Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Perfluoropolyether Carboxylates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for separating mixtures of perfluoropolyether carboxylates with different functionalities, such as adsorption separation and chromatographic separation, are cumbersome, requiring multiple steps, leading to high solvent consumption and low yields.

Innovation Solution

A liquid-liquid extraction method is employed to separate carboxylate monofunctional perfluoropolyethers and carboxylate difunctional perfluoropolyethers, using a two-phase solvent system where the light phase contains a diluent and a polar solvent with fluorine atoms, and the heavy phase consists of a non-polar solvent with fluorine atoms and a polar solvent, allowing for efficient separation of the functional groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If adsorption separation or chromatographic separation is used to separate monofunctional and difunctional perfluoropolyether carboxylates, then separation can be achieved, but the process becomes cumbersome requiring multiple steps, leading to high solvent consumption and low yields

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation purityVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs liquid-liquid extraction utilizing phase transitions between immiscible solvent phases. The mixture is contacted with a two-phase solvent system where the monofunctional perfluoropolyether carboxylate preferentially partitions into one phase while the difunctional form partitions into the other phase, enabling separation through simple phase decantation without complex chromatographic steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the monofunctional perfluoropolyether carboxylate from the mixture using a selective solvent system. The extraction process selectively removes the monofunctional component into the extraction phase, separating it from the difunctional component that remains in the raffinate phase, thereby simplifying the separation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple adsorption and elution steps are used for separation, then separation purity can be achieved, but solvent consumption increases and yield decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation purityVSAvoidsolvent consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The method utilizes liquid-liquid phase transitions and equilibrium distribution between immiscible phases. By adjusting the solvent system composition, the monofunctional perfluoropolyether carboxylate achieves high distribution coefficient in the extraction phase, enabling high-purity separation in a single extraction step without requiring multiple adsorption-elution cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the solvent system parameters (composition, polarity, density difference) to achieve optimal distribution coefficients for selective extraction. By carefully selecting the two-phase solvent system with appropriate properties, high separation purity is achieved with minimal solvent consumption and maximum yield

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If chromatographic methods with multiple adsorption and elution steps are employed, then separation can be achieved, but the process time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation purityVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes rapid liquid-liquid phase separation instead of slow chromatographic elution processes. The immiscible two-phase system allows for quick phase separation by simple decantation or centrifugation, dramatically reducing separation time while maintaining high purity, thus significantly improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The selective extraction process removes the monofunctional component in a single contact step, eliminating the need for multiple sequential adsorption and elution operations. This single-step extraction approach maintains high separation purity while drastically reducing process time and increasing production efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The method achieves high purity (>98%) and yield (>75%) of the separated perfluoropolyether carboxylates, with a simple operation, stable process, high production capacity, and low costs, overcoming the limitations of existing separation techniques.

Implementation Method 1

A liquid-liquid extraction method is employed to separate carboxylate monofunctional perfluoropolyethers and carboxylate difunctional perfluoropolyethers, using a two-phase solvent system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid-liquid extraction: Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Data Source

PatentUS20250179246A1A liquid-liquid extraction method for separating carboxylate monofunctional perfluoropolyethers and carboxylate difunctional perfluoropolyethers
Publication Date: 2025.06.05 ZHEJIANG UNIV

AI summary

The invention discloses a liquid-liquid extraction method for separating carboxylate monofunctional perfluoropolyethers and carboxylate difunctional perfluoropolyethers, which comprises: the mixture containing monocarboxylate end-group perfluoropolyether and dicarboxylate end-group perfluoropolyether are mixed in contact with light and heavy two-phase solvent, after extraction equilibrium, the two phases were separated and the solvent is removed, and the high-purity monocarboxylate end-group perfluoropolyether is obtained in heavy phase and dicarboxylate end-group perfluoropolyether is obtained in light phase. The light phase solvent comprises a diluent and a polar solvent containing fluorine atoms. The diluent is one or more of sulfolane, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylformamide, water, ethylene glycol, acetonitrile, acetic acid, ethanol, methanol. A heavy phase solvent consists of a non-polar solvent containing fluorine atoms and a polar solvent containing fluorine atoms, or a non-polar solvent containing fluorine atoms and a non-polar solvent without fluorine atoms.