Hydrolysis Catalyst Ligand Ratio Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrocyanation processes for producing adiponitrile from butadiene face challenges in regulating the proportions of phosphorus-based ligands, particularly in maintaining optimal ratios of monodentate versus bidentate and tridentate ligands, which affects catalyst efficiency and stability due to hydrolysis reactions involving trace or controlled amounts of water.
Innovation Solution
A process involving selective hydrolysis of phosphorus-based ligands, specifically using a hydrolysis catalyst to adjust the relative ratios of monodentate, bidentate, and tridentate ligands in a ligand blend, where the catalyst is derived from the ligands themselves or added to the reaction milieu, allowing for controlled hydrolysis and separation of products to maintain favorable ligand concentrations, thereby optimizing catalyst performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If selective hydrolysis of phosphorus-based ligands is performed to adjust ligand ratios, then catalyst stability is improved, but process complexity increases due to additional hydrolysis and separation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing selective hydrolysis of phosphorus-based ligands before the main hydrocyanation reaction to pre-adjust the ligand blend composition. This preliminary adjustment ensures optimal catalyst stability from the outset, preventing degradation issues during the reaction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs extraction by separating hydrolyzed ligand products from the ligand blend using liquid-liquid extraction. This removal of unwanted hydrolysis products and adjustment of ligand ratios creates an optimized catalyst system with improved stability while managing the added process steps.
2Productivity
If ligand blend composition is adjusted to optimize catalyst performance, then catalytic activity is improved, but manufacturing precision is required to maintain optimal ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically adjusting the composition parameters of the ligand blend, specifically the ratios of monodentate to bidentate and tridentate phosphorus-based ligands. By controlling these compositional parameters and performing selective hydrolysis, the catalyst achieves optimal activity while the process manages the precision requirements through controlled chemical transformations.
3Manufacturing precision
If trace water is present to enable ligand hydrolysis, then ligand ratio control is improved, but unwanted side reactions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of trace water into a beneficial process by utilizing it for selective hydrolysis of phosphorus-based ligands. The trace water that would normally cause unwanted side reactions is instead harnessed to adjust ligand ratios controllably, transforming a potential harm into a useful tool for catalyst optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an intermediary approach by introducing a hydrolysis catalyst to mediate the interaction between trace water and phosphorus-based ligands. This intermediary catalyst enables controlled hydrolysis reactions that adjust ligand ratios while minimizing uncontrolled side reactions, managing the water-ligand interaction beneficially.
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 enables the formation of transition metal complexes with improved catalytic activity and stability for hydrocyanation reactions, enhancing the efficiency and yield of adiponitrile production by precisely controlling ligand ratios and minimizing unwanted side reactions.
Implementation Method 1
A process involving selective hydrolysis of phosphorus-based ligands, specifically using a hydrolysis catalyst to adjust the relative ratios of monodentate, bidentate, and tridentate ligands in a ligand blend
Implementation Method 2
The ligand blend can be used to form transition metal complexes, such as nickel complexes, useful for catalysis of organic reactions
Data Source
AI summary
A process of hydrolyzing a monodentate, bidentate or tridentate phosphorus-based phosphite ester ligand or ligand blend for a transition metal catalyst comprising contacting the ligand or ligand blend with a hydrolysis catalyst of the formula (R11X11)nP(OH)3-n where n is 0, 1 or 2 wherein the ligand or ligand blend comprises one or more of (i) a bidentate biphosphite ligand of formula (III), (R12—X12)(R13—X13)P—X14—Y—X24—P(X22—R22)(X23—R23), (ii) a tridentate triphosphite ligand of formula (IIIA) (R12—X12)(R13—X13)P—X14—Y—X32—P(X34—R34)—(X33—Y2—K24—P(X23—R23)—(X22—R22) or (iii) a monodentate phosphite ligand of formula (IV) P(X1—R1)(X2—R2)(X3—R3) where each X is oxygen or a bond and each Y is an optionally substituted C6-C20 arylene, followed by separation of the ligand hydrolysis products.