Oleic Acid Ozonolysis via Water Dispersion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for synthesizing azelaic and pelargonic acids from oleic acid using ozone face challenges in controlling exothermic reactions and require organic solvents and catalysts, making them unsuitable for industrial scale due to safety risks and high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the dispersion of water in a liquid oleic acid solution, followed by contact with gaseous ozone, which initiates an oxidation reaction without the need for organic solvents or catalysts, using high shear coefficients to maintain homogeneity and control the reaction, allowing for the simultaneous synthesis of azelaic and pelargonic acids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If organic solvents and catalysts are used for oxidative cleavage of oleic acid, then the reaction efficiency and yield are improved, but the process complexity, safety risks, and environmental impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes organic solvents and catalysts from the oxidative cleavage process, using only water and ozone. This extraction of harmful components simplifies the process while maintaining effectiveness through the high reactivity of ozone as a clean oxidizing agent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ozone, a strong oxidant, to achieve rapid and efficient oxidative cleavage of oleic acid without requiring catalysts. The high reactivity of ozone accelerates the reaction while avoiding the need for complex catalytic systems or organic solvents.
2Productivity
If strong oxidants like ozone are used for oxidative cleavage, then the reaction speed and yield are improved, but the exothermicity and safety risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary medium to moderate the exothermic reaction between ozone and oleic acid. Water acts as a heat sink and reaction medium that controls the temperature rise while allowing the oxidative cleavage to proceed efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls reaction parameters including temperature, ozone concentration, and water-to-oleic acid ratio to manage the exothermicity. By optimizing these parameters, the reaction proceeds rapidly while maintaining safe temperature levels and preventing runaway reactions.
3Reliability
If organic solvents are used to control exothermicity, then the safety is improved, but the environmental impact and process complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses water as an inert, non-flammable reaction medium that provides safety by eliminating fire hazards associated with organic solvents. Water creates a safe reaction environment while being environmentally benign, replacing harmful organic solvents completely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs water, a cheap and abundant substance, as the reaction medium instead of expensive and hazardous organic solvents. Water can be easily disposed of or recycled without environmental concern, making the process both safe and environmentally friendly.
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 achieves a high equimolar yield of azelaic and pelargonic acids with moderate energy consumption, ensuring safety and reducing environmental impact by eliminating the use of organic solvents and catalysts, while maintaining high purity and yield.
Implementation Method 1
oxidative cleavage of the double bond of an unsaturated chain of a fatty acid
Implementation Method 2
Ozone appeared very early as a powerful reagent for this oxidative cleavage reaction
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the simultaneous production of azelaic and pelargonic acids, comprising the following successive steps: (a) providing a liquid stock solution of oleic acid; (b) dispersing a quantity of water in the liquid stock solution of oleic acid provided in step (a); (c) bringing gaseous ozone into contact with the water dispersion in the liquid mother solution of oleic acid obtained in step (b). The method of the present invention can be performed without an organic solvent or catalyst, and with low energy consumption.