Organopolysulfide Solid-State Synthesis Below 95°C

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing organopolysulfides and their salts require high temperatures, solvents, and catalysts, increasing production costs and making the processes less efficient.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the mixing of an organomonosulfide or its salt with elemental sulfur at temperatures not exceeding 95°C, in the absence of a liquid phase, using solid reactants and without solvents or catalysts, to produce organopolysulfides or their salts, utilizing equipment like mortars and pestles or dry blending devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional methods are used to produce organopolysulfides, then the reaction can proceed at higher temperatures with solvents and catalysts, but the production cost increases and process efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess efficiencyVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for solvents and catalysts from the conventional organopolysulfide production process. By removing these auxiliary substances, the process achieves higher efficiency and lower costs without compromising the reaction's ability to proceed effectively at reduced temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the temperature parameter from conventional high temperatures to lower temperatures (below the melting points of reactants). This parameter change, combined with the elimination of solvents and catalysts, creates a more efficient and cost-effective production process while maintaining product quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If high temperatures are used in the production process, then the reaction rate may increase, but energy consumption increases and process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction rateVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces thermal energy input (high temperature heating) with mechanical mixing energy. By using intensive mixing methods to achieve reactant contact and reaction, the process eliminates the need for high temperature energy input while maintaining effective reaction rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the temperature parameter from high to low (below melting points of reactants), fundamentally altering the energy requirements of the process. This parameter change reduces energy consumption while the reaction remains effective through improved reactant contact via mixing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If solvents and catalysts are used in the production process, then the reaction can proceed more readily, but the number of process steps increases and waste generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction reliabilityVSAvoidprocess steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes solvents and catalysts from the reaction system. This elimination simplifies the process by removing the need for separate addition, handling, and removal steps for these substances, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining reaction reliability through direct solid-state reactant interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The reactants themselves serve the function of directly interacting without requiring external facilitators like solvents or catalysts. The solid-state reactants contact and react with each other through mixing, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional process steps involving auxiliary substances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 allows for the efficient production of organopolysulfides and salts at lower temperatures without solvents or catalysts, reducing costs and improving process efficiency, while also potentially producing inorganic polysulfide salts as co-products.

Implementation Method 1

a step of mixing an organomonosulfide or salt thereof and elemental sulfur, wherein the mixing is carried out at a temperature not greater than 95°C and in the absence of any added liquid phase for a time effective to produce the organopolysulfide or salt thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3294707B1Manufacture of organopolysulfides and salts thereof
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 ARKEMA INC

AI summary

A method of producing an organopolysulfide or salt thereof is provided which includes a step of mixing an organomonosulfide or salt thereof and elemental sulfur, wherein the mixing is carried out at a temperature not greater than 95C and in the absence of any added liquid phase for a time effective to produce the organopolysulfide or salt thereof. The described method makes possible the preparation of organopolysulfides and organopolysulfide salts without the use of solvent or catalyst.