Glycerol Ester Hydrogenation with Base and Transition Metal Catalyst

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for the hydrogenation of glycerol esters require high catalyst loadings, high pressures, and temperatures, and are not chemoselective, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns, as well as the destruction of valuable glycerol by-products.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the treatment of glycerol esters with a base and a transition metal catalyst in the presence of molecular hydrogen, where the base constitutes at least 7 wt% and the catalyst less than 0.05 wt% of the composition, allowing for lower catalyst loadings and safer, more efficient hydrogenation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If Cu- or Zn-based heterogeneous catalysts are used for ester reduction, then the reduction reaction can be carried out on large scale, but very high pressures and temperatures are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelarge scale production capabilityVSAvoidreaction temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the key parameters of the reaction system by introducing a base component and using a transition metal catalyst different from conventional Cu- or Zn-based catalysts. This parameter change enables the reaction to proceed at lower temperatures and pressures while maintaining large-scale production capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite catalyst system comprising a transition metal catalyst in combination with a base, creating a new catalytic system that combines the properties of both components to achieve lower reaction conditions while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If Cu- or Zn-based heterogeneous catalysts are used for ester reduction, then the reduction reaction can be carried out on large scale, but very high pressures are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelarge scale production capabilityVSAvoidreaction pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If Cu- or Zn-based heterogeneous catalysts are used for ester reduction, then the reduction reaction can be carried out, but chemoselectivity for ester reduction compared to other sensitive functional groups is problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereduction reaction efficiencyVSAvoidchemoselectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical environment by introducing a base component and using a transition metal catalyst, creating new reaction conditions that favor ester reduction while preserving other sensitive functional groups, thereby improving chemoselectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If glycerol esters are directly reduced, then the process is simplified, but glycerol is reduced to propylene glycol which destroys the valuable glycerol by-product

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess complexityVSAvoidglycerol by-product

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the reaction parameters by introducing a base and using a transition metal catalyst, creating selective reaction conditions that enable direct reduction of glycerol esters while preventing glycerol reduction, thus preserving the valuable glycerol by-product

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The base component acts as an intermediary that modifies the reaction pathway, enabling selective ester reduction while preventing unwanted side reactions that would destroy the glycerol by-product

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Reliability

If conventional catalyst loadings are used, then sufficient catalyst activity is achieved, but catalyst cost and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatalyst activityVSAvoidcatalyst loading

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the catalytic system parameters by using a transition metal catalyst in combination with a base, creating a more efficient catalytic system that achieves sufficient catalyst activity at lower catalyst loadings, reducing both cost and environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 process achieves high conversion of glycerol esters to primary alcohols with low catalyst loadings, reducing costs and environmental impact while maintaining high catalyst activity and turnover numbers, and can be performed in standard hydrogenation vessels.

Implementation Method 1

treating a composition which comprises a glycerol ester with a base and a transition metal catalyst in the presence of molecular hydrogen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

process for hydrogenation of a glycerol ester

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Data Source

PatentUS20230373890A1process

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for hydrogenation of a glycerol ester, comprising treating a composition which comprises a glycerol ester with a base and a transition metal catalyst in the presence of molecular hydrogen, wherein the base is present in at least 7 wt % based upon the total weight of said composition and wherein the catalyst is present in less than or equal to 0.05 wt % based upon the total weight of said composition.