HFO-1132 Isomerization via Light Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1132(Z) are inefficient when only one isomer is desired, as they produce both isomers together and require the use of corrosive iodine, making equipment management difficult and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method involving light irradiation with wavelengths between 10 nm and 400 nm to perform isomerization between HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1132(Z) in a reactor, allowing for the separation and recycling of desired isomers, eliminating the need for iodine and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional dehydrofluorination method is used to produce HFO-1132, then both HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1132(Z) are produced together, but production efficiency is low when only one isomer is desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs isomerization conversion before final product isolation, converting the unwanted isomer into the desired isomer in advance. This preliminary action allows the process to start with a mixture and end with high purity of a single isomer, eliminating the need for complex separation and reducing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing specific additives (iodine compound and carboxylic acid compound) that alter the isomerization behavior of the mixture. These parameter changes enable selective conversion of one isomer to another, allowing efficient production of the desired isomer from the mixture.
2Ease of manufacture
If iodine is used as catalyst for isomerization, then isomerization can be performed, but equipment management becomes difficult due to corrosiveness and low sublimation point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carboxylic acid compound as an intermediary substance that mediates between the iodine catalyst and the equipment. This intermediary forms a complex with iodine, reducing its direct corrosive effect on equipment while maintaining catalytic activity, thus easing equipment management requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite catalytic system combining iodine compound and carboxylic acid compound. This composite approach allows the system to maintain the catalytic benefits of iodine while mitigating its harmful properties through the protective role of the carboxylic acid compound.
3Ease of manufacture
If both HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1132(Z) are produced together, then dehydrofluorination is simple, but cost increases when only one isomer is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful aspect of producing unwanted isomers into a benefit by using the unwanted isomer as a starting material for isomerization. Instead of discarding or separately processing the unwanted isomer, the method transforms it into the desired isomer, turning a waste product into a valuable resource.
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 efficiently increases the content of HFO-1132(E) while decreasing HFO-1132(Z), enabling cost-effective production and utilization of HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1132(Z) in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
perform isomerization between HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1132(Z) by irradiating the composition with light having a wavelength of 10 nm or more and 400 nm or less
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for efficiently obtaining HFO-1132(E) and/or HFO-1132(Z). The method includes supplying a composition containing HFO-1132(E) and/or HFO-1132(Z) to a reactor to perform isomerization between HFO-1132(E) and HFO-1132(Z) by irradiating the composition with light.