Ni-Al-V-Co Metal Complex Catalyst for Thymol Hydrogenation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for synthesizing L-menthol through racemized menthol splitting face challenges in efficiently converting D-menthol and other isomers into racemized menthol, resulting in low yields and high production of unwanted isomers, due to limitations in chiral catalysts and reaction control.
Innovation Solution
A metal complex catalyst comprising Ni, Al, V, and Co, prepared through specific treatment steps involving sodium hydroxide and vanadium/cobalt nitrates, is used in hydrogenation and isomerization reactions to enhance the yield of D,L-menthol, improving catalytic efficiency and reducing by-product formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional Raney nickel catalyst is used for hydrogenation, then the process is simple and well-established, but the D,L-menthol content and catalytic efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite catalyst material by combining Ni-Al alloy with vanadium and cobalt components to create a multi-metal complex catalyst. This composite structure enhances catalytic efficiency and D,L-menthol content beyond what conventional single-metal Raney nickel can achieve, directly resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity.
2Productivity
If thymol hydrogenation is used to synthesize racemized menthol, then the reaction pathway is established, but high proportions of unwanted isomers are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes key reaction parameters including using optimized catalyst composition (Ni-Al-V-Co), controlling reaction temperature (180-210°C), and managing hydrogen pressure (20MPa) to improve selectivity toward racemized menthol while suppressing unwanted isomer formation, thereby increasing L-menthol yield and reducing harmful by-products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific active sites on the catalyst surface through the Ni-Al alloy structure modified with vanadium and cobalt. These localized catalytic centers provide different activity levels for various reaction pathways, enabling selective hydrogenation to racemized menthol while minimizing unwanted isomer formation.
3Productivity
If D-menthol and other isomers are converted to racemized menthol through existing methods, then the conversion process is established, but the efficiency is low and requires repeated translation cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes reaction conditions including temperature (180-210°C), pressure (20MPa), and catalyst composition to achieve high conversion efficiency in a single cycle. The improved catalytic system enables complete isomer conversion to racemized menthol without requiring repeated translation cycles, significantly reducing production time.
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 metal complex catalyst achieves higher D,L-menthol content and reduces non-usable by-products, with D,L-menthol yields exceeding 99% and optimal isomer ratios, demonstrating improved reaction activity and product purity.
Implementation Method 1
a metal complex catalyst, comprising the following elements of weight percentages: Ni 70-85%, Al 8-10%, V 5-10%, Co 2-10%
Implementation Method 2
the method for isomerically synthesizing D,L-menthol for other seven isomers of L-menthol
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a metal complex catalyst, its preparing method and its application in preparing D,L-menthol, the metal complex catalyst includes weight percent elements as follows: 70-85% of Ni, 8-10% of Al, 5-10% of V, and 2-10% of Co. When this metal complex catalyst is applied in preparing D,L-menthol through thymol hydrogenation, it has the characteristics of high reaction activity and quick racemization of chiral compound. Meanwhile, a certain kind of alkali added in isomerization is the key to reducing light constituent byproduct. The whole process comes in good reaction selectivity, simple preparing technology, low production cost, and environment-friendly synthetic route.