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 achieves high conversion of reactants with mild reaction conditions, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact, and prevents over-oxidation, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective production of esterified alkanes with improved selectivity and yield.
Implementation Method 1
mixing a gaseous alkane with oxygen or air to obtain a mixed gas; then adding the mixed gas, an acid and a solvent in sequence to carry out a reaction under ambient pressure and an illumination condition
Implementation Method 2
adding a chlorine-containing catalyst and/or a nitrogen-containing catalyst to a light-transmission reaction vessel; then adding the mixed gas, an acid and a solvent in sequence to carry out a reaction under ambient pressure and an illumination condition
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing an esterified alkane. The method includes mixing a gaseous alkane with oxygen or air to obtain a mixed gas; adding a chlorine-containing catalyst and/or a nitrogen-containing catalyst to a light-transmission reaction vessel; then adding the mixed gas, an acid and a solvent in sequence to carry out a reaction under ambient pressure and an illumination condition; and then conducting analysis to obtain an NMR yield, followed by extraction, drying, filtration, distillation under reduced pressure and separation by column chromatography to obtain an esterified alkane. The present disclosure has the advantages that the reaction can be carried out under the conditions of ambient temperature and pressure with a cheap and safe chlorine-containing compound and a nitrogen-containing compound as a catalyst and air as an oxidant, and the method has energy-saving and economic effects, convenient and safe operation and environmental friendliness.