Organic Solvent Nanofiltration for 7-Dehydrocholesterol Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods are ineffective in separating 7-dehydrocholesterol or 25-hydroxy-7-dehydrocholesterol and a higher molecular species formed in their synthesis, making it difficult to utilize both molecules for their intended purposes and the new compound of formula (V) for coloring applications.
Innovation Solution
A purification process using organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) with specific membranes and conditions to separate 7-dehydrocholesterol or 25-hydroxy-7-dehydrocholesterol from the higher molecular species, allowing for their individual use in vitamin D3 synthesis and as a colorant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If known separation techniques are used, then the separation process is simple, but the separation efficiency between 7-dehydrocholesterol and the higher molecular species is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the separation parameter from conventional techniques to organic solvent nanofiltration, which operates at the molecular level. This parameter change enables effective separation of 7-dehydrocholesterol from the higher molecular species that formed during synthesis, achieving high separation efficiency without requiring complex multi-step processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical separation techniques with membrane-based nanofiltration. The nanofiltration membrane acts as a selective barrier that separates molecules based on size and shape at the nanometer scale, substituting complex mechanical separation operations with a more efficient membrane filtration process
2Productivity
If the mixture is not separated, then the process is simpler, but both molecules cannot be utilized for their intended purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the higher molecular species from the mixture of 7-dehydrocholesterol and related compounds using nanofiltration. This extraction enables both components to be isolated and utilized for their respective purposes: 7-dehydrocholesterol for vitamin D3 synthesis and the higher molecular species as a colorant, thereby improving overall productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The nanofiltration process serves multiple functions simultaneously: it separates 7-dehydrocholesterol from the higher molecular species, purifies the vitamin D3 precursor, and concentrates the colorant compound. This multi-functionality increases productivity by enabling diverse product utilization from a single synthesis mixture
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 process achieves high separation efficiency, enabling 7-dehydrocholesterol or 25-hydroxy-7-dehydrocholesterol to be used in vitamin D3 synthesis while the higher molecular species can be used as a colorant, with minimal contamination.
Implementation Method 1
Organic Solvent Nanofiltration (OSN) is a membrane-based separation process on a molecular level
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the solution of step a) by organic solvent nanofiltration using a membrane; c) isolating the compound of formula (I) from the permeate obtained from step b)
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
AI summary
The present invention relates to the purification of 7-dehydrocholesterol or 25-hydroxy-7-dehydrocholesterol or their OH-protected forms, respectively. It has been found that the process using organic solvent nanofiltration allows an efficient reduction of the amount of a new higher molecular compound which is formed in a 5 new synthesis process of of 7-dehydrocholesterol or 25-hydroxy-7-dehydrocholes- terol or their OH-protected forms in small amounts. Said new higher molecular compound can be used as colorant.